Each week we highlight some of the most insightful, passionate and witty comments shared on Facebook in response to stories in The Durango Herald.
This week, readers weighed in on a proposed managed campsite in west Durango, a spike in behavioral incidents at Durango School District 9-R, the 32nd Street pedestrian bridge, high gas prices and residents’ wish to purchase Triangle Trailer Park.
We enjoy your input and reactions to local stories: Readers can weigh in via our Facebook page, at the bottom of local news stories on our website at www.durangoherald.com or by writing a letter to the editor.
Here are a few comments that stood out this week:
“This is a great step to serve as transitional housing for those seeking permanent housing. For those seeking recovery, they cannot be successful without stable housing. In conjunction with the support services and the significant improvements to Manna’s navigation center, those experiencing homelessness in our community will have the resources and guidance to transition to permanent housing. Thank you, Commissioners, for your diligence with this process ensuring vulnerable members of our community are not forgotten. I think this it is a highly appropriate and beneficial use of the available funds through the American Rescue Act!” – Melissa Portch
“It would be great if the city purchased a property and turned it into housing for people who work in the community. I know there are grants out there to get that process done. I’m not saying this is bad, but honestly, that much money on folks who many when asked say they chose to be ’home free,’ when you have kids struggling to find a place they can afford who are busting it working three jobs in Durango.” – Lisa Bourque
“Independent testing for radioactivity from the old smelter operation, please and thanks in advance.” – Natán Rebelde
“I’m sure you realize there’s been ‘free camping & drug use’ all along. The managed camp provides multiple opportunities. First is staying in compliance with the U.S. Constitution when enforcing public camping laws. Next is the ability to align resources with those in need in order to address individual root causes and find occasional successes moving people away from homelessness. Hard to do any of that without the managed camp, so that’s the first step. Will word get out that Durango is homeless friendly? Yep.” – Larry Darrell
“That children are expressing behavioral problems at school, with such an alarming increase, suggests the need for significant intervention. The current invective expressed by adults and politicians is certainly a contributing factor, the ramifications of COVID-19 another. We all have a stake in raising well-adjusted children; let’s all act like we do.” – David Kozak
“Dang that dude is STRONG!” – Silas Armstrong
“I’ve lived a block and a half off 32nd Street for 17 years. People push buttons, look both ways and cars do not stop! It is not busy only during rush hour. Trust me. The goal of the ART is continuous flow and no at-grade crossings. This project was a compromise to that goal with the trail having to cross the RR tracks, but I’ll take it. It’s a huge safety improvement on this end of town. The city got very lucky in acquiring that corner property. It will at least allow for safe passage via an underpass on a street that sees 10 thousand cars total per day in both directions. This morning was a testament to how much volume 32nd Street sees. Riverview and Florida were backed up receiving 32nd Street traffic. I loved that people actually alternated at the Chapman rotary regularly letting Riverview traffic in every other car. Loving the community feel during a busy time. Thanks Durango!“ – Ellen Stein
“You are absolutely correct. This is a total waste of $4 million that could have gone to other, higher priority uses. There were simple answers to this so-called problem that were totally ignored because elites demanded having their way.” – Jerry McGeorge
“The margins at the pump over rack prices (what the station pays) are small. They usually make more on a bottle of water than a few gallons of gas, so the stations aren’t the issue. As far as Silverton prices, it all has to do with when the fuel was purchased. Busy stations in Durango likely use a few tankers (8,500 gallons) or more a week, so they pay an updated rack price constantly and prices fluctuate often. In Silverton, especially during the shoulder season, it may be 2-3 weeks in between tankers. Therefore, if the station in Silverton hasn’t purchased in a while, their prices haven’t risen based on the current rack price yet. It will go up when they order a load. If prices in Durango are similar to Silverton it’s a good indicator that the price in Silverton is going to go up. I filled all my stuff up, we will see if I’m right.” – Malcolm MacDougall
“The slippery slope the county commissioners started is gonna come to fruition. Since the county secured a 1.5 million dollar loan for the Westside Park they should feel obligated to help these folks. How many more parks are there?” – Eric M Speck
