"It feels good to be affirmed by the people of Durham," said Mayor Leo Williams. "This is going to be two years of total results. I'm looking forward to expanding the Bull City Future Fund. I'm looking forward to the crime reduction plan. I'm looking forward to our homeless reduction plan, the economic plan and development plan."
Bull City voters elected him to another two years in office. He believes his biggest accomplishment during his first term as mayor was launching the Bull City Future Fund, which is an effort aimed at tackling youth violence.
Williams said fundraising efforts are already underway to distribute the second round of funding to local nonprofits. He told Eyewitness News that the city council is set to hear a proposal tomorrow that could address gun violence by partnering up with the school district, city and county.
"So for the first time, all three major governing bodies, as well as the public and private sector, will have involvement in a holistic crime reduction," said Williams.
Wards 1 and 2 incumbents DeDreana Freeman and Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton were not re-elected. Matt Kopac and Shanetta Burris were elected to serve those districts. Middleton said this loss didn't come as a surprise.
"I'm going to play until the buzzer goes off. I'm going to run the clock. Still a lot a important issues to deal with," said Mark-Anthony Middleton."Surprise would imply that you feel entitled and you got it in the bag. Anyone who's been in politics as long as I've been around knows that you don't celebrate and you don't concede until votes are counted. So, not a surprise."
Middleton lost his seat to Shanetta Burris, who refers to herself as a servant leader. She told Eyewitness News that relationship-building led to her campaign success, as she was the lowest fundraising candidate.
"I'm grateful to be part of a community where people were able to mobilize and get the change they desire," said Shanetta Burris. "I look forward to moving forward with the rest of the members of council and making sure we do the best to address the issues of Durham's residents.
Mayor Williams would be stating who he's selected to be his mayor pro-temp. The new council members will be sworn in on Monday, December 1.
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