A recent headline (“Growing up, not out,” Herald, Oct. 9) captured my attention. While the article was interesting, my own expectations left me feeling some disappointment. After the many recent discussions in the paper about the need to expand sewer and water facilities, including comments by city officials about the need to grow and bring in new industries and big-box stores, I naively thought the article would discuss reasons why we should not continue to grow and bring in big box-stores.
The desires for continued economic growth and unlimited population growth were reasonable concepts in past eras, but those times have passed. Many of the world’s natural resources are becoming scarce. Unrestricted population growth, pollution, and wasteful use of limited public resources such as water and land in the name of free enterprise are no longer viable options for communities. For decades, local, state, and federal officials have waved the banner of continued growth as the only measure of success, but that has been a choice, not a necessity.
If we follow the path of continued growth, our temporary successes ultimately will lead to our future failure as a vibrant community. We will become just another town that tourists pass through while driving to places more interesting.
We have a wonderful, diverse community right now. Why do we pursue policies determined to change it into something bigger, just in the name of continued growth and big-box stores that pay poverty-level wages and then export the profits elsewhere? Why not plan strategically for a stable community with enough businesses to support decent employment for a stable population size. People will leave and other people will take their place, but that doesn’t require growth. Tourism is a primary industry for Durango. Who will visit after we’ve built over our beautiful space? Let’s be creative and truly “grow up” as a community and not out.
Glenn E. Rodey
Hesperus
