Durham leaders to interview potential council members Thursday. Here’s how to watch.

Durham’s City Council members will interview applicants for an open council seat at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The vacant seat, representing Ward 3, was previously held by Vernetta Alston. She resigned from the City Council in April to transition to taking the 29th District seat in the state House of Representatives.

City Council members voted in April to postpone filling the seat until August, after member Mark-Anthony Middleton expressed concern about appointing someone during the coronavirus pandemic.

The city accepted applications from Aug. 10 to Aug. 20.

Twelve people applied, and council members narrowed the pool down to five at a Monday meeting.

Ward 3 covers Durham’s west side. It includes Duke Forest, Lakewood, and several campus areas for Duke University.

Here are the five finalists who will be interviewed Thursday, their time slots, and an excerpt from their application:

▪ Anita Daniels-Kenney, 5:05 - 5:55 p.m.

“I am a dedicated and thoughtful team player, often intentionally choosing to work behind the scenes, because my ultimate goal is to serve. I am a woman of integrity and I strive for fairness and equality as a leader and as a professional.”

▪ Leonardo Q. Williams, 5:55 - 6:45 p.m.

“Not only have I prepared our youth, through education, to be active and engaged citizens but I continue to encourage that spirit as a small business owner through hiring and training community members most in need of a decent paying job.”

▪ Pierce Freelon, 6:45 - 7:35 p.m.

“I will bring local perspective as a product of Durham public schools, a parent, and a lifelong resident with deep roots in the community. I will serve the city with passion, creativity and a moral center rooted in social and economic justice.”

▪ Sarah Sinning, 7:35 - 8:25 p.m.

“While I have been pleased with the direction of the city overall as well as the genuine commitment of so many of its residents to making the community a world class destination, I’m also well aware that this progress has not been felt by all. ... I would advocate tirelessly for shared prosperity, because let’s face it, a community is only as healthy as its most vulnerable citizens.”

▪ Shelia Ann Huggins, 8:25 - 9:15 p.m.

“I believe we are in a crisis moment, and our city must have leadership in place that understands what’s at stake. ... I’m committed to using my experience as a former city employee to help select our next city manager and to help guide the development of a budget during this time of economic stress.”

You can watch the City Council meeting stream live on YouTube.

City council members will vote on their choice Monday, Aug. 31, at 10:15 a.m. You can watch that meeting’s live stream as well.

All of the applicants’ questionnaires are available to read online: bit.ly/2D0l9HU

This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 1:10 PM.