I’m writing in support of the funding increase measure for La Plata County Services. The scope of services were described well in former La Plata County Commissioner Clyde Church’s letter (Herald, Sept. 28), specifically, the Road and Bridge department.
I am a 35-year county road commuter. The workers in that department have continued to do a commendable job building, improving and maintaining our expansive county road system without funding having been increased for almost 15 years. We know the road use has grown exponentially. Similarly, costs of materials, equipment and personnel have increased.
Still, by prioritizing, rationing staff resources and stretching materials our county roads are good. I have seen their efficient work first hand, bridge deck replacement under deadline, one-person crew patching pot holes as they come up, two-person water truck and grader teams grading miles in a day, no shovel leaners here.
Yet, I believe it when we’re told things have come to a breaking point (Herald, Sept. 21). I encourage support for the county sales tax initiative to maintain and improve our county road infrastructure and the rest of the vital county government functions.
Stewart Leach
Durango
