Carol Wood

At Large Councilmember

Carol Wood has been a member of the community and involved in neighborhood issues long before being elected to Lansing City Council. She made a decision to run for elected office based on her ability to continue to help neighborhoods in Lansing. Carol first ran for office in 1997 narrowing losing to the 4th Ward Councilmember Michael Murphy. After encouragement both from the community and other elected officials including Councilmember Murphy, Carol Wood ran in 1999 for the At-Large seat, which was open. She was elected to Council in November of 1999, November 2003 and Carol won a third term to Council on November 6, 2007.

As a Councilmember, Carol has served in her first term as Vice President in 2002, and President of Council in 2003. She also has sat on every Council Committee and also chaired every committee within City Council.

Carol grew up in the Lansing area attending Michigan Avenue Elementary School, Genesee Street Elementary School, graduating from West Junior High School, as well as graduating from J. W. Sexton. Carol also took some college classes at the University of Anchorage.

After graduating in 1968, Carol Wood moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where she worked for the State of Alaska Public School Library Division. The Department was responsible for ordering, cataloging, and shipping materials to all School libraries in Alaska.  In 1970 during her stay in Anchorage she married.  In 1972, Carol and her family moved back to Lansing and became residents on the south side.  She is the proud mother of two sons, married for 31 years and is divorced.

Carol's sons have now married and each has given her a granddaughter. Jason, and his daughter Emily, are stationed with the Air Force in Panama City, Florida.  Christopher, his wife Nikki, and daughter live in Wyoming near Grand Rapids. Carol likes to spend time with nearest granddaughter when her busy schedule allows, as well as receiving pictures from her family in Florida.

In 1989 Carol moved back on the very block she grew up on, right next door to her family home. On this block alone, three other members of families moved back to the very block they called home; either their parents' homes, or homes on the block they grew up.

Carol became very active in neighborhood issues working side by side with her mother Ruth Hallman, to make a difference in the community. That difference included changes to the Housing Code as well as helping to implement team policing with the Lansing Police Department. The Neighborhood Watch # 120 and Genesee Neighborhood Association have 400 housing units within its boundaries. In 1988 out of the 400, there was documentation with the Lansing Police Department that 137 were involved with drug activity. Today, there are less than 6 properties with the same distinction. This was an effort of neighbors, Community Police Officers, and Code Compliance Officers, along with Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, which turned rental back into home ownership for, low to moderate-income people.

Carol has held the office of President or Chair with many community based organizations, and as well as giving tireless hours as an organizer, and member.

Carol continues to serve on different Boards and Commissions based on her community involvement as well as her role as a City Councilmember. Carol actively works to develop programs, services, as well as changing legislation to help neighborhoods become stable and stay stable. This will attract and keep residents in Lansing.

In her spare time Carol has started a business "CEW Consultant".  Carol has used her knowledge in working with such clients as MSU Criminal School of Justice to LCC Dental Program.

When asked about her accomplishments, Carol is first to admit that she has never accomplished anything on her own. It has always taken others, working together, to bring about successful changes.

Carol also host a blog at http://carolwood.posterous.com where she looks for you comments, suggestions, and concerns to help in creating a better government for Lansing.

Carol Wood serves on the following Committees and Boards:
• Chair of the Committee on Ways & Means
• Chair of the Committee on Public Safety

• Member of the Committee on General Services

• Member of the Employees Retirement Board

• Member of the Police and Fire Retirement Board

• Member of Tri-County Regional Planning Comm.
• Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan
• Community Corrections Advisory Board
City Council Office:   (517) 483-4188      
City Council Fax:       (517) 483-7630
Home:                        (517) 482-0213
Email:                         cwood@lansingmi.gov