Two La Plata Electric Association seats in the current election are competitive, and the Herald’s editorial board likes the incumbents.
Dan Huntington, whose district is western La Plata County, is seeking a second term. Huntington is what might be described as go-slow and let’s-be-cautious-about-the-costs-when-it-comes-to-change, which is just fine as the LPEA board moves toward considering what will be a significant change in its operations. In the coming months it should be known what it will cost to move away from Tri-State Generating and Distribution for part or all of its electric power. That investment, which expects to make more renewable sources of energy possible, could be a couple or a few millions of dollars.
Co-op members will benefit by having Huntington’s very close look at the numbers when decision time comes.
Incumbent Jack Turner, who wants a third term, would continue to bring the right balance of aggressiveness and thoroughness to the decision to reduce or eliminate the co-op’s dependence on Tri-State. Power acquisition and distribution with federal and state involvement is a complex business and the experiences of incumbency go a long way.
Turner, however, for the sake of credibility, will have to show with his living arrangement that he is giving LPEA his full attention.
Jeff Mannix would like to apply his good judgment to LPEA’s needs and changes, but experience gives Huntington a strong advantage.
So, too, Sara Ferrell, who would like to succeed Turner. Ferrell seems to be a good study and capable, but Turner has a big head start in the complex issues of an electric co-op.
We choose Huntington and Turner.
Saturday is national Independent Bookstore Day, giving us a chance to say how fortunate Durango is to have Maria’s Bookshop.
Maria’s, with the leadership of Peter Schertz and Andrea Avantaggio, and recently their son Evan, has played a warm and welcome role in Durango’s retail economy for more than 40 years. Founded as The Bookshop in 1972 by Don Bacus a couple of doors from where it is now on Main Avenue, the store had a succession of owners, each one adding inventory and expanding its influence: Neil Creaves, Michael Schultz (1979-84) and then Dusty Teal.
Teal who renamed the store after a popular pueblo artist, and with his love of the Colorado River and concern for regional challenges, expanded environmental offerings. Teal also dressed the store with outdoor equipment, including canoes, which still hang from the ceiling, and rugs. And it was Teal who gave the store added square footage when he moved it to 960 Main Ave. from 928.
In 1998, Schertz and Avantaggio took over, and a month ago they announced their son Evan would join the store in a leadership role.
Ask many newcomers how they happened to choose Durango and with the river, access to the mountains and the desert, and the college, will come public radio (that is KSUT) and Maria’s – and Maria’s may be listed first.
Maria’s is a helpful source for local events and activities, a place where local authors read from their new publications, and one with themed window displays that feature the local environment and current events. In the days prior to Christmas, it is the source for a quality last-minute gift.
Durango has a couple of other bookstores, smaller and with new or used books, and they are appreciated as well. But it is Maria’s which is a welcome force in the community.
Independent bookstores are to be valued. Durango is a much better place for having this one.
