Facebook connects millions of people by giving them a platform to share photos, videos, personal messages and news. It is a place where friends, family, strangers, casual acquaintances and community members engage in a rolling conversation.
The Durango Herald is on Facebook with more than 40,000 followers. We post local stories, share photos and sometimes host live video. Those posts are viewed nearly 300,000 times per month.
Like most Facebook pages, we allow comments below story posts. We also allow comments at the bottom of stories on our website, www.durangoherald.com.
Sometimes, conversations are light and affirmative. Other times, they are emotional or thought-provoking. Too often, they devolve into vitriol, personal attacks, partisan politics or go off-topic.
The Herald uses a filter that automatically hides comments containing offensive language. We also have a robust terms of service policy as it relates to reader comments. Editors help monitor comments and hide those that violate our terms of service. Sometimes, we ban users who can’t follow the rules.
When moderating the comments, our editors often are impressed by some of the insightful, passionate or witty remarks that some people leave. Sometimes, readers help clarify a point of fact in our stories.
“At a time when some newspapers are eliminating comments about their stories, The Durango Herald remains confident that our readers will rely on their best judgment,” said Senior Editor Trent Stephens. “We appreciate your contributions.”
Beginning this week, the Herald will highlight five to 10 comments in an article that will appear online and in Friday print editions. We will present a new batch of comments each week.
The comments we choose are relevant to the original post, well-articulated and help elevate the discussion.
Here are a few of the comments that stood out this week:
“I was disappointed to see this the other day. When so many businesses do this downtown, there is no longer anywhere to park on Main Street should you actually want to visit one of these places. They cause congestion for both pedestrians and cars. Main Street’s infrastructure simply wasn’t made for this and it shouldn’t be allowed until whatever improvements are decided upon and implemented.” – Tom Packer
“Just make Downtown Main a pedestrian mall already! I also think we should put a casino/resort/music venue across the river with a sky bridge or monorail to downtown. Call it The Smelter!” – Matt Yoder
“How about some transparency on why employees are dropping like flies? In two months the center lost six employees, five of which were senior employees. Now the center is at critical staffing levels. Is there any oversight on what is going on?” – Amy Guyton
“1,000 new homes = 4,000 new people. That’s 4,000 more showers a day, 1,000 more loads of dishes, 1,000 more loads of laundry. I’ll bet they all want nice green lawns …Where does the water come from? Vallecito and Navajo are empty. Powell is almost kicked. This is next level dumb.” – Chris Eagan
“If we grow right, in the proper direction, with ‘small-town’ values in the forefront, then this will be a really good thing. Tax dollars can prop up small businesses in our community, we can once again see affordable after school programs with child care, and commercial developments that will allow our families to spend our earned money in our community. If we do it right, and we all participate, we can make Bayfield a truly great place for our children and their children. This change will be a great thing.” – Kyle Matthew Wolff
“Growth is inevitable unless everyone on earth wants to stop having kids. I’ve been here since 1979, have moved to several cities and moved back, and now have my own home here, and I’m lucky and grateful for that! This town has been desperate for more economic possibilities that aren’t related to construction or manual labor for a long time. Nothing wrong with those trades at all, but more options for those who want to do something different is a good thing. That being said, my suggestion for a crossing is no crosswalk on 160, but an underpass (be it a walking trail or a street) that goes from the biz route under 160 between the Church of Christ and the pawn shop and comes out on Mountain View by Mini Merc. That way the kids crossing town won’t have to worry about 160 cross traffic. People have died trying to cross that highway. I honestly think the key thing to focus on is how to do it the right way instead of trying to stop something that cannot be stopped. Our culture will never back down from growth until resources actually start running out. Water is already a problem everywhere in the west. When the real resource pinch hits none of this is going to matter anyway. Hope my kids get to live their lives before that happens, but who knows at this point.” – Matthew Phillips
“Why wouldn’t people want the company responsible for the fire that hurt so many businesses in Durango to be held responsible?? SO many of the comments here are supporting D&S – they are great for the town but when they screw up they should be held responsible just like any business.” – Michelle Piazza Ceradini
“It’s unfortunate that it took such tragic destruction for the DSNGRR to make these long needed changes, but Mother Earth and her shepherds are grateful that their future operations are more eco-conscious.” – Kristi Green
“The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was originally built in 1881-82 as part of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway’s effort to reach the rich mines of the San Juan Mountains. For decades, the line hauled ore from Silverton down to Durango, but after World War II its business shifted to tourism. So let’s do some basic math that seems to elude you. It’s been bringing a rich economy for 77 years, minus 1 year for the fire = 76 years of rich heritage and economic benefit.” – Brett Metz
“No it’s not. Durango also has skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, climbing, a liberal arts college, etc. The train is just one small tourist attraction, and they made a mistake that day and should be held accountable just like anyone else. It killed tourism all season including the train and they’ll be adjusting to the climate crisis like the rest of us. New normal unfortunately.” – Charlie Wecker
