Durango’s City Council election is a chance to compare those committed individuals willing to do this difficult, thankless job. But it’s also is a referendum on the kind of city we are. Council members are considerably underpaid, so they almost uniformly come from our patrician class – those financially comfortable enough to donate their time and energy.
Don’t get me wrong, I salute every Council member and recognize their sincere intent. But what happens when we keep electing white, straight, wealthy people to a governing body? We may not realize it, but we exclude everyone else. We need everyone’s voice and vision!
This year, we are fortunate to have two candidates who have shown their deep commitment to our community through their work, and who can finally bring the diversity we have lacked. Gilda Yazzie grew up in a large Navajo family and brings traditional family values, conservation protectiveness, and considerable city and county board experience to this job. Harrison Wendt has been tirelessly immersed in local politics and community service projects for years, yet still finds time to teach Sunday school at a grateful church here in town. Both are deep listeners with kind souls.
Durango purports to be an inclusive, forward-looking community; no doubt many of us are. But look at our track record. Let’s open the city gates to those who have had no voice in city politics. I present Wendt and Yazzie, rare gems and dear friends.
Kirby MacLaurin
Durango
