Wildes was elected president pro tempore of the Englewood city council in 2000. He was the first member of the council to oppose the construction of a Home Depot in Englewood (planned for building in 2000), citing environmental, sanitation, and beautification factors, as well as the local public outcry against the construction retailer. "I listen to my constituents, and their voices are loud and clear against the construction project", Wildes said at the time. He was the only member of the council to support a democratically elected school board, rather than an appointed one. The Suburbanite called him "the most activist [city councilman] in the city's history, giving the impression of never being off duty and never wishing to be off duty." Wildes was reelected to a second term on the city council in 2000.
