Too often in this country, our vote “yes” for one candidate is really a “no” vote for someone else we strongly don’t want to see win the seat. Voting against a person by strategically selecting another candidate. A perfect example was the 2020 presidential election. No matter your political persuasion, we heard this from all sides – Republicans, Democrats and independents.
Thankfully, we had great options in candidates for City Council. This might be a reason for the low voter turnout. No matter who won, Council would likely benefit. Still, we’re happy to see Gilda Yazzie win a seat on Council.
Yazzie has a nice way with people and is a good listener. We especially liked her easy-breezy campaign style, beating the streets and talking with hundreds of residents concerned about the direction Durango is going. She set up a table at Fort Lewis College, and made herself comfortable and available to engage with students, staff members and visitors on any ideas, thoughts or worries.
Yazzie ran as an advocate for preserving historic downtown Durango, opposing the Next Step project that reimagines downtown as more pedestrian-friendly.
Addressing homelessness in Durango, improving infrastructure and parking space accessibility are other top-tier priorities. And her experience with Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as an independent contractor has honed her skills at pursuing grants.
Yazzie’s well-rounded background and calm demeanor go a long way. Without a doubt, she will bring much to Council. She’s well-liked, as evidenced by her strong finish in election results. We’re happy for her and happy for us, too.
We look forward to the work Yazzie will bring – and do – for Durango.
We’re also watching the buzzer-beater that is the vote count between Dave Woodruff and Harrison Wendt. Either candidate will make a fine councilor after April 12 – after outstanding cure ballots, after received ballots from overseas, after the possibility of a mandatory recount.
Carter Rogers and Douglas Snow, thank you, both for putting yourselves out there and your willingness to do the work.
Also, we have much gratitude for Mayor Barbara Noseworthy and Councilor Kim Baxter, both whip-smart who helped guide Durango through COVID-19, an exceptionally challenging time for any municipality’s governing board.
Like them or not, bump-outs were a lifeline for Main Avenue restaurants forced to operate with greatly reduced seating. Noseworthy, Baxter and the rest of Council took care of this business in record time, helping to keep businesses afloat.
After the embezzlement case, the city’s finances were made to be more transparent, and councilors, including Noseworthy and Baxter, put in place better procedures.
They’ve shown dedication to the creation of more housing units, with the former Best Western on west U.S. Highway 160 being renovated for families at the lowest end of the economic spectrum.
Ending uncertainty, councilors also approved upgrading the water treatment plant to eventually accept water from Lake Nighthorse rather than construct a second plant at another location.
Substantial accomplishments for any council, and Noseworthy and Baxter spent hundreds of hours participating and leading. We are thankful for their diligence.
Newly elected councilors will know right where to pick up and start their own work.
