"DURHAM
City Council • Ward II: Sylvester Williams. We were all set to endorse Howard Clement for what would hopefully be his final term. But after we read about Williams' stand against the resolution supporting same-sex marriage, we knew we had our man. If Williams, who was endorsed by Amalgamated Transit Union 1328, can be so bold, we think he would serve the residents of east Durham well."
DURHAM - Sylvester Williams, pastor of the Assembly at Durham Christian Center, is now a politician. Williams recently announced his candidacy for the Ward 2 City Council seat.
"I believe with new leadership we can reduce the growing disparity between Durham's neighborhoods, reduce unemployment in our inner city and create a new environment where all Durham citizens can achieve their potential," Williams said.
Williams said he decided to seek his first political office after listening to citizens.
"One of the reasons I'm running now is I've heard the frustration of people in the underserved communities in the city of Durham, where they've made pleas to the city council, so what I represent is a voice for the people that have been ignored and feel that their voice doesn't count, he said.
Williams said he doesn't believe that separation of church and state will be a problem since he is not trying to push a sectarian point of view. "I'm simply someone who says I'm concerned about the least of these."
Some people believe he is sincere.
"He has been involved with some troubled kids in the community, and while others have given up on them, he still hangs on and tries to make their lives better by showing them there is a better way," neighbor James Dansler said.
"I think that sometimes we need a change, and I support the platform that I understand he is advocating," said Gloria Rentrope, who has worked with Williams in the community. "He promises to run a clean campaign. We're not about bashing anybody but just advocating what we believe needs to happen in Durham."
Williams plans to officially file for the seat on July 8. Other candidates include incumbent Howard Clement, the longest-serving city council member, who has held the seat since 1983, and Matt Drew, chair of the Durham County Libertarian Party.
Drew said it's "a little scary" to go up against Clement, but believes he has a good platform and a good message. As a libertarian, he believes in freedom and personal responsibility.
"My message will stand out from the other candidates because of the difference in our political positions," he said.
Clement said he is proud of the district's progress during his service. "I'm certainly happy for what has happened in Northeast Central Durham," he said. "When I came on council 26 years ago, Northeast Central Durham was not even on the drawing board, and 10 years after I was a member, the concept of a 90-block revitalization area in Northeast Central Durham was necessary, and we've made considerable progress in moving that area from a vision to a reality in terms of its growth and development."
But Williams said the investment into growing Durham has been imbalanced. Specifically, he said some of the money that has gone into building up downtown should have gone into nearby east Durham neighborhoods and communities.
"I think there are a number of factors that are taking place when you look at employment in the city of Durham, especially in the depressed areas. When you look at potential for growth, these are things out of sync with each other, he said.
