My husband Michael and I moved from Fort Collins to Durango in 2014 to be closer to our granddaughter. We brought Michael’s Colorado State University technology skills and our foundation with us. We soon learned about our city government and the vital role that city councilors, like Dean Brookie, play in the community.
In 2014, our foundation provided the first 3D printers to Fort Lewis College. Brookie attended the 1st demonstration to learn their potential. Also in 2015, Brookie, serving as mayor, stood with Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet on our swinging bridge, assessed the impact of Durango’s “orange river” and eventually helped secure EPA Superfund status for the Gold King Mine cleanup.
Similarly, in 2015, as we helped launch Durango Adult Education center’s BOOST program, Brookie and Sweetie Marbury, as board members and city councilors, teamed up with the rest of the board to guide Teresa Malone, executive director, to leverage our grants to over $225,000 in additional BOOST funding helping to make DAEC the 2016 “Non-Profit of the Year.”
As an eBiker, I found Brookie at meetings to determine if eBikes could safely share our trails. He’s convinced they can. Finally, in 2017, as we embark on a multi-year project to relocate, enlarge and modernize the Durango Food Bank, Brookie offered free architectural services that are valued at many tens of thousands of dollars. And yes, Brookie’s designs will be 3D printed on FLC’s newest printer.
Many believe that Elon Musk of SpaceX and Tesla fame is a national asset; we believe that Dean Brookie is a community asset and should be re-elected because he has a vision for a better Durango! We also believe that Melissa Youssef has the same potential!
Michael and Elaine Moravan
Durango
