Acting against the thoughtful input of 16 former City of Durango mayors, the expressed concerns of the Multimodal and Parks & Recreation Advisory Boards, and numerous local citizens, on Tuesday, City Council intends to:
“Repeal the Resolutions Creating the Multimodal, Parks and Recreation, Natural Lands Preservation, Infrastructure Advisory and Strategy & Long Term Finance Advisory Boards, & Dissolve Said Boards, Effective July 31, 2023,” effectively reducing the number of public engagement opportunities (in the name of expanding and improving them) as a part of the newly drafted Community Engagement Strategy, released on April 4.
This action puts on full display not only the majority of this current Council’s disinterest in public input, but also their and staff’s ignorance on how community engagement historically in Durango has been and should be done.
How can the public trust the elected officials and staff to do right by the public when they refuse to hear public input on a new strategy that purports to improve public engagement? The irony is rich.
The review of advisory boards was requested by Mayor Barbara Noseworthy and Councilor Kim Baxter in 2019. Their rationale? To improve efficiency, expand public engagement opportunities and be more inclusive.
Fine. But now that we have a draft plan, the public should be afforded the opportunity to understand it and respond. That staff did not make this recommendation is troubling.
Please, stand up and share your voice on Tuesday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. in Council chambers. Thank you.
Ellen Stein
Durango
