Advocacy groups in the Pine River Valley will host three group discussion sessions to get to the heart of issues impacting residents living in and around Bayfield, Vallecito and Ignacio – and hopefully get closer to solutions.
The information sessions – coined “Pine River Valley Residents Speak Out!” – will be facilitated by the Pine River Community Resource Center, La Plata County League of Women Voters, Pine River Shares and Pine River Rising.
A joint news release said the forums are meant to increase rural residents’ representation in political discourse.
“All too often, the voices and experiences of rural residents are not included in the discourse and policymaking of elected officials and decision-makers,” the release said.
The forums, which are nonpartisan, will provide opportunities for rural residents to think together about the issues impacting them and amplify their voices in the decision-making process of their elected officials.
Three forums are scheduled for the coming weeks:
- 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ignacio Community Library, 470 Goddard Ave., Ignacio.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 11 at the Vallecito Community Center, 17252 County Road 501, Vallecito.
- 2 to 3:30 p.m. June 27 at Pine River Shares, 658 S. East St., Bayfield.
“The issues identified at these forums will be compiled into a “Rural Issues Brief” for use by residents and decision-makers alike to advocate for policies that support thriving rural communities,” the release said.
Additionally, a candidates forum is planned, in which policymakers will discuss issues important to rural communities, the release said.
A spokesperson for Pine River Shares did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
sedmondson@durangoherlad.com
