From the Mayor https://www.durangoherald.com/section/columnists-from-the-mayor/feed/ Stay informed with the latest breaking news, local stories, sports, business, weather, and community events from Durango, Southwest Colorado, and the Four Corners region. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 11:09:36 -0600 en-us 30 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/melissa-youssef-seamless-connectivity-explains-bridge-project/ The bridge, with the purpose of connecting two parts of the Animas River Trail (one section ending just south of 32nd Street on the east side of the river and the other continuing north from 32nd Street on the west... Sat, 15 Feb 2020 05:33:06 -0700 9E649208-BE8F-60D9-E053-0100007F7CA9 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/melissa-youssef-were-checking-the-city-budget-more-than-twice/ This City Council shares the belief that those of us who live in Durango are all in this together. Our compelling motivation in serving our community is to support the best quality of life possible for all Durango residents. We’ve... Sat, 25 Jan 2020 05:33:24 -0700 9CD37C66-314E-14C5-E053-0100007F0882 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/melissa-youssef-the-most-thoroughly-vetted-durango-budget-in-years/ In council’s view, the budget should be directly linked to council’s established goals and should provide funding to achieve these goals, which represent the needs, desires and values the citizens of Durango have voiced. The process began this year when... Fri, 13 Dec 2019 12:33:24 -0700 9985A3DC-26E2-0DFE-E053-0100007F3EF9 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/melissa-youssef-with-home-rule-come-great-responsibilities/ Council is nearing the completion of our search for an executive search firm to help us in this process. After considering 14 firms, councilors approved the selection of a national search firm, Slavin Management Consultants. We hope to have a... Fri, 22 Nov 2019 05:30:00 -0700 97DE3707-2CFE-0BA5-E053-0100007FD8A6 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/theres-more-to-city-budgeting-than-simple-math/ I can speak for City Council when I assure you that we’re always cognizant of the fact that the decisions we make must accurately reflect the needs, desires and values of the residents of Durango. How much we accomplish during... Sun, 22 Sep 2019 11:33:07 -0600 92D90AEE-FFFD-33D8-E053-0100007FC323 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/heres-how-well-choose-our-next-city-manager/ Although his announcement took City Council by surprise, we recognize that change is healthy and represents new and dynamic opportunities. We thank Ron for his service to Durango and celebrate the many contributions of his tenure. Recent accomplishments include the... Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:08:14 -0600 910730DE-8C00-3694-E053-0100007FA2D0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/on-streets-durango-is-already-ahead-of-the-game/ In my column last month, I wrote about the Animas River Trail and how it connects our community. This month, with the recent voter-approved half-cent sales tax increase for street, sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements (Ballot Measure 1A) taking effect... Sat, 27 Jul 2019 05:33:15 -0600 8E846D78-1AF0-17B6-E053-0100007F9C23 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/council-looks-to-give-better-direction-to-staff/ Durango has a new City Council, with fresh ideas, open minds and a willingness to challenge the status quo. We recently gathered for a day-and-a-half retreat. It was a valuable opportunity to establish council priorities and lay the groundwork for... Sat, 25 May 2019 05:33:24 -0600 8990BA6A-CF98-13DF-E053-0100007F12FF https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/new-council-and-fresh-restart-for-city/ Mother Nature delivered both negatives and positives this past year, with a devastating drought and a wildfire that raged for months on end, followed by flooding and mud slides. Thankfully, winter brought abundant moisture and a snowpack that will go... Fri, 19 Apr 2019 05:33:31 -0600 86D1B0E7-D23E-4314-E053-0100007FA71F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/we-cant-afford-to-turn-down-this-sales-tax-hike/ Historically, our town has burned many times and, like a phoenix, rises to be rebuilt. The Animas River has overflowed its banks and wreaked havoc on our mountain town. The mining spill turned the Animas orange and the negative publicity... Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:48:29 -0600 84252E21-0D88-2D3A-E053-0100007FC966 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/our-durango-will-capture-your-heart/ We all may have had difficult days, and now let’s look forward to healthier and happy times. Is your cup half full or half empty? Our attitudes make all the difference in how we see the world. I asked a... Fri, 04 Jan 2019 05:33:13 -0700 7E90FADF-EBEF-6DE2-E053-0100007F941C https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/salute-to-city-workers-local-shopping/ Lighting the christmas tree at Buckley Park and singing with Santa are sweet traditions in the Durango community. Noel Night, Dec. 7, is a time to shop locally, to see old friends downtown, and to have our packages wrapped for... Sat, 01 Dec 2018 07:03:19 -0700 7BD157E7-F83D-7FC9-E053-0100007F33D6 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/comparing-apples-to-oranges/ Marburydu1-i-syn I don’t live in Montrose, drive on their streets or call their police when I need help. The citizens of Montrose have a sweet town. They are not a college town, or operate an airport, a library, and a... Sat, 27 Oct 2018 09:03:07 -0600 7912BBC7-3905-15E2-E053-0100007FDD62 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/invest-in-durango-vote-yes-on-2a/ Marburydu1-i-syn I’m voting in support of 2A for the police department and for street infrastructure. What do we get for our vote? Durango will be able to accommodate – through design, construction, operations and maintenance – a new police station,... Fri, 21 Sep 2018 09:43:04 -0600 76647E63-73E5-5ECD-E053-0100007FC016 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/marbury-a-raise-in-sales-and-property-taxes-is-needed/ Sweetie Marburydu1-i-syn I’m voting for construction, operation and maintenance of a new police station; public safety; code enforcement; street improvements, including curbs, gutters, sidewalks and alleys; and city buildings on Nov. 6. Nineteen eighty-two was the last time the city... Sat, 01 Sep 2018 01:03:45 -0600 74BE3FF0-98BA-55FB-E053-0100007F4C61 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/marbury-sample-whats-really-cool-this-town/ Mayor Sweetie Marburydu1-i-syn As the mayor of Durango, I have been meeting tourists downtown and thanking them for coming to Durango. I have met the family reunion group from Tyler, Texas, the family from Utah, the mommy and daddy with... Fri, 27 Jul 2018 22:51:22 -0600 72089456-140B-183D-E053-0100007F23CD https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/marbury-i-could-not-be-prouder-of-our-town/ du1-i-syn Extreme drought conditions with the fire have brought out the best in family and friends of the Southwest. Durango implemented water and fire restrictions. City Council chose to close city-owned open space so as not to burden our local... Sat, 23 Jun 2018 10:27:40 -0600 6F5245F6-84F6-4C59-E053-0100007FD5BD https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/do-not-take-our-unique-oasis-for-granted/ du1-i-syn We chatted briefly, and she knew all of the hills and roads I associate with training for this strenuous competition. As I listened to her speak in such glowing tones about our special hometown, I was seeing Durango through... Fri, 08 Jun 2018 23:04:28 -0600 6E2F37F2-5817-513F-E053-0100007F3443 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/marbury-another-wonderful-day-in-durango-proud-to-call-it-home/ Sweetie Marbury I haven’t changed my opinion since 1974 when I first drove into Durango. Our unique mountain community with agrarian roots, Western heritage, first-rate schools, Fort Lewis College, diverse populations, a vibrant downtown, recreational amenities, trails, public lands, cobalt-blue... Sat, 28 Apr 2018 05:05:20 -0600 6ADB03C2-D06B-30A3-E053-0100007FE0F5 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-working-together-out-of-our-love-for-durango/ Mayor Dick Whitedu1-i-syn Looking back over these essays, I see persistent themes, particularly fiscal issues, climate change and homelessness. They share a common element: They are “wicked problems” that will not yield to methodical scientific approaches because they inherently involve... Sat, 24 Mar 2018 05:05:02 -0600 68191C88-0BFB-43A1-E053-0100007F70A4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-homelessness-in-durango-when-they-are-us/ Mayor Dick Whitedu1-i-syn The keynote speaker, University of Denver professor Don Burnes, shared a compelling definition from a professional woman who was homeless for years as a child: “Home is a safe, secure, stable place to be, a sanctuary, a... Sat, 24 Feb 2018 05:05:02 -0700 65E81E83-0EF6-15BF-E053-0100007F8E93 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-join-us-in-efforts-to-deal-with-a-changing-climate/ Dick White, Mayor of Durango Droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods: none respect political dogma. Climate change mostly results from human activity that increases heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. I learned the basic physics of this phenomenon in graduate school 50... Sat, 27 Jan 2018 05:05:16 -0700 63B1F266-C006-592C-E053-0100007FADD0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-transit-changes-and-aspirations/ Mayor Dick White Public transportation systems across the nation depend on subsidies because fare revenues fall far short of providing sufficient funds for operations and raising fares disproportionately impacts low-income transit-dependent riders. In Durango, the subsidies have mostly come from... Sat, 23 Dec 2017 05:05:57 -0700 60F45D2C-52A8-590E-E053-0100007F8044 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-thanksgiving-reflections-on-people-and-place/ Dick Whitedu1-i-syn The phrase “in Durango” is central for us, so on this Thanksgiving weekend, let me identify aspects that make us grateful for this place. It starts with the wonderful natural environment and the moderate four-season climate, the resultant... Sat, 25 Nov 2017 05:04:33 -0700 5EBEFDC6-5DE8-43F5-E053-0100007F0B83 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-addressing-wicked-fiscal-issues/ Mayor Dick Whitedu1-i-syn Durango City Council is well into the process of reviewing the 2018 budget proposal from City Manager Ron LeBlanc (http://bit.ly/2i99ZlA). The proposed $79 million operating budget has a small surplus, but plans about 3 percent less spending... Sat, 28 Oct 2017 05:03:46 -0600 5C8CA585-F850-0F2F-E053-0100007F27F0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-dfpd-a-vital-service-our-lives-depend-upon/ Richard White In particular, immediate response from the Durango Fire Protection District slowed the spread of the Lightner Creek fire until aerial attack could contain it. The outcome was an immense relief of residents in the Rockridge and Crestview neighborhoods... Fri, 22 Sep 2017 18:04:46 -0600 59CA888F-D51D-29D2-E053-0100007FB237 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-short-and-long-term-planning-budget-and-bears/ Mayor Dick White Central to long-term planning is to understand citizen priorities for the future. What do you think might be good investments of additional tax dollars? What kind of additional taxes might you be willing to support? The city... Sat, 26 Aug 2017 05:00:00 -0600 5797651C-77F0-7316-E053-0100007FD0F3 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-climate-sustainability-housing-current-council-priorities/ City of Durango Mayor, Dick Whitedu1-i-syn At a recent study session, councilors considered minor revisions to existing goals to align with the priorities articulated by the new council at our May retreat. We expect to approve the updated goals document,... Sat, 29 Jul 2017 05:03:18 -0600 5564A849-06B0-46A2-E053-0100007FF85A https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/white-transparent-budget-process-welcomes-public-participation/ du1-i-syn When I was a young academic, others took care of funding. When I became a college professor, I eventually supervised a small operations budget for my two-member department and larger specific allocations for my research grants. Still, my father’s... Sat, 24 Jun 2017 05:03:18 -0600 52A6E06C-0158-4867-E053-0100007F3BC9 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/state-of-the-city-a-whole-greater-than-the-sum-of-the-parts/ Mayor Dick Whitedu1-i-syn That foundation includes collaborative attitudes among city councilors, as well as dedicated staff throughout the organization. It also includes long-standing stability in the city manager’s office, in which just three individuals have served in about 58 of... Sat, 27 May 2017 05:02:21 -0600 505FEF53-4B40-46BB-E053-0100007FD77F