Durango’s 2017 municipal election for three open seats on the City Council, when seen against the backdrop of our national political scene, has been notably civil, and that is refreshing. We hope to see the civility continue regardless of the results.
Incumbent Dean Brookie has earned our respect and our recommendation for re-election. Invaluable during his turn as mayor, he provided the leadership the city needed during the Gold King Mine incident. Keeping him on the council will provide continuity on issues already on the agenda, and his professional expertise will be needed going forward.
Since our first endorsement of her run for the council, Melissa Youssef has only reinforced our perception of a candidate ready to hit the ground running. Her record of accomplishment and support among those she has served with previously on school and community boards is impressive; we look forward to similar results at City Council.
Like Youssef, Chris Bettin has made quite a name for himself in his previous service to the community, and we recommend him for a seat. He should bring the energy and progressive ideas needed as the council works to preserve the best of Durango while also preparing for the future.
The fight over ballot issue 1A, the fluoride issue, has been more heated, and reflects larger national concerns about how people receive, interpret and understand information in the internet age. At times, the background noise has threatened to cancel out the steady voices of science and medicine.
We prefer to listen to the national and international health organizations that recognize community water fluoridation as an effective and safe way to prevent dental decay and disease.
Vote against ballot measure 1A and retain fluoridation.
Welcome to the weekend opinion pages. Your paper has arrived on Saturday instead of Sunday, and there is a new business & real estate section to explore. With the exception of election-related letters and nationally syndicated columnists (posted in their entirety online), you’ll notice the page has not changed much. Perhaps it should?
We would like to hear from readers (letters@durangoherald.com) with suggestions for columnists and topics you would like to see featured, and what more we might do online. The print frequency change presents us with an opportunity to do things we have not done before. Following the industry trend toward “digital first” newsrooms, we will make the best use of printed pages and explore creative online publishing opportunities as well.
We are pleased to be forming an Editorial Advisory Board and planning informal Community Conversations to receive new input and ideas.
In the midst of change, you can still count on this: We are not any less opinionated. Our pages will continue to provide a forum for diverse expression and commentary on news and current events, and to foster a climate in which civil, informed debate about local issues can occur.
We live in an incredible location and share it with extraordinary people. Collectively, we share an interest in making our community, and our world, a better place. We look forward to doing so together, on- and off-line, in print and in person.
If you have not, please check out the opinion page online at durangoherald.com/opinion.
Thank you for being an engaged reader and informed citizen. Don’t forget to vote and return your ballot by April 4 at 7 p.m.
