Common Sense Durango, a citizen advocacy group, is calling for Durango Mayor Dean Brookie’s resignation from City Council and launched a petition this week to gather community support for the idea.
The organization’s petition cited concerns about Brookie’s financial oversight and leadership while on City Council. One organizer, John Simpson, said the group’s action was spurred by the felony charges against former finance director Julie Brown, who is suspected of stealing more than $700,000 over the course of 17 years. More than 80 people had signed the online petition as of Friday morning, after Common Sense Durango posted it Wednesday.
“This is the best thing for regaining trust in Durango, if he would step down now,” said Simpson, who has frequently opposed the city’s financial and utility rate policies. “There needs to be a change in direction.”
Brookie, at first unaware of the petition, declined to comment.
Brookie is completing his second term on City Council and became mayor during the annual role transition in April. In Durango, the mayor, who serves a one-year term, is the head of the city government and leads meetings but does not have regular administrative duties or veto power. Five city councilors choose the mayor and mayor pro tem every April.
Brookie, a Durango-based architect, focused on addressing the impacts of the coronavirus, establishing an urban renewal authority and continuing the council’s climate initiatives when he took the helm as mayor. In his first term, Brookie acted as mayor during the Gold King Mine spill. His second term on City Council ends in April.
Common Sense Durango is a new creation that seeks to improve financial oversight and limit utility rate increases. Little is known about its origins. It offers sparse information on its website, which is copyrighted in 2020. Simpson said three people were doing most of the work, but declined to give names. He cited concerns about retribution from the city.
The petition listed five reasons Brookie should resign.
It said Brookie should step down because of his past support of Brown. When allegations arose, Brookie said, “I don’t understand where these accusations are coming from,” according to a petition.
However, the group linked to a shortened video of Brookie’s statements during a City Council meeting dated June 2018. Allegations about Brown’s alleged misappropriation of funds first came to light in October 2019. Common Sense Durango published the video to YouTube on July 16.
Other reasons included inadequate oversight of city finances (based on a Common Sense Durango analysis) and attempts to limit City Council members’ ability to make requests of city staff members, referring to the council’s debates about internal working agreements in April, Simpson said.
The petition mentions the water-utility rate increase, calling it an excessive financial burden on residents. It also cited “arrogant and derogatory statements to members of the public,” which Simpson said was shown by his own interactions with Brookie in City Council meetings and via email.
The petitioners targeted Brookie because he has been around the longest and “has been most involved with the situation,” Simpson said. Voters will weigh in on other councilors, Melissa Youssef and Chris Bettin, in April, he said.
“It’s time to get rid of the old guard,” he said.
The group wants Brookie to resign before City Council completes the city manager hiring process, which is underway, Simpson said. When it comes to a leadership shakeup as the city responds to the coronavirus pandemic, Brookie’s resignation would open space for more direct leadership, he said.
“Right now, what we need more than anything is some clear, direct leadership. That would come from the Mayor Pro Tem Kim Baxter,” Simpson said. “Kim is exactly what we need right now in these difficult times. We need a leader who is willing to change, willing to listen.”
Baxter said she was not aware of the petition and declined to comment further.
smullane@durangoherald.com
