He is young, he is still...

He is young, he is still in school, he rents and he is ready to

lead the city.

Planning Commissioner and City Council candidate Bill Perkins pays

no mind to those who call him green, saying he feels fortunate to

have realized his passion for city government sooner rather than

later.

“I am where everybody else was 30 years ago and that is nothing to

be ashamed of,” Perkins said. “Just because I am young and want to

get involved should not be seen as a bad thing.”

Perkins said he can bring a fresh attitude to the council that has

been lacking in previous years. His youth and optimism bring a

mind-set of compromise and tolerance to the dais, while incorporating

a zealous drive for success, he said.

The council hopeful has already garnered a seat on the Planning

Commission, which he said gives him invaluable knowledge of city

workings and politics. And though his political career is relatively

new -- he’s been on the commission for two years -- Perkins has

formulated what he believes to be the tried-and-true characteristics

of a good leader.

A leader must have faith in himself, his fellow council members

and his constituents to get things done for the good of all involved,

Perkins said. If elected, he would strive to establish trust with

residents, city staffers and other members so the community can feel

confident in its leadership, he said.

The second component he looks to bring to the city’s leadership is

“single-mindedness.” Perkins said leaders must be focused on a task

so they will “not drop the ball.” For example, had the council been

persistent about finding an alternative site for a skate park after

the Charle Street location was voted down, the city would have one by

now. Perkins said follow-through is something he would strive to

bring to the dais.

Piggybacked on that are two more “mindednesses.” Open-mindedness

and willingness to listen to the community, to his fellow leaders and

to city staff members, he said. Too many politicians are unbending in

their ideas about what is right, and as a result lose out on

potentially helpful information, he said.

“It’s almost like humility,” Perkins said. “And you don’t find

that trait in a lot of politicians.”

And last but not least, Perkins values responsibility. A city

councilman should be held accountable for his actions and be

unashamed to stand up for what he believes is right but also willing

to admit when he is wrong, Perkins said.

What Perkins lacks in years, he makes up for in character and

gusto, he said. He has a clear-cut vision of city leadership and

wants a chance to prove it.