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Giving thanks for the blessings of Durango

As I stroll down the colorful halls at my grandson’s school, I see walls covered with vibrant art projects and thoughtful essays written with small hands and big hearts. As a former teacher, I smile. I have a big, warm smile because I know learning is happening, and young minds are being challenged. At this time of year, there is usually an assignment to write an essay titled, “What I Am Thankful For.” I’m writing my own paper this year: “What I am thankful for as mayor of Durango.”

First, I am thankful that I discovered and fell in love with Durango. I came here as a skier and have really never looked back. The magnificent mountains, the cobalt blue skies after a white snowy day and the warm small-town feeling of Durango pulled at my heartstrings and have never let go. Walking down Main Avenue, I’m still a great tourist. I love to see the decorated windows, to recognize friends and neighbors and to promote the small businesses we have in Durango. I’m thankful for the arts, music and theater that flourish in our town. I am thankful for the historic town rebuilt after the devastating fires of the early years. I love the old architecture from another lifetime and the grand cemeteries that allow me to know more about our sweet town and the brave people who settled it.

I am thankful for the education our children receive in Durango. Aerospace International Champions, Future Farmers of America state winners, artists, athletes, children with learning problems and children from diverse backgrounds – all call Durango home. Dedicated teachers, coaches, cooks, custodians, secretaries and administrators giving their all daily to our children are heroes in my book.

Other heroes in Durango are the firefighters, police and 911 staff who answer our frightened calls for help. I’m thankful that the Durango Fire Protection District has a contract for services with the city. I’m thankful for the health care in Durango. Doctors, nurses, technicians and physical therapists make a big difference in our home town.

I’m thankful for the cheerful volunteers in all the nonprofits. Bell ringers, soup kitchen cooks, friends of the library, trail workers, volunteer readers, dog walkers, school helpers and painters of new homes are all making a difference in our lives. What would we do without you? Thank you for being here and caring.

I’m thankful for the new library, recreation center, parks, playgrounds, Animas River Trail and open space in Durango, which were funded by the 1999 and 2005 sales tax. My grandchildren are the beneficiaries of thoughtful voters. I voted for each of these measures and will again in the future. My grandson calls Fassbinder Park “Louie’s Park” because he knows Louie Esquibel worked on the new playground for the city. I’m thankful Durango has the money to invest in new playground equipment.

As mayor, I’m thankful that the Land Use Development Code was finished after the thousands of hours and meetings that I attended. The code will lead and set standards for future growth. I’m thankful that the county commissioners and Durango City Council negotiated the inter-governmental agreement that will set standards for the mutual benefit of both governments. I’m thankful the city has a relationship with the Southern Ute and the Ute Mountain Ute tribal councils, Fort Lewis College and Durango School District 9-R.

I’m very thankful that vacation rental guidelines were resolved. I’m thankful every week that the recycle truck picks up my heavy blue single-stream container and delivers it not to the landfill but to recycle heaven.

I’m thankful for the 50/50 Sidewalk Program, for increased Funding for Community Support groups and for the new Code of Ethics and Conduct that will guide future city councils, employees, boards and commissions and contractors. The list could go on and on.

I’m thankful for the city employees who work in the freezing cold temperatures to fix broken pipes, to answer thousands of questions at the library, to pave streets and to keep the sewer plant running and the water flowing.

I’m thankful for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde and the stunning outdoors that draw visitors to my ZIP code. I’m thankful sales-tax revenues are up as well as the lodger’s tax.

Yes, you guessed it: I am still in love with Durango just as I was in 1974 when I came here to ski. I’m thankful to be on the City Council and to be a part of the neighborhood.

Sweetie Marbury is the mayor of Durango, a position rotating among members of City Council. She was elected to the City Council in 2011 and will serve as mayor until April 2015, when she will be succeeded by mayor pro tem Dean Brookie. Reach her at SweetieMarbury@ DurangoGov.org.



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