Unitarians offers service of healing after turbulent election
“Look at all the candles we have lit,” said The Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango at a service of community healing on Wednesday night.
J. Paul Brown, candidate for Colorado House District 59, speaks to supporters in line to attend a rally Wednesday for vice presidential candidate Mike Pence at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Will Ballew, 13, from Cedar Hill, waits in line to hear Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence speak on Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A crowd lines up Wednesday to make their way into the Fred Klatt Arena to hear Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence speak at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A crowd lines up to make their way in to the Fred Klatt Arena to hear Republican vice president nominee Mike Pence speak at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Carrie Griffen, left, Robert Horvath, and Joann McCracken, head into the Fred Klatt Arena to hear Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence speak on Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
There was no shortage of Trump-Pence schwag for sale Wednesday during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Vice presidential candidate Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence greet supporters Wednesday before he spoke at a rally at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Vice presidential candidate Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence greet supporters Wednesday before a rally at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Crowds cheer the arrival Wednesday of vice presidential candidate Mike Pence at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, where he delivered a campaign speech. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Vice presidential candidate Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence greet supporters at a rally at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
The crowd cheers the arrival of vice presidential candidate Mike Pence at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Hundreds listen to vice presidential candidate Mike Pence at a rally Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Vice presidential candidate Mike Pence speaks to supporters Wednesday during a rally at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Supporters display signs while they listen to vice presidential candidate Mike Pence at a rally Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Hundreds listen to vice presidential candidate Mike Pence at a rally Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Vice presidential candidate Mike Pence speaks to supporters during a rally Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Vice presidential candidate Mike Pence greets supporters after speaking at a rally Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
There was no shortage of Trump-Pence schwag for sale during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
There was no shortage of Trump-Pence schwag for sale during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
There was no shortage of Trump-Pence schwag for sale during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
There was no shortage of Trump-Pence schwag for sale during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Kate Sweetser shows her support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Brandon Walter shows his support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Chelsea Steck shows her support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton mix during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Dalton Hamilton, a supporter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and other supporters engage Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton showed up during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton mix during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton mix during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton mix during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton mix during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Democratic supporters of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton mix during Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence’s stop Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Election Judge Skip Page collects Kimberly Williams ballot Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Holly Hott, left, Pita Gomez, center, and Ema Bush, right, show their Republican colors on Tuesday on Camino del Rio. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Election Judges Lon Erwin, left, and Skip Page, give Elizabeth Major her “I voted” sticker after she dropped off her ballot Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Commissioner Julie Westendorff, who was successful in her re-election bid, waves to passing motorists on Tuesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Commissioner Julie Westendorff, left, and Dee Dee Carlson wave to passing motorists on Tuesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Election Judge Wanda Cason, right, assists first-time voter Austin Presas on Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Voters line up to vote Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lisa Morgan casts her vote with her daughter, Kassi Kuss, on Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lisa Morgan casts her vote with her daughter, Kassi Kuss, on Tuesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
From the left, district attorney candidate Christian Champagne, County Commissioner Julie Westendorff and County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt look at the first results released by the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s office Tuesday evening at the Powerhouse Science Center. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
La Plata County commissioners Julie Westendorff and Gwen Lachelt look at the first results released Tuesday evening by the La Plata County Clerk and Recorders Office at the Powerhouse Science Center. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
District Attorney candidate Christian Champagne is congratulated Tuesday evening at the Powerhouse Science Center as results come in. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Surrounded by a small group of friends and supporters, Colorado House District 59 candidate Barbara McLachlan watches election results from her home. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Durango Mayor Christina Renderle, right, checks election results for the Durango-La Plata County Airport expansion and county roads, with Brad Fox, left, Chris Bettin, center, and Kristina Fox, on Tuesday night at BREW Pub & Kitchen. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Republican supporters react to election news on TV during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lyle McKnight, candidate for La Plata County commissioner in District 2, and his wife, Tonya, mingle during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A full house was on hand during Tuesday evening’s Republican election party at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Commissioner Brad Blake, left, former Durango mayors, Doug Lyon, center, and Jasper Welch, look at election results during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Kayla Patterson, candidate for commissioner in La Plata County District 3, and her husband, Acie Patterson, mingle during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Republican state Rep. J. Paul Brown, looks at election results with Holly Hott, left, and Kellie Jaworsky, during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Republican state Rep. J. Paul Brown and his wife, Debbie, look at election results during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club.
Acie Patterson, left, husband of Kayla Patterson, candidate for commissioner in La Plata County District 3, and his brother in-laws, Eric Hanson, center, and Tim Formby, pose for a picture during the during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Samuel Harper, 3, and Charles Harper, 6, wave their flags during the Republican election party on Tuesday evening at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A full house was on hand during Tuesday evening’s Republican election party at the Durango Elks Club. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Tuesday’s presidential election results triggered a slew of emotions for Durangoans, from shock, disappointment and grief to pride and pleasant surprise.
Despite some of President-elect Donald Trump’s divisive statements, some believe he will bring positive change for the economy and immigration, and will help unite the country. Others worry that he is unpredictable, and some of his campaign promises could be disastrous.
“Start with his acceptance speech, it was thoughtful. It was considerate. He didn’t take unnecessary jabs at people. I think he is a lot more self-controlled than people think he is,” resident Tom Hartnett said.
A win for Hillary Clinton would have been a continuation of President Barack Obama’s policies, such as the Affordable Care Act, and would not have eased some of the recent racial divisiveness, some residents said.
“Things are going to change. Things are going to get better,” resident Julie Hall said.
Even though Trump is not always politically correct, she was proud of the election results and believes he will be able to change policy.
Some Clinton supporters were shocked, especially because national polls did not predict a Trump victory.
La Plata County resident Colleen Dunseth worries Trump is unpredictable and could roll back policies around gay marriage and immigration.
Because Republicans won control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and a conservative Supreme Court Justice will likely be appointed, Democrats will have limited power.
“I just believe we have no checks and balances,” she said.
While she is grieving the election, she found some consolation in Clinton’s Colorado victory.
Social justice concerns were one of the reasons Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris decided to hold a healing service for the community Wednesday night, but the service also turned into an opportunity for young people to grieve for Thomas “T.C.” Rockwell, a Miller Middle School student who died by suicide earlier in the week.
“We come together to be in community,” Kandarian-Morris said. “To support each other, to find strength and hope to go on.”
About 130 people attended the service, with more than 20 standing to speak.
“I woke up this morning and realized my family still loves me, my friends still love me,” Tim Miller said, “and we know how to elect strong women in La Plata County. Unitarians are taught to believe in the inherent dignity of every person, and I’m holding out hope that our president-elect will lead with a finer moral compass than that which he campaigned.”
Dr. Sarah Goodpastor said she is concerned for the people who are scared.
“I shared a quote from Martin Luther King that gives me comfort,” Goodpastor said. “‘Accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’”
La Plata County Democratic Party Chairwoman Jean Walter is also proud of the strong local support for Clinton, Sen. Michael Bennet, state Rep. Barbara McLachlan and other Democrats.
She was shocked by Trump’s victory, and she is worried that some of his campaign promises will come true. For example, a wall along the Mexican border would be an environmental and political disaster, she said.
“I am just hoping that President-elect Trump meant what he said last night, that we go forward as one nation,” Walter said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
