From the Mayor – The Durango Herald

Melissa Youssef: ‘Seamless connectivity’ explains bridge project

A Jan. 22 article in The Herald, featuring an artist’s rendering of a proposed pedestrian bridge across the Animas River and over 32nd Street, prompted a flood of emails to Durango City Coun...

DATE: Feb 15, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Melissa Youssef: We’re checking the city budget more than twice

Small-town politics are unique because local residents are connected to each other in so many ways. We are friends, neighbors and co-workers. We experience multi-layered community relationsh...

DATE: Jan 25, 2020 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Melissa Youssef: The most thoroughly vetted Durango budget in years

Each December, City Council fulfills one of its most important responsibilities – approving a budget for the coming year. In council’s view, the budget should be directly linked t...

DATE: Dec 13, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Melissa Youssef: With home rule come great responsibilities

I hope you read my column last month (“ Council is nearing the completion of our search for an executive search firm to help us in this process. After considering 14 firms, councilors appro...

DATE: Nov 22, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

There’s more to city budgeting than ‘simple math’

Our city’s annual budgeting process is now underway and won’t be completed until December. I can speak for City Council when I assure you that we’re always cognizant of the fact t...

DATE: Sep 22, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Here’s how we’ll choose our next city manager

During a city council meeting on Aug. 20, City Manager Ron LeBlanc announced his retirement after almost 12 years of service. Although his announcement took City Council by surpri...

DATE: Aug 26, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

On streets, Durango is already ahead of the game

Can summer really be this far along already? I hope you are enjoying each and every day! In my column last month, I wrote about the Animas River Trail and how it connects our comm...

DATE: Jul 27, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Council looks to give better direction to staff

In my April editorial, I noted that change is in the air. Durango has a new City Council, with fresh ideas, open minds and a willingness to challenge the status quo. We recently g...

DATE: May 25, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

New Council and fresh restart for city

Spring has arrived in Durango and change is in the air. Mother Nature delivered both negatives and positives this past year, with a devastating drought and a wildfire that raged f...

DATE: Apr 19, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

We can’t afford to turn down this sales tax hike

As the mayor of Durango, I have a positive outlook on issues that make a difference to the residents of my hometown. Historically, our town has burned many times and, like a phoen...

DATE: Mar 18, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Our Durango will capture your heart

Happy New Year in 2019! 2018 is now in our rearview mirror. We all may have had difficult days, and now let’s look forward to healthier and happy times. Is your cup half full or h...

DATE: Jan 4, 2019 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Salute to city workers, local shopping

Giggles and squeals bounce off the Recreation Center walls as swimmers, families, and grandparents enjoy the waters during the holidays. Lighting the christmas tree at Buckley Par...

DATE: Dec 1, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis women’s lacrosse takes on UCCSSkyhawks fall 12-7 in Sunday’s RMAC regular-season finale; Ellie Martinez scores three goals for Fort Lewis