You have to know a little about a lot of things to be city manager. WhenWRAL'sMark Robertscaught up withEwell, he was knee deep in discussion about yard waste collection fees.It was just one of many staff briefings the southern California transplantgot on his first day as Durham's city manager.
Ewell is inheriting a city with a bad reputation for crime. He sayshis philosophy is simple: more prevention, less after the fact. He alsobelieves crime shouldn't be something that is just handled by police.It's a citywide issue that involves the community, business, andgovernment.
There's a lot more that the city and its manager have to deal with.Roberts asked some in the Durham community what they want their citymanager to think about. Durham resident Adrian David believes there arejust too many vacant or abandoned homes around the city that could be madeinto comfortable living environments.
Crime comes first to Gerald Barnette's mind. He says there are thingsthat could be done within the city that aren't being done.
B.D. Perry,another Durham resident, believes whatever changes are made in Durham willbe for the better.
Ewell says he's working on a long-term, strategic plan for the BullCity. It's his hope Durham will become a more business friendly communitywith a healthier outlook on the future.
So far, Ewell says he's impressed with the area and the people he hasmet, but it's just the honeymoon phase of his relationship with thecommunity. WRAL will keep in touch withEwell and talk to him after he handles his first few controversies. Fornow, Durham's new city manager is ready to take whatever is thrown hisway.
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