The whistle of the train, the laughter of playing children, the farmers market in the summer and fall, and the county courthouse bells are just some of the things that unify us as a community, making Durango a unique, wonderful place to live.

Living downtown, I really miss hearing the bells from the county courthouse through the night and day. Having read in The Durango Herald last month that they have been silenced because of a few complaints makes me sad. It is akin to those folks who move to town saying they “love Durango” knowing about the historic train that runs multiple times per day, then crying out for the charming blast of the train whistle to be quieted because it bothers them. Or people that move next to an airport, then complain about the noise.

Almost every city, town and village in Europe enjoy bells to mark the passage of time each day. Having that same music in Durango has always given me comfort knowing that not only am I home, but that we as a community are connected to the bigger world out there.

Please bring back the bells, and let at least one of our town’s traditional, charming characteristics remain.

Michael Peterson

Durango