Woo Mulling Over Options for Life After City Council

When Los Angeles Councilman Michael Woo arrived for his last day on the job Wednesday, a workman had already peeled his name off the office door.

“Councilman Michael Hernandez, First District” said the new gold-leaf lettering on the entrance to Woo’s second-floor suite.

It was a small, final indignity for the vanquished mayoral candidate--a blunt reminder that City Hall moves to the rhythm of winners and survivors.

Woo shrugged it off: “It just means this is coming to an end.”

The 41-year-old broke an ethnic political barrier eight years ago when he became the first Asian-American City Council member. He fast became a leading political figure among Asian-Americans across the country, a rising star.

But after unsuccessfully reaching for leadership of the nation’s second-largest city, Woo was left Wednesday to contemplate a future outside the corridors of official power. And it was unclear what path he would take.

He said he might go into business--a notion his wife has encouraged--or might try something on local television or radio to maintain his name identification. Or he might teach classes on urban issues at a local university.

“I’m not ruling anything out,” Woo said.

There has been speculation that he might land an appointment in the Clinton Administration, and Woo said he spoke with the President last week. But he declined to say what was discussed.

“Literally, I’m still decompressing from the campaign,” he said.

He said his life was consumed by his yearlong, nearly $5-million race to replace Mayor Tom Bradley--and that the campaign is hard to leave behind.

To the very end, Woo said, he clung to the belief that he could defeat businessman Richard Riordan, who is to be sworn in as mayor today.

“I think it was very difficult for (Woo),” said Rick Ruiz, an aide to the councilman. “I don’t think he has recovered completely. . . . It was an unbelievably grueling campaign, physically and emotionally.”

Woo and his wife took a short vacation to Ojai after the election. He recalled that while sleeping one night at his hotel, “I literally started giving my campaign stump speech from beginning to end.”

After a brief stop in the office Wednesday morning, Woo made a final trek up the marble stairs to the third-floor City Council chambers for a farewell ceremony for departing council members.

Amid applause, tears, hugs and presentations of ornate resolutions, Woo and council members Ernani Bernardi, Joy Picus and Joan Milke Flores were praised for their government service.

Although never particularly close to his colleagues, Woo drew a few deep breaths, stepped to the microphone and expressed his deep gratitude to other council members. “I wouldn’t exchange it for anything,” he said, adding that he will continue to be involved in public issues.

Woo stood with Flores and Picus during a poignant close to the ceremony: 81-year-old Bernardi, a onetime Big Band musician, hoisted a saxophone and joined a live band in a lilting rendition of “Stardust.”

Woo went out Wednesday much as he came in, pushing a cause dear to the environmentalists and liberals who have supported him over the years. As his last public act as a councilman, he won approval of a series of recommendations to help maintain the city’s public trees.

During the meeting, Woo said he did not plan to attend Riordan’s swearing-in ceremony. “There isn’t really a role for me in this inauguration,” he said.

As admirers and colleagues filed by to offer regards, a youngster visiting the council chambers with his father lit up when he saw Woo.

“Hey. I’ve seen you in a commercial,” said 9-year-old Marvin Lea.

Woo lit up, too.