There’s an analogy that says democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what’s for dinner. This is especially true for sin taxes. The public believes it’s a…
As a small-business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how Matt Salka’s leadership has positively impacted our local business community. During his time as the mayor of Bayfield, Matt worked tirelessly to…
The title of Mike Littwin’s Opinion page article in Sept. 8’s paper includes this startling statement: “Too bad your vote doesn’t count.” He raises a question that should finally be…
As a water and land lawyer, I have worked closely with Paul Black for many years. Paul is a farmer, rancher, business owner, president of Upper Pine Fire and Conservation…
As an educator who taught preschool through grad school, I implore you to vote for teachers and friends of education in our political races. Term-limited, former teacher, Rep. Barbara McLachlan…
I can sympathize with those who oppose abortion. I do not believe that any woman considers abortion lightly. But what happens when the government intervenes in a decision that should…
Sept. 17, Constitution Day (and Citizenship Day) is the beginning of Constitution Week, Sept. 17 through 23. This year marks the 237th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution by…
Biden’s greatest achievement was the evacuation of our troops from Afghanistan. Presidents Bush, Obama and Trump all failed to get us out of Afghanistan. Biden got us out with minimum…
Politically, I respect the gifts of conservatism and the gifts of liberalism. They each have useful contributions and ideas for us to hear, measure and blend. Where things go awry…
Jason Mietchen’s letter to the editor (Sept. 6) had a number of interesting points ranging from good observations to misinformed facts to snark. Mr. Mietchen is absolutely correct that the…
I want to share my experience with Matt Salka and why he has my full support for reelection as county commissioner. When my son was diagnosed with cancer, our family…
The many policy issues in November’s presidential election pale in relevance compared to the stark difference in character between the presidential candidates. Donald Trump has a long reputation as an…
As a native son, Jeff Hurd knows our Western Slope of Colorado. He raises his family in Grand Junction, where he is known as a genuine and hardworking leader. He…
I am writing to encourage Colorado voters to vote yes on Initiative 310, open primaries/ranked choice voting. I live in Alaska, where this system was approved by voters in 2020…
I am disheartened to read of the ongoing attacks on Bayfield Town Manager Katie Sickles by Trustees Alexis Hartz, Tom Au and Kat Katsos, et al. As a six-year resident…
I never cease to be amazed at the pass that Donald Trump gets in the mainstream media despite the consistently outrageous things he says, but this one really takes the…
That downtown Durango’s youngest business owners favor exploring the city’s Next Steps proposal for a more pedestrian friendly, walkable city is telling. This fits with the idea of urban design…
According to Lindsey Graham, Don Trump is “Bat (dung) crazy.” But that was then, before the wholesale of souls who made a bargain with the devil that Trump’s fascism is…
Next Step is a step in the wrong direction for our downtown. Surely, you all remember the city’s last great project idea, an unsightly overpass over the Animas River and…
Just wondering when the city is going to decide there needs to be some monitoring on the river trail. For the umpteenth time this week (it’s only Wednesday), a helmetless…
As a mother raising my children in La Plata County, I care deeply about the future of our community. I want my kids to grow up in a place where…
Planet Earth is in an extinction crisis, and climate change is affecting us and all species on Earth now and in the future. No mention of this from the presidential…
As the daughter of a career Air Force officer, and the proud grandmother of an active duty airman, I will never understand how any current member of the military, any…
La Plata Electric Association is in the beginning of a historic period that will shape the future of energy in our region. On April 1, 2026, LPEA will exit its…
I would like to take a moment to emphasize the importance of attending the upcoming Alliance Summit focused on “People, Place, and Purpose.” As has traditionally been the case, this…
Durango School District 9-R is asking taxpayers for another $150 million bond, even though we still haven’t paid off the $90 million from 2020. The school board seems comfortable spending…
Working two to three jobs in the 1990s-into the 21st century, I secured home mortgages on the south side of East Third Avenue that couldn’t be done in 2024, by…
The 2024 presidential election is just around the corner, and the survival of our democracy is on the ballot. The threat is not an external one such as a foreign…
In addition to football season and election season, it soon will be open season for Medicare and we’ll be bombarded with ads for Medicare Advantage from private insurance companies. If…
Hunter Lopez. Rylee McCullum. Humberto Sanchez. Kareem Nikoui. Nicole Gee. Taylor Hoover. These were kids serving their country in Afghanistan. On Aug. 26, 2021, parents and relatives of these kids…
