Wouldn’t it be great to have someone on the City Council who understands the need to preserve Durango’s neighborhoods? Someone willing to go to bat to protect what’s great about living here?

If you’ve been following local politics for the last couple of years, you may understand why so many residents are excited about Dave McHenry running for the council. Dave has been a vocal proponent of our neighborhoods during a difficult few years, working to assist embattled residents in their fight to be heard on a variety of issues.

The need for a stronger voice for Durango’s neighborhoods was made abundantly clear when Dick White cast the deciding vote to allow a height variance for the infamous five-story hotel to be built on East Second Avenue – even while commenting on the “unanimity” of residents’ opposition.

This only was one issue – council members repeatedly promoted commercial interests while ignoring or otherwise attempting to “manage” the concerns of residents. Only when citizens hired attorneys and threatened a ballot initiative did city leaders pay attention to their constituents.

In McHenry, we can count on someone who does not need to be convinced that neighborhoods matter, who understands the importance of sensible growth and who will work to balance commercial interests with the needs of residents.

Folks, if you care about Durango’s sustainability and its neighborhoods, we have a real opportunity here in McHenry. Let’s make it happen!

Darrah Westrup

Durango