A city in deep damage control

The latest press release sent out to reporters (even those of us who haven't been Duke-bashing) started like this:

To: Editors and reporters
Re: Current information about Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, continues to be in the news. Just last week, Forbes magazine ranked the Durham MSA as #8 in the country for business and careers. Durham is home to Research Triangle Park where 136 companies and organizations are located.

For more information about Durham see:

And then there's this list: 25 Common Misperceptions About Durham and the Realities Behind Them (with our opinions thrown in parenthetically):
"Here are responses to re-inform misinformed comments and misinformation about Durham. The following mispercetpions are frequently reported by newcomers and visitors from water-cooler talk or negative word-of-mouth. The accompanying clarifications and realities have proven useful."
(The media doesn't know how good we have it here, right Coach K?)

"Common Misperception No. 1. Durham has a poor self image.
"Reality: Scientific public opinion polls consistently reveal that Durhamites are pleased and proud of their community. It is true that deference is often misinterpreted as low self esteem."
(Sure, especially when the Blue Devils are knocked out of the NCAA basketball tournament).

"Common Misperception No. 8: Duke town/gown relationships are poor.
"Reality: Durhamites (that phrase reminds us: Call Terminex if those things are eating away at your wood) brought Duke to Durham and provided its initial financing to become one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Similarly, Duke officials have always worked hand-in-hand with Durham residents to improve the community."
(Just look how easy it was for the local police to get DNA samples from the lacrosse team).

"Common Misperception No. 10: Race relations in Durham are hostile."
(You had to go 10 deep to finally get to this one?)
"Reality: Durham is a diverse, open and tolerant community with power shared among various ethnic groups. It is also a community that values open expression of opinion and diffrences. It receives very high rankings for "tolerance."
(The latest AP tolerance poll had Duke ranked No. 2. Everyone else was tied for first).

"Common Misperception No. 12: There is nothing to do in Durham at night.
"Reality: Durham has around 50 venues that provide live nightlife entertainment. Scientific surveys of visitors, both overnight and day-trippers within a 100-mile radius, show Durham outperforming the average for similar-sized destinations in North Carolina in the area of nightlife."
(Especially if you've got a bunch of your buddies together and are looking for a stripper).

Must we go on anymore? The last one they list:

"Common Misperception No. 25: I-85 is an east-west Interstate.
"Reality: I-85 is north-south."
(This is a really common mistake. When you're talking about Duke lacrosse players speeding out of town from the cops, make sure you've got your compass right).

By the way, HBO Sports' latest edition of "REAL SPORTS" that debuts Tuesday (May 16) has this story line:
"Since reports first surfaced in March linking members of the Duke University Lacrosse team to the alleged rape of a 27-year-old North Carolina Central University student and exotic dancer, the scandal has been front-page news. And while the facts are a source of contention on both sides, Duke’s sterling reputation as one of the country’s top academic institutions is being impacted, along with the careers and reputations of a host of individuals tied to the incident. REAL SPORTS correspondent Jon Frankel investigates the controversy in Durham and examines how it became a sensational story for the press."