The name of the street that runs alongside the new location of the Durango Fire Protection District building should be named Dunaway Street.
Born in Durango, Mike and Linda, 1966 graduates of Durango High School, spent a lifetime in service to the community of Durango. On June 30, 2012, Mike Dunaway and Linda (Cherry) Dunaway were tragically killed in a helicopter crash.
Mike, a Vietnam War veteran, served with the Animas Volunteer Fire Protection District for many years, was a Durango firefighter from 1981 to 1988, Durango fire chief from 1988 to 2002 and named the first fire chief of the Durango Fire Protection District in 2002.
Importantly, Mike Dunaway was instrumental in the consolidation of area volunteer fire departments and the city of Durango Fire Department, which culminated in the formation of the existing Durango Fire Protection District.
Linda Dunaway managed the La Plata County Humane Society Thrift Store for 15 years, serving as the executive director of the Humane Society for two years and was awarded the Durango Chamber of Commerce Athena Award in 2000.
We strongly urge everyone to write Daniel Murray, AICP Development Services Manager/ Community Development Department at Daniel.Murray@durangogov.org on or before Dec. 4, to ensure that the fire station street be named in honor of Mike and Linda Dunaway.
Tom Kaufman
Sheryl Kaufman
Durango
