Letter: Council deserves better than Furtney

^{I am the daughter of Jerry L. “Jake” Dalla.}

^{I am writing in response to} comments ^{made by City Council candidate Seth Furtney to the Durango Herald.}

^{Furtney was videotaped destroying my father’s fences, but now attempts to rationalize his crimes by stating he was only “passionate about access.”}

^{His actions were not crimes of passion committed by someone too young to know better, but instead were the premeditated and malicious acts of a middle-aged man. His criminal actions occurred multiple times, spanned a period of several months, and required a highly specialized tool (T-post puller) undoubtedly purchased for that very purpose. The tool was found in Furtney’s house when a search warrant was executed by local law enforcement.}

^{Furtney discarded the T-posts and barbed wire from the destroyed fence in the surrounding oak brush, creating a hazard to wildlife. Furtney stated that he “turned himself in and apologized to Dalla.”}

^{If he in fact turned himself in, it was only after felony charges had been filed and was undoubtedly done to avoid the embarrassment of an arrest. His apology to my father was nothing more than an attempt, likely on the advice of counsel, to show the remorse necessary to reduce his jail sentence.}

^{Durango City Council deserves better than Seth Furtney!}

^{Andrea Dalla}

^Durango