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 CJ’s Diner being listed for sale, La Plata County establishing an affordable housing fund, a Colorado bill that would allow police officers to live across state lines, among others.
We enjoy readers’ input and reactions to local stories: People 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:
“While I agree that CJ’s Diner has been an important part of our community, I’m not sure why we are glorifying the difficulties they experienced during the pandemic. It was their personal choice to challenge the law, and the law won. Hundreds of other establishments in Durango were faced with exactly the same challenges and made heartbreaking decisions such as cutting staff, limiting business hours and doing whatever they needed to do to survive. It would be really great to see stories about those businesses who followed the letter of the law and triumphed in spite of the difficulties. With regard to the Martinez’s leaving Durango, that one confuses me as well. True Durangatangs ride the waves of change in this town and don’t tuck tail and run when things get rough. They are beloved community members, but if it's all just been too much maybe they should leave.“ – Suzanne Dernoga Garcia
“It was really nice to see a longtime business in this community stand up for something that most people were scared of. Defending our rights in this nation is few and far between. I commend this business owner’s efforts for standing up for something that wasn’t right. Look at us now, we no longer know how to act as a society. We’re blinded by mandates that were confused as laws. CJ’s Diner always had my family’s support. So sad to (see) them go.” – Camille Bisbee
“So this restaurant chose to sue the county because they didn’t want to follow federal and state health and safety regulations like everyone else – during a pandemic. And now they’re blaming the lawsuit that they instigated for the fact that they can’t stay in business? With ‘business skills’ like that, it’s a wonder they stayed in business for as long as they did.” – Suzie Null
“All we hear about is affordable housing. Like saying the word means you care. Define the word, put a number on it and stop misleading people. What is it? A single-family house with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath? At what price could a waitress in Durango afford that house? $100K, $200K, $300, $50K?? Let’s say we’re able to slash the average price from $750,000 by half. Now the home is $375,000. So is that going to let every server and landscaper, Walmart clerk and all other workers go out and buy that home? I doubt it. 35 years and nobody has even had one positive idea to reduce the cost of a house. Get real, affordable means you can afford it, if you can’t afford it, you don’t get it. 1990 Toyota Camry with 3 wheels vs a Tesla? Not happening right?” – JJ Wilson
“Assisted living facility? No! Moving/storage? No! Car dealership, a hotel, and a large apartment developer? No. No. No. Three Springs residents need a grocery store. Mercado market doesn’t cut it. Plan smart! (Also, a dog park would be nice.)” – Amy Tracy
“Converting to ‘clean energy’ will never save anyone money. Does that mean we shouldn’t do it? Not necessarily. But, is clean energy actually clean and is it really easier on the environment? The debate carries on. Regardless, I am sick and tired of the lie that clean energy will save money. Just stop already. I challenge anyone to show me where it has saved anyone money. And, before anyone gives an example don’t forget to figure in the cost of converting to solar or wind which has to be included.” – Eric M Speck
“Is there a new solar farm there now? How about a wind generation farm? No? How about a state of the art nuclear reactor? When those become a reality there will be savings for all.” – Matt Yoder
“Pass the bill. Unfortunately, it has become necessary. As long as POST approves then go for it. Plus it is absolutely ridiculous that the median home prices are well over $600,000.00. Then people are expected to work, pay taxes and be able to buy homes or even pay reasonable rents within Durango and La Plata Co areas…people…this isn’t a Dell Webb neighborhood in Surprise, AZ. Bottom line, if you want to attract or retain employees to fill vacancies businesses complain about then do something about affordable housing.” – Millie White
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got. The knee-jerk punative response from law enforcement has been a trillion dollar smoldering flop, grounded in ignorance and nearly 50 years of gaslighting from the law enforcement community. The ‘war on drugs’ was a screaming success for law enforcement departments securing billions for high-tech toys for panic-pedaling politicians, and for the massive opioid dealers like Perdue Pharma, Johnson and Johnson and McKesson (never criminally prosecuted). But in the end it was a miserable failure and failed to protect the American people. For once and for all, Chief Brammer, let’s recognize law enforcement has miserably failed. There is a role for law enforcement in this. But it’s not in leadership. Let’s turn policy over to addiction and public heath professionals and let THEM redesign how law enforcement fits in.” – Peter Tregillus.
