As a cancer survivor, business owner and resident of this community, I urge all voters to approve the initiative to expand the airport.
What does cancer have to do with our airport, you may ask? Access to healthcare! This vote comes down to access.
I utilize our airport for:
Business: Durango’s remote location can be challenging for small businesses, so access to other markets is imperative to economic sustainability.Family: I have a son who studies Chinese in Washington, D.C., who visits twice a year, so getting him here is close to my heart.Cancer treatment: I visit the best oncologist and surgeons that I believe help keep me alive.I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2013, going through years of treatment and multiple surgeries.
I am a mother of two sons (14 and 9). We live in an amazing place, and while the remoteness is part of what makes it great, it can make it difficult when you require medical treatment elsewhere on a regular basis.
I don’t have statistical data on the flights taken for medical reasons, but I can tell you I have met many cancer survivors that travel for the best care available. Wouldn’t you?
Ultimately, the possibility that our airport may lose all service is what is at stake. Never mind the small inconveniences of claiming baggage in rain or snow and small bathrooms. Regional airports like ours bid against other regional airports for carriers and our lack of facilities (small tarmac, one de-icer, etc.), affect that decision.
So, as the airline industry replaces their 50-seat regional jets with bigger, more cost-efficient planes, we need the space to accommodate five aircraft just to keep up with the current traffic according to the International Air Transport Association. The options have been explored and what is on the ballot is the best solution given what we have to work with.
Voting “Yes” on ballot initiative 1B is a vote for our economy and access.
Heather McGlasson
Durango
