McDougald Terrace leader blasts Durham City Council over carbon monoxide response
The woman praised for her leadership in the McDougald Terrace carbon monoxide emergency went off on the Durham City Council Tuesday night after the mayor initially refused to let her and others speak.
And on Wednesday morning, Ashley Canady, president of the public housing community’s resident council, was still hot.
“I am beyond pissed right now,” Canady said about Mayor Steve Schewel refusing to initially let them speak. “Even though we weren’t on the agenda [for the council meeting] it was important that we spoke. ... Durham needs to know,” what residents are going through.
About 20 minutes into Tuesday night’s meeting, as seen on the city’s online video of the meeting, Schewel acknowledges several people want to speak about McDougald Terrace.
“That is not on our agenda,” he said.
Schewel said he would meet with the residents after the meeting, which he said he did not think would last long.
“So everyone will have their chance to have that discussion,” he said.
“Alrighty,” he then said, moving on. “Any other announcements by member of the council?”
270 families evacuated
The Durham Housing Authority moved about 270 families to a dozen area hotels starting Jan. 3, after inspections showed dangerous levels of carbon monoxide tied to aging gas appliances, including some original stoves at the 1950s-era complex on Lawson Street.
At least eight people, including five children, were treated for CO exposure, including a 16-day-old baby, the Durham Emergency Management Services has said.
At a Jan. 14 press conferences and other events, Schewel, Wendy Jacobs, chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, and others have hailed Canady as a “hero” and “an amazing leader” for being a voice for McDougald Terrace residents and for her volunteer work coordinating food distribution, clothing donations and other services to hundreds of residents now spending their third week in hotels.
About 30 minutes into Tuesday night’s meeting, Canady and another man started yelling from audience.
Canady said she and other residents are tired and frustrated.
She challenged the council to eat the food they are eating every day, and said she would come for their jobs on the City Council.
“We eat macaroni and cheese cups,” she said. “That is unacceptable.”
“I am happy to talk to you after the meeting,” Schewel said.
In a brief interview Wednesday the mayor said he had met with Anthony Scott, chief executive officer of the housing authority, City Manager Tom Bonfield, and City-County Inspections Director Gene Bradham about McDougald Terrace earlier in the morning.
Money is available in the city’s dedicated housing fund, which could be used to replenish the $7 million in capital funds DHA is spending to house, feed and transport residents while the public housing property is repaired. Schewel also pointed out they are asking for federal emergency funds.
How much longer in hotels?
Before Canady’s outburst, City Council member Mark-Anthony Middleton said a number of residents had told him they’d received notice they would be checking out of the hotels at the end of the week.
But according to Scott, Middleton said, “it is going to be at least another couple of weeks.” The first week of the evacuation cost $485,000, and each subsequent week was expected to cost about the same, Scott has said.
Middleton said he would not allow residents to return to unsafe conditions. “We have crossed a threshold that we cannot come back from, we simply cannot allow folks into conditions that are life threatening,” he said.
Council member DeDreana Freeman said people should support the residents, including making sure they have transportation to the the city’s parks and recreation activities.
After Canady’s outburst, she and others left the meeting.
Canady then posted a Facebook live video of residents outside the council chamber chanting
“Hey y’all, they want to shut us down,” Canady said.. “They told us we aren’t worthy to talk tonight. ... They got the police out here because they don’t want us to speak, And Steve is the one who shut us down.”
Mayor changes his mind
After about an hour into the meeting, Schewel said he had changed his mind and would let the McDougald Terrace residents speak.
“I thought the meeting [after the regular council meeting] would be suitable, but apparently they don’t think so,” the mayor said.
About a dozen people then spoke.
They said they are not getting enough information about the repairs and when they would return home.
They talked about living in hotels and having to eat macaroni and cheese cups every day.
They said people are suffering mentally and physically. Canady said some people have been treated for panic attacks and other issues.
“Durham, I am disappointed. I am hurt,” Canady told the council. “I am pissed off, and I am not going to apologize for my behavior.”
And while stoves aren’t working in apartments and residents are dealing with substandard conditions, the DHA board gave Scott a raise and a $15,000 bonus, she noted.
“But Durham is woke, right?” Canady said. “If this don’t hurt y’all I don’t what this is. I am so tired.“
It’s sad, Canady said, that they have to “go outside and raise hell” in order to speak.
Schewel said he appreciates the difficulty of living with the uncertainty and other issues.
He said the housing authority’s Damar Court, Morreen Road, Laurel Oaks properties have been renovated and J.J. Henderson will be next year.
Durham banded together last fall to pass a $95 million affordable housing bond, nearly $60 million of which will go to DHA properties, he said. That move will free money in the authority’s capital fund to help address issues at McDougald Terrace, he said.
“So we are committed to this now and for the long term,” Schewel said. “I appreciate your patience and appreciate your sense of urgency. ”
Canady said the protests will continue Thursday at the City Council’s work session.
“Everybody keeps talking,” she said. “It is time to put plans into action.”
This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 10:34 AM.
