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Sep 18 2020 
High fives all around in job search
To the editor,
I want to take this opportunity to convey my deep gratitude to the many members of our community who participated in the search process for Durango’s new city manager. Although the process is not yet over (we still have to finalize employment agreements), the unanimous Durango City Council decision to offer this position… -
Apr 24 2020 
Our view: What a year for Durango’s leader
Mayor Melissa Youssef leaves office after managing unprecedented events
Durango’s outgoing mayor Melissa Youssef wrote her final here’s-what’s-going-on-in-the-city column for The Durango Herald Saturday (“Well that was quite a year as Durango’s mayor,” April 17).Youssef had no shortage of significant topics for reflection.
Here is how the Herald’s editorial board sorts the 12 months of events and offers praise for…
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Apr 17 2020 
Well that was quite a year as Durango’s mayor
What extraordinary times these are! On April 21, my term as mayor comes to an end. In a reflection of how life in Durango has changed, I’ll pass the gavel virtually. As tradition would have it, Mayor Pro Tem Dean Brookie will assume the position.
Durango’s encounter with Covid-19 has changed my outlook and reshaped the…
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Feb 17 2020 
‘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 Council members. One email in particular captured, for me, the frustration many residents are feeling. The text consisted of a single word, “WHY?”
The…
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Feb 03 2020 
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 relationships and interactions through our schools, churches, businesses, work, organizations and events in the community at large. We step in to help when there’s a need and pull together…
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Dec 16 2019 
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 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…
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Nov 22 2019 
With home rule come great responsibilities
I hope you read my column last month (“This is why we’re scrutinizing city’s budget,” Nov. 2). In addition to summarizing all that City Council has accomplished in the past six months, it highlighted a critical task for these coming six months: The hiring of a new city manager.
Council is nearing the completion of our…
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Nov 05 2019 
This is why we’re scrutinizing city’s budget
As I write this column we’re still enjoying beautiful fall weather – but I’m reminded I’m past the halfway point in my term as mayor. As you know if you’ve been reading my monthly columns and following local news, my first six months were challenging in many ways.
The theme of my first mayoral column was…
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Sep 23 2019 
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 that the decisions we make must accurately reflect the needs, desires and values of the residents of Durango.
How much we accomplish during 2020 may appear…
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Sep 06 2019 
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 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.…
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