Considering the year we have all had and the challenges facing Durango in the months ahead, I applaud anyone wanting to throw their hat into the ring for our upcoming City Council election.
One candidate especially stands out, however, in terms of dedication, experience, collaboration and the ability to listen to all her constituents: Melissa Youssef. While I can cite her leadership as she navigated not just the pandemic, but the massive wildfire in 2018 and the city finance director debacle of 2019, what always comes back in my mind’s eye is Melissa Youssef, the candidate of four years ago, who tirelessly knocked on hundreds of doors to listen to Durangoans about the issues that concerned them.
The results were surprising to her. The vast majority of people saw homelessness and affordable housing as their top issues. Because of this amount of diligence, Melissa changed her priorities to match those of the community. If this doesn’t define thoughtful leadership of someone who is paying attention, I don’t know what does. I am excited to see the new City Council that emerges after April’s election, but am especially hopeful that Melissa will, once again, be overwhelmingly voted back for a well-deserved second term.
Mary OswaldDurango
