We need money for infrastructure repairs and construction in Durango, but I’m voting against the ballot issue this November for a number of reasons:
There are issues on the state ballot that may have an impact on money available to the city. The 25 year time frame is too long. Other options should be explored that do not involve outside consultants to return predetermined results justifying council decisions. We need to search for ways to economize on the city budget rather than simply raising taxes and fees. The behavior of two council members during a recent session reacting to the presentation of a constituent. I appreciate that serving on the council is a thankless and often frustrating endeavor; however, the council wants public participation and yet the mayor reduced the public presentation time from five minutes to three minutes without restriction on the council time for berating and questioning participants.I feel that if citizens make the effort to present their views to the council, they deserve consideration and respect, even if their views are contrary to the council’s. There may be a back story to the council members’ reaction, but that does not justify rudeness. In these troubled times, it behooves all of us to listen to different points of view.
It is my hope that the ballot issue will fail and we will have a better plan presented for the next election.
Merle Harrison
Durango
