What sets me apart from the other Candidates

By William W. "Bill" Wilkins

My broad background has given me a unique perspective, that sets me apart from all other candidates in this race.

I have 34 years of career experience in local government service and management, and know how government should operate. I have participated in the local government budget process from both the management and labor side of the table. I have career experience in the public sector real estate acquisition and sales process and was in charge of a real estate asset program with five professional staff members that generated between $3,000,000 and $6,000,000 in surplus real estate land sales per year, and a real estate rental asset program that produced $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 per year for the City of Oakland and Redevelopment Agency. I was also direct supervisor of an acquisition program that purchased from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 per year in real estate holdings.

I was directly involved in the efforts by the Oakland City Manager's Office to reduce the annual budget deficits in the City of Oakland by the generation of additional revenue and reduction of costs through reduction of private office space occupied by City staff.

I served on the Local Board of Directors for Local 21, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Oakland Chapter for the Engineers Unit and the Management Unit. As a member of the local, I was directly involved in the negotiation of labor contracts for 500 members of the union and the city. I know how labor contracts work, as I have sat at the negotiation table.