At age 23, Sacramento State student James Wood is the youngest candidate running in the election for Citrus Heights city councilman.

Even though he feels that other candidates will not take him seriously, Wood is strong-minded towards giving back to his city. Wood said he wants to be part of the city?s growth and a good way to do that is by being active in the community.

“There?s a lot of apathy in people our age, and we need to make the whole process real for kids,” he said. ” We need to let them know that not only can we vote, but we can be a part of the process.”

One of Wood?s concerns about Citrus Heights is that it lacks cultural growth. He said he feels there is a need for the city to support expression through music and art because it helps children in the learning process. Wood says his experience working with children in both junior high and high school has given him the incentive to promote innovation on the council.

“Everyone has their own issues,” Wood said, “but mine is cultural growth.”

Wood has noticed a “mindset of mediocrity” on the council. He said that the members have grown accustomed to the decision-making process and that there has not been a fresh view of the city?s issues. Wood believes that he can “encourage exploitation of all possible ideas.”

“You have to think outside the box,” Wood said. He also considers that “encouraging argumentation is good for growth” because it introduces new ideas that everyone can learn from.

Wood said his concern is for the people, not the physical features of Citrus Heights, which have been of concern to the council.

“Great cities aren?t remembered for their nicely-paved roads,” Wood said. “They are remembered by how fun it was or if it was a good cultural place to be.”

He wants to reach out to teens and young families because they are more in need of attention than some other issues the council deals with. As a 23-year-old, Wood says he has an advantage when it comes to understanding issues that the new voting generation is involved with. Also, as a history major that will be graduating in December from Sacramento State, Wood knows enough to continue associating with the other council members.

There are some things that Wood is getting accustomed to, such as financial matters.

Wood said that what he didn?t know about the election process is that “everyday there is another expense.”

“I?ve been paying for everything out of my own pocket,” he said. Wood will soon be fund raising in order to keep his campaign on top of things, he said.

The candidates have not had a chance to really meet with each other and according to Wood, they don?t know where everyone stands on certain issues.

Michael Labrada, a graduate of Sac State who is one of the candidates running for the same seat, has been through hundreds of campaigns. He feels that age is definitely a factor in the race.

Experience comes with age, and Wood “hasn?t done anything yet,” he said.

“To my knowledge, he has not participated in City activities or meetings prior to filing as a candidate,” said Roberta MacGlashan, a city council member.

Having a lot of experience may be important, but for Wood, his involvement in the community is essential. Wood said his involvement with children has been a key factor to why he has decided to run.

“He also testified in favor of a proposed teen club at our Aug. 9 meeting. He seems to be very pleasant and well spoken,” MacGlashen said.

So far, the election has been real low-key, according to Wood. There are only two spots open for council members, but there are five people in the running.

The candidates include Wood, Labrada, MacGlashan, William Hughes and James Umbach.

Wood said he has not really thought about what he will do if the results don?t turn out the way he expects, but that his involvement in the community is a top priority.

“There are things that are more important than me,” he said. “I want my life to matter, and I can do that through serving the community. I get joy and peace out of it.”

He sees the election as another step in his life where he can encourage creativeness and bring new important issues to the community.

To be a good councilman, Wood said that dedication is important.

“My heart is in bringing greatness to the city,” Wood said.