OK, so let me get this right: $95,000 to build a homeless camp near the cemetery, $150,000 to manage it. Add in the almost-guaranteed 20% over budget and we will round off at $300,000 to house between 35 to 40 people. At 40, that’s $7,500 per person the first year – for what?
I have at least five kids working for me as well as holding a second job and they are 16 to 19 years old, breaking their backs to help their families make ends meet, and we sit here and have to listen to Durango City Council members who want to spend every penny they can get their hands on for many people who don’t want a job or work of any kind. Any council member who disagrees with me, let’s go do a survey of the camp and I will prove my point. Believe me, I have been there more then once, retrieving stolen goods from the BMX track and saw nothing but drug use and the smell of alcohol.
City Council, start looking out for those citizens who put you in office or before you know it one of us will be replacing you who will look out for those who pay taxes. What we want is a thriving citizenship; a safe community; streets that are walkable at night; and not being harassed for money by a growing homeless population.
Mark AndersonDurango
