Two Durham politicians presented a brief history of the city Thursday, but they made sure to emphasize its future and its connection to Duke.
State Rep. Larry Hall, D-Durham, and Mayor Pro Tempore Cora Cole-McFadden examined obstacles to and advantages of the establishment of a strong association between the University and the Bull City in a discussion Thursday titled “Discussing the state of Durham and the Duke-Durham relationship.”
One major challenge to Duke students’ political involvement in local and national elections is the GOP-proposed Voter ID Act, the two officials told an audience of about 20 people, including members of Duke Student Government.
Hall and Cole-McFadden explained that 700,000 people in the state are registered to vote but have no government-issued identification or driver’s license. Students, younger voters and senior citizens make up the majority of this group. The law would affect Duke voter turnout because DukeCards and out-of-state identifications would not be accepted, they said.
“This is cold-blooded politics,” Hall added.
The collaboration between Duke and Durham has, however, produced several successes, Cole-McFadden said, citing projects that are beneficial to both sides, including the Bull City Connector and the Durham Performing Arts Center, both of which Duke contributed to financially.
She added that although 400 Duke students volunteer in Durham public schools, she would like to see even more volunteer in other ways.
“Too many children are suffering from the breakdown of the family structure,” Cole-McFadden said. “We need mentors, positive role models.”
Duke students at the event said they were interested in the state of the city. Audience members asked the officials about how the economy was affecting Durham.
“Some of the same situations you see in Wisconsin and Indiana are what we are dealing with, but we’re in better financial shape,” Hall said.
The two speakers also emphasized the city’s dynamic nature and the significant economic and cultural advances that have been made in recent years.
“In the last ten years, we have made more progress than any elected city council in the history of Durham,” Cole-McFadden said. “We’re no longer that little town—we’re the great city of Durham.”
Junior Daren Miller said the speech encouraged him to get involved with the city’s legislative process. He added that he felt the officials were approachable and made him feel like a Durham resident.
Sophomore Alex Swain, a DSG senator for Durham and regional affairs, planned the event, which was a part of the Duke and Durham Conversation Series. A Durham resident, she said a goal of the discussion was to enable students to interact with the city’s elected officials.
“It’s important that our voices be heard,” she said.
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Alex Swain is a member of the Duke Office of Durham and Regional Affairs. Swain is a Duke Student Government senator for Durham and regional affairs. The Chronicle regrets the error.
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