“Save the Date” reads my pink and blue refrigerator magnet. It is holding the announcement of an upcoming marriage. That magnet is a joyful message that reminds me of the upcoming event.
Please save the dates of Feb. 23, March 20, April 7 and July 10. I need your help. These dates are important to you and the city of Durango and will make a difference in our daily lives.
At 6:30 p.m. Monday, there will be a meeting at the Durango library for the City Council to listen to you and your concerns, issues and ideas concerning the proposed new airport. I know you may work or have kids or just don’t want to go to a meeting, so please send an email to SweetieMarbury@DurangoGov.org and let the council know your thoughts.
What are your needs at the airport? What do you think of the proposal? Is this the right proposal? Are you willing to increase your property taxes to fund the proposal? Is this the right time to expand the airport? We’re listening to you and want to know what you think. Ultimately, all of the county will vote at some point in the future on the airport proposal.
Friday, March 20 is the first day ballots will be mailed for the upcoming City Council election and for the reauthorization of the half-cent sales tax first enacted in 1999. I hope you vote for two candidates to sit on the next council. The next council will be working on major issues that will make a difference in our daily lives.
I voted in 1999 for the sales tax that built the recreation center and the Animas River Trail. One half of one penny made a tremendous difference in the lives of Durango residents and tourists. I’m voting for the reauthorization of the 1999 sales tax, and my vote is for the children of Durango. My “Yes Vote” is a vote for parks, trails, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, the 9,000 urban trees, operations, maintenance and facilities that our children will be able to use as they grow up in Durango.
Tuesday, April 7, is the last day to cast your ballot. Mama says you get what you pay for! And Mama is always right! I am willing to continue the sales tax, and I hope that you are as well. Remember: This is no new tax! It is just the same one-half-of-one-penny we have paid for almost 20 years. What a deal!
Tuesday, July 10, has been tentatively set as the day ballots will be mailed out for the proposed bond election for the new sewer plant. The actual Election Day will be July 28.
After long meetings for several months, the City Council made the decision to raise water and sewer rates. Aging infrastructure is not a new issue across the United States. Other cities are facing the same dilemma as Durango. The bond will provide the dollars to build the new sewer plant. The users will pay for the bond by sewer revenues charged monthly. The state of Colorado said Durango must have a new sewer plant. Our current plant is reaching capacity. The City Council sent out notices in water bills to explain the why and how the decision was reached. Newspaper stories covered the water and sewer meetings. As a retiree, I understand personal budgets. No, this was not an easy decision for any of the councilors.
The City Council continues to work on Lake Nighthorse, accessory dwelling units for Animas City, the Wilson Gulch Road Project, the expansion of recycling, Oxbow Park and Preserve, North Main development, budgets, solar for city buildings and the celebration of our partnerships with the Regional Housing Alliance, the La Plata Economic Alliance, LPEA, the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribal councils, the Council of Governments, the Colorado Association of Ski Towns, the Colorado Municipal League and CDOT.
Please participate in your city government. If you see me at the grocery store, don’t hesitate to stop me for a chat. Call me at home or send me an email. Your City Council works for you. Remember, save the dates!
Sweetie Marbury is the mayor of Durango, a position rotating among members of City Council. She was elected to the City Council in 2011 and will serve as mayor until April 2015, when she will be succeeded by now-Mayor pro tem Dean Brookie. Reach her at SweetieMarbury@ DurangoGov.org.
