Recently, the City Council approved the formation of a long-term finance committee, based on a flawed proposal by the city manager. Thankfully, Melissa Youssef, alone, advocated for withholding determination of the members until our new City Council members are seated.

More shocking is that the current council seems deaf when it comes to citizen participation in city government.

Based on the November vote and listening sessions, citizens are dissatisfied with the council and city manager regarding finances, and called for a finance committee. Without any public participation, the council determined the committee bylaws and structure.

Why is this council so arrogant that it bypasses citizen input in a structure/process suggested by citizens?

If the committee is to have credibility and be an interface between the council and citizens regarding the city’s financial future, then listen and utilize public input in its design. Nominating two former council members, per City Manager Ron LeBlanc’s suggestion, is pure folly and suggests only that LeBlanc wants to protect his territory.

To be successful, this committee needs people versed in a variety of areas, who can challenge long-held assumptions, be skillful and think out of the box, and be credible with citizens and councilors. I also hope that with the new council, citizen participation will be once again valued, when councilors will respond to citizen emails, and where dialogue between councilors and citizens can occur. This might lessen the mistrust citizens have for the council and city management.

Pete Johnson

Durango