RICHARD WILKINS ALIVE
Former Mayor "recuperating" since 1999, looks to return to politics
By KENT CLARKSON
Slayer Chronicle Special Report
SUNNYDALE, CA -- Former Sunnydale Mayor Richard Wilkins III made a startling return to public life on Thursday after being presumed dead for six years.
Wilkins released a brief statement through the Sunnydale City Council saying that he had been "recovering from severe injuries" the past six years.
"My injuries were extensive and quite severe, but thanks to some top-notch medical care, I've been declared fit as a fiddle," read the statement.
Wilkins himself was not present at the hastily-called press conference. But members of the City Council confirmed that Wilkins was indeed alive and well, putting aside their obvious shock to address the media.
"Seeing [the former mayor] again was kind of a gut-punch," said Councilman Ray Logan. "We had all believed the worst."
"Today...well, it's a day I certainly never saw coming," said Councilwoman Renee Sheridan.
Wilkins was presumed dead in the aftermath of the destruction of Sunnydale High School in 1999. He had been on hand to deliver a commencement speech to the graduating class when several rival gangs converged on the school.
The incident claimed the lives of several students and their parents. It was thought Wilkins had perished in the ensuing explosion that destroyed the school.
"My advisers and I thought it best to keep things low-key, in the event that the attack had been directed at me," Wilkins explained in his statement. "But after so long, I thought it was time to come back to the city my family helped build from the ground up."
"Sometimes it's best to confront your demons head-on," Wilkins added.
There was nothing said directly about Wilkins attempting to re-claim the office of Mayor that he held at the time of his disappearance. When Wilkins was presumed dead, Deputy Mayor David Espenson stepped into the office on an interim basis until the next election.
"Perhaps I'll find other avenues by which to further serve the people of Sunnydale," Wilkins said in his statement. "Or I could re-open old avenues."
"The future is wide open," he said.
By KENT CLARKSON
Slayer Chronicle Special Report
SUNNYDALE, CA -- Former Sunnydale Mayor Richard Wilkins III made a startling return to public life on Thursday after being presumed dead for six years.
Wilkins released a brief statement through the Sunnydale City Council saying that he had been "recovering from severe injuries" the past six years.
"My injuries were extensive and quite severe, but thanks to some top-notch medical care, I've been declared fit as a fiddle," read the statement.
Wilkins himself was not present at the hastily-called press conference. But members of the City Council confirmed that Wilkins was indeed alive and well, putting aside their obvious shock to address the media.
"Seeing [the former mayor] again was kind of a gut-punch," said Councilman Ray Logan. "We had all believed the worst."
"Today...well, it's a day I certainly never saw coming," said Councilwoman Renee Sheridan.
Wilkins was presumed dead in the aftermath of the destruction of Sunnydale High School in 1999. He had been on hand to deliver a commencement speech to the graduating class when several rival gangs converged on the school.
The incident claimed the lives of several students and their parents. It was thought Wilkins had perished in the ensuing explosion that destroyed the school.
"My advisers and I thought it best to keep things low-key, in the event that the attack had been directed at me," Wilkins explained in his statement. "But after so long, I thought it was time to come back to the city my family helped build from the ground up."
"Sometimes it's best to confront your demons head-on," Wilkins added.
There was nothing said directly about Wilkins attempting to re-claim the office of Mayor that he held at the time of his disappearance. When Wilkins was presumed dead, Deputy Mayor David Espenson stepped into the office on an interim basis until the next election.
"Perhaps I'll find other avenues by which to further serve the people of Sunnydale," Wilkins said in his statement. "Or I could re-open old avenues."
"The future is wide open," he said.