I urge you to vote NO on the city of Durango ballot issue 2A requesting to increase Durango sales and property taxes.
I have worked in the transportation construction industry for 45-plus years and generally support funding for transportation and infrastructure improvements. I cannot support 2A which states its entire transportation mission, guidance, policy and controls in the following 14 words: “the construction and maintenance of streets, alleys, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and related street improvements.” This blank-check approach for unspecified expenditures for unspecified needs does not suggest any successful or sustainable program or any actual plan or method to delineate the course of city transportation for the next 25 years.
Ballot issue 2A does not provide any of the details required for the basis of long-term construction and/or long-term maintenance programs with funding. It just throws a lot of money at the topic.
I would support a specific bond issue today for a new police station. I do not support using law enforcement’s needs as an overwhelming reason for approval of 2A’s raising an estimated $300 million to be used for the police station and unspecified “other city buildings” along with unspecified street needs.
Ballot issue 2A is void of any specifics or controls that are associated with spending approximately $300 million dollars. I urge you to join me. Vote NO on 2A.
David Clerici
Durango
