John Peel
Position: Action Line

Shreds of advice for paper towel problems

Dear Action Line: What masochist invented the dispensers that require towels to be pulled out with wet hands? Unless they are already dry, the towels just shred when pulled by wet finger...

Action Line’s advice for hikers and mountain bikers: When you see the other, give ’em the stink eye

Dear Action Line: While riding my mountain bike in the region, I have encountered more trail users than normal. I always slow or stop to offer a friendly greeting. Mountain bikers typica...

Nimbly navigating the mean streets of Durango

Dear Action Line: Years ago, I was taught the intricacies of motor vehicle movement on American roadways. This education included a strongly worded admonition to not stop in lanes of thr...

Coming soon? The Holiday Inn spur trail

Dear Action Line: Why is the river path/easement behind Natural Grocers still closed? It was my understanding that the improvements were a condition of building the hotel. Yet, the hotel...

Courthouse clock rings true once again

Dear Action Line: Why is the La Plata County Courthouse clocktower always sounding 8 minutes after the hour? Today I think it was actually 14 minutes late. Can you inquire with Quasimodo...

Rolling out the barrels for downtown flowers

Dear Action Line: Who is the city gardener who has done a wonderful job recently with flowers on Main Avenue? Is there a new line item in the city budget for flowers? They seem to be lon...

This week we fix signs and calm traffic

Dear Action Line: The sign encountered when approaching the Durango Community Recreation Center from the north on East Second Avenue – “No Recreation Center Access” – is unwelcoming. For...

Tree lovers tussle over targeted cottonwood

Dear Action Line: The city’s plans to build a trail crossing over the Animas River adjacent to 32nd Street sound logical. However, I am concerned about the fate of a magnificent old-grow...

Is Willie Nelson actually Batman when he’s not on tour?

Dear Action Line: Earlier today (July 29) we saw a bright yellow Datsun 280Z with “Batman” license plate in Mancos, heading for Durango. As we were pulling into the gasoline station, we ...

Dog days at Durango dining venues

Dear Action Line: Why are dogs not allowed in most restaurant/bar outdoor seating areas in Durango? Most mountain towns allow dogs in outdoor spaces and welcome them (and their responsib...

Political signs of the past, present and future

Dear Action Line: What’s up with all the political signs still posted around the county? Do these people not know that the 2020 election is over? – The Longest Year Dear Longest: Apolog...

Trying to love your new parking meters

Dear Action Line: Yesterday, we passed two poor-old tourist couples bent over, squinting at their parking meters trying to figure out how they work. In the past, we had tried numerous ti...