Retired legislator Debbie Wood honored by City of Lanett

Following the early retirement this year of State Representative for District 38 Debbie Wood there was an honorary plaque presented to her in appreciation of her service at the Lanett City Council meeting on Monday evening of October 6th. Councilwoman Angelia Thomas introduced Wood with remarks related to their past work together.

"It is my pleasure to present this plaque to my past employer and my current friend, State Representative Debbie Wood. She has been a vital friend for the City of Lanett at the state capitol. Here are just a few things she has done for the City of Lanett. She has given over fifty-two thousand dollars to the Lanett City Schools. Over three million dollars to our community for the lights at the bridge repair at exit seventy-nine."

Thomas went on to present the honorary plaque to Wood. "In recognition and thankfulness to State Representative Debbie Wood for your tireless efforts and commitment to the City of Lanett in district thirty-eight. With sincere gratitude for the work that you have done including the exit seventy-nine lights, student scholarships, Juneteenth grants, senior center computer lab and other countless contributions to this community. We thank you from the mayor and the members of the city council. We give this to you today, Monday October the sixth twenty twenty-five."

Wood then spoke before the council and expressed her appreciation. "It has been such an honor to serve along people that are so passionate about their community, all of you. This lady knows all my secrets. When you work with someone for as long as we did. Angelia actually took care of my office."

Sharing accolades with her partners in the Lanett City Council was a sentiment expressed by Wood. "I am so thankful. All these things that she said on here, we did it together didn't we? It wasn't me. I want to tell you, I think Lanett has some great days ahead. Thanks to all of you for your service."

Another key topic of focus for Wood was the nature of District 38 and how it has changed over the years. "In 2018 when I was elected, I was shocked because the only part of Lanett that was in my district was West Shawmut. The city was not in my district, the municipal building was not in my district, the Chambers County Courthouse was not in my district. District 38 was built for Chambers County. Because of population and some things that we were not paying attention to, we lost some of our vote to Lee County. When we had the redistricting, I fought for Lanett. I wanted Lanett to be represented. Now, all of Lanett up to North 18th street is in district 38."

Due to Wood retiring before her current term coming to an end there will be a special election this month to decide who the Republican candidate will be to replace her in the general election next year which she touched on. "We need representation at home. It is important that you know that October the 21st is when you get to go and reelect someone to serve district 38. Please go to the polls. It is going to be the only thing on the ballot. You have the opportunity to get someone from home to represent you."

Wood went on to fully endorse her candidate of choice to replace her. "Everyone says don't ever endorse the incoming candidate because if you have done something that someone hasn't liked they may hold that against the person coming in. Well, hogwash. Kristin Nelson is here and she is local and she is running. She is the only local person running for district 38 from Chambers County that lives here. Please go vote for this primary and put her in because we need someone that understands us. We are different."

Councilwoman Tamalita Dunn Autry praised wood during her remarks. "Thank you to Debbie Wood to all you have continued to do and you will continue to do. I know that you have trained the next person in line very well."

Councilwoman Thomas expanded on her earlier remarks during her allotted time. "You weren't a politician, you were actually here for the people, for our area. I don't work for her no more so I ain't kissing her tail. I can say that she really cared for everybody. It wasn't a political thing with her. It wasn't a republican or democratic situation with Debbie. She cared for the people. Whenever she saw a need, I thank God that she went for the right thing, she didn't go for the political stance. I think that is why she kind of stood out there at the state capitol. They either loved her or hated her because she did not go for just the political side. She went for the right side."

Councilman Tifton Dobbs shared his own set of praise for Wood. "Not only do you bring money to our city, but you keep money in our city. We just want to thank you for things you don't say publicly. I know you aren't trying to look for accolades. What you do, you do it because you love this area in Chambers County, district 38. We just want to thank you for the work that you did and we hope that your continued successor do the same thing."