The notion that the proposed city sales tax increase of a half-cent and the accompanying 5.4 mill levy increase is going to fleece the citizens of Durango is patently absurd. Taxes in Colorado and Durango are extremely low; and even with these increases they’ll still be extremely low.
Does anyone really believe that an extra nickel is going to send everyone to Farmington to buy shoes or groceries? Does anyone remember that 1 million tourists visit annually and that they love to buy stuff, which contributes to our city’s wellbeing?
I want to live in a city where the streets are taken care of, where city employees can work efficiently and with the latest technology and where arts, cultural and recreation programs are valued and funded.
If you want a bare-bones town, please, do yourself a favor and move to Delta or Montrose or Aztec.
The so-called Citizens for Durango’s Future call to vote NO proves true this axiom: “It’s easier to burn a bridge than to build a bridge.” They should call themselves “Citizens Stuck in the Past.”
The city has budgeted no money in 2019 to fix any streets. Roads that aren’t maintained only become dangerous and create ongoing liabilities. That’s unacceptable. Durango has voted for the future by approving great civic projects: the recreation center, Florida Road, the ice rink, a first-class library, trails and a modern sewage-treatment system. We can do it again.
I’m voting for the future: YES on 2A.
Joe Lewandowski
Durango
