This is my last article as the mayor of Durango. The City Council election concluded April 7, and Dean Brookie will soon be mayor.
It is a privilege and an honor to be on the Durango City Council. I’m frequently asked what it’s like to be the mayor. For me, being mayor means following my personal motto: Doing my best always for the many faces of Durango.
As mayor, my motto never left my heart and mind. I never dreamed I would be elected to Durango City Council, but others dreamed it for me. One dreamer was my sweet friend Carole, who died before I became the mayor. She lived long enough to see me elected to City Council. I owe it to her and the residents of my hometown to do my best as a councilor.
My mother was my early role model. Mama was up early fixing breakfast and packing lunches. As the mayor and city councilor, Mama’s model is how I live. I am up early and try to pack many meetings and events into my day. Mama gave to her community. I know her imprint is why I first spoke up in 1987 at a City Council meeting, urging the council to save the unique Brookside Park from being sold to a commercial company.
My childhood friend Suzie May has read every article, checking punctuation and sentence structure for the mayor’s column. Often, we talked late into the night. Because of her English-teacher perfection, I was happy to submit my stories. Thanks to The Durango Herald for allowing the mayor to be a contributor.
As a Durango city councilor, each of us has been involved in making decisions concerning municipal government, public safety, water and sewer plants, airport, infrastructure, budgets and expenses, parks, sales-tax revenues and all the other important issues the city faces and solves daily. The wheels of government turn continually and methodically. The city staff is amazingly detailed-oriented and present councilors with significant information for each project and hearing.
The men and women at the library, police department, city street department, transit, utilities, city offices, Planning Department, finance, municipal courts and parks and recreation department are dedicated individuals whom I respect and admire. I see them tirelessly working and taking care of our hometown.
City Council faced some difficult issues and resolved them with residents’ input. Regulations will guide Durango and will be predictable. Your City Council will always be tackling major issues. Wilson Gulch Road development, Lake Nighthorse and the sewer plant are a few issues the next council will address.
Over the many years, I’ve seen the gallery at standing-room-only capacity. I think it’s wonderful! Please come to City Council meetings, and speak on issues you feel strongly about, email the council or talk to councilors at the grocery store.
Your love for our sweet hometown is obvious to me as mayor and a city councilor.
Gov. Hickenlooper loves Durango, and I know why. When he visits, he sees the love for Durango from the people who live and work here. I’ve heard him speak spontaneously to a crowd of 800 elected officials about Durango. I’ve always said, “I’m lucky to live in Durango!” Go anywhere in the world, say you’re from Durango and watch the faces light up with smiles and eyes sparkle with dazzling fireworks.
I hope I’ve given you a small picture of what it’s like to be a part of Durango City Council. As a city councilor, I was able to get motorcycle parking designated in special areas. I listened to concerned parents in the Riverview area, and now there are blinking signs warning drivers to slow down. I suggested the five-year payback on fees for existing ADUs, and the council agreed. Gosh, it feels great to be able to make a difference in Durango!
As the mayor, I’ve been invited to teach classes about municipal government. Perhaps, I’ve inspired a future mayor, senator or president. I was inspired by “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Summer excitement is almost here. Our hometown will buzz with visitors. Cobalt-blue skies, clean mountain air, streets dancing in colors and a vibrant downtown – alive and bustling – describe 81301. See you soon, and thanks for listening.
As one of my many heroes said, “Happy trails to you until we meet again.”
Sweetie Marbury served as the mayor of Durango for the past year, a position rotating among members of City Council. She was elected to City Council in 2011 was and re-elected earlier this month, at which time her tenure as mayor expired. City Councilor and former Mayor Pro Tem Dean Brookie was installed as mayor on April 21 and will serve in that capacity until April 2016. Reach him at DeanBrookie@DurangoGov.org.
