Earl K. Wood dies, ending almost five decades in office

The death of Wood, who in recent years often used a wheelchair and rarely went to the office, will require Democrats to name a successor-candidate within a week – and is certain to revive a years-old debate over whether the elected position should be abolished.

Orange County Tax Collector Earl K. Wood died early Monday morning at the age of 96 , setting off a scramble among Democrats to decide who would run for the post he'd held for 11 consecutive four-year terms.

Among the Democrats considering or being asked to run for the post and its $151,000 salary: Orange County Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell; former Orlando Commissioner Phil Diamond; accountant Rod Eddins; former School Board member Jim Martin, and state Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando.

Russell, Randolph and Eddins said they were "interested" in the job, and Martin said he'd been "approached" about it. Diamond couldn't be reached.

Randolph, who is also the Orange Democratic party chairman, said a party leadership committee must vote for a replacement to send to election officials by Monday. That candidate must also come up with a $9,065 filing fee, he said, to qualify to face Republican Jim Huckeba.

But Wood's name will remain on the Nov. 6 ballot – and local pols speculated that his name recognition with voters could power one final, if posthumous, election win.

Wood died at his home early Monday morning, said his top deputy, Kelly Goodwin. "He just went peacefully," she said. "It's a sad day."

For nearly five decades, the feisty Wood had defended keeping his office as an elected post, even as he spent less time there and his health issues grew. Critics had pointed to those absences, and argued that an office whose primary function is handling vehicle tag renewals and property tax payments no longer needed an elected politician at the helm.

To the end though, Wood insisted that he made all major decisions and promoted his services during off hours, whether at Toastmasters International and Shriners meetings, or even at his favorite fast-food haunts.

"For 45 years we've balanced to the penny, and we've been there for the people," Wood said in a 2011 interview. "I love my job, as you know."

Regardless of who wins Nov. 6, the future of the office is uncertain.

Mayor Teresa Jacobs appointed a task force to study overhauling – and possibly abolishing -- the position Wood held for 48 years. In one of his last public appearances in August, Wood attended but declined to address that panel, saying it was a waste of time: "We've been debating this since the 1960s."

Despite those differences, Jacobs praised Wood's public work: "Orange County has lost a man whose enduring legacy will be that of public service and dedication to community," she said in a statement.