I write this from the perspective of a concerned resident of Durango and want to bring attention to a potential conflict of interest with one of our City Council members as it pertains to the vacation-rental controversy. One of our City Council members, Keith Brant, is the owner of Durango Premier Vacation Rentals and stands to benefit from an increase in vacation-rental properties in the city. How can one, who has so much to potentially gain from an increase in vacation rentals, possibly have the greater welfare of healthy Durango neighborhoods in mind? In fact, Brant was a decisive dissenting vote against the moratorium, as the council voted 3-2. Foreseeing this conflict of interest, should not have Brant abstained from the vote, and should he not abstain from any future proceedings concerning vacation rental policy, a development that will be integral in the development of the character of downtown?

Kaki Boucher

Durango