Your Front Row Seat | A Durango CO Community Blog by Melissa Youssef

Welcome To Your Front Row Seat

….where you can stay on top of, and in tune with, the dynamic issues and initiatives that impact all of us who call Durango home. In addition to running for Durango City Council, I will continue–albeit on a more limited basis–to research, write and share articles, guest editorials and blog posts about issues I’m passionate about, like outdoor recreation, education, economic development, arts and culture, and responsible growth. Through Your Front Row Seat, I strive to present information and facilitate discussion to advance, enhance and support the character and qualities that make Durango special. What drives me is the promise of a high quality of life for everyone who lives here.

Outdoor Recreation

You can’t separate Durango from its stunning natural beauty, rugged geography, and world class recreational opportunities. These opportunities represent some of the most unique, inspiring and compelling aspects of our community. As an active outdoor enthusiast and athlete, as well as a current member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and a member of the Board of Directors for Trails 2000, I have a finger on the pulse of the issues affecting recreation in our area. Check back in for policy updates!

Community

The notion of community – the sharing of common attitudes, values, and interests – is the glue that unites and motivates us to work together toward common goals. I care deeply about protecting and building on the character qualities that make Durango distinct and unique. Stay tuned to stay abreast of what’s happening in Durango.

Education

Among all of the opportunities we want to provide for our children, I believe education is paramount. A solid and richly textured education will give today’s students the tools to become America’s next great leaders. I believe in promoting educational choice and rigorous curricula, and engaging in solution-based conversations about the problems confronting educators in our community (and across the U S) today.

Dec 17 2018

American Rivers Podcast – Ripple Effects Episode 2: Durango, Colorado

InArts & Culture 0

I want to share a podcast that I recently collaborated on with American Rivers, a Colorado-based non-profit dedicated to protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature. It was a fun project, highlighting the importance of investing in natural resource-based community assets that improve our quality of life, enhance our enjoyment of the outdoors, and bring tourist dollars to our local economy.
Mar 21 2017

Complex Homeless Issue Weighs Heavily on Durango Residents

InCommunity 9

Dear Durango Community-

What are the biggest issues challenging Durango?

All five candidates running for Durango City Council have repeatedly been asked this question in recent weeks. Our answers are appearing in…
Mar 13 2017

Your Voice: Results of the First “Your Front Row Seat” Reader Survey

InCommunity 1

Since I started “Your Front Row Seat” in summer 2016, it’s been both gratifying and inspiring to see the level of interest in the local issues presented. I’ve also been…
Mar 08 2017

A View From the Campaign Trail – March 2017

InCommunity 0

I have been wanting to send an update for weeks now..… This campaign is a B-I-G effort and has been a full-time-PLUS job in terms of time and energy as…
Jan 22 2017

Teens Thrive- Durango Mental Health Initiative

InCommunity 0

New Initiative in Durango Focuses on Teen Suicide, Bullying and Mental Health Awareness

We want our teens to live lives of joy and purpose. Far too often that joy can be…
Jan 16 2017

Fort Lewis College’s New Geosciences, Physics and Engineering Hall – One Extraordinary Facility, Many Benefits to the Community

InNews and Media 0

This month, students at Fort Lewis College will for the first time enter the brand new Geosciences, Physics and Engineering Hall. The building is the culmination of a massive infrastructure…
Jan 16 2017

Melissa Youssef Announces Bid for Durango City Council

InNews and Media 0

Melissa Youssef announced Wednesday she’s running for a Durango City Council seat, and she promised to invest in Durango’s infrastructure, provide transparent fiscal oversight and work with the community to…
Dec 30 2016

An Invigorated Fort Lewis College Commits to STEM-Focused Education

InEducation 0

An Invigorated Fort Lewis College Commits to STEM-Focused Education

In January 2017, students at Fort Lewis College (FLC) will for the first time enter the brand new Geosciences, Physics and…
Dec 19 2016

Interview with Cathy Metz – Director of Parks and Recreation

InCommunity 0

Q & A with Cathy Metz

Cathy Metz has served the City of Durango as Parks and Recreation Director for 20 years. The Parks and Recreation Department is nationally accredited by…
Dec 19 2016

History of Organic Parks in Durango

InCommunity 1

Organic Park Management in Durango, Plus a Q&A with Cathy Metz, Parks and Recreation Director
Last week on “Your Front Seat,” guest contributor Cody Reinheimer wrote a blog post on Durango’s…
Dec 09 2016

Cody Reinheimer on Parks are for People and Pets, Not Poison

InCommunity 4

Guest Opinion: Cody Reinheimer on Parks are for People and Pets, Not Poison
Cody Reinheimer of Durango, CO

A public park is exactly that—a place where the public can park themselves…
Nov 21 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

InCommunity 0

Hello Friends!
Just a note to let you know how GRATEFUL I am to be on this journey with you through my blog, “Your Front Row Seat.” I’ve learned so much…
Nov 10 2016

Bill Zimsky on Airports, Roads and Bridges – Guest Opinion

InCommunity 12

Guest Opinion: Bill Zimsky on Airports, Roads and Bridges in La Plata County
Now that the voters have rejected mill levy increases for both the expansion of the airport and for…
Nov 03 2016

Durango Transit – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

InCommunity 2

“You can’t get there from here!” These words are NOT a hallmark of a healthy community!

Public transportation has been a vitally important social service for Durango since 1982, connecting residents…
Oct 21 2016

Roger Zalneraitis on Airport Ballot 1B – Guest Opinion

InCommunity 7

Guest Opinion: Roger Zalneraitis, Executive Director La Plata County Economic Development Alliance – Airport Ballot 1B Guest Opinion

As the director of the Economic Development Alliance, we have been strong advocates…
Oct 18 2016

The Durango La Plata Airport – Ballot 1B

InCommunity 10

Not unlike air traffic controllers directing flights in and out of the world’s largest cities, La Plata County voters in the coming election are asked to determine what routes will…
Oct 11 2016

ESchools – Guest Opinion Post by Mike Freeburn

InEducation 0

Back in 1990 when I was a student teacher at Durango High School, the Internet didn’t yet exist and a flip-phone was purely Star Trek fodder. Now, the flip-phone is…
Oct 08 2016

“Those who can do, those who can’t teach” – The downfall of American Education

InEducation 6

Guest Opinion Post by Dave Farkas
As an educator at a PBL/EL charter school, we’re trying everything we can do to motivate our kids and present a unique and interesting approach…
Oct 05 2016

Southwest Colorado eSchool and the Emerging Online Education Evolution in Durango

InEducation 1

I’m an ardent proponent for educational choice. I believe in supporting and promoting diverse educational venues where parents and students can opt for excellence via educational pathways that best meet…
Aug 23 2016

Durango Business Improvement District

InCommunity 1

Durango Business Improvement District: Ensuring That Downtown Durango is a Desirable Destination for Locals, Visitors, and Business Owners
Although Durango has many thriving neighborhoods, most locals and visitors consider downtown the…
Aug 22 2016

E-Bikes on Durango Trails

InRecreation 2

Backed by support from the Parks and Recreation and the Natural Lands Advisory Boards, the Durango City Council prohibited electronic bikes on city trails as of May 2016. Safety was…
Aug 21 2016

Recreation and Usage at Lake Nighthorse

InRecreation 0

There’s no question that Durango residents want public access for recreation on Lake Nighthorse. It is, however, a complicated and contentious issue with many stakeholders involved. After decades of negotiation,…
Aug 20 2016

Roads and Bridges Mill Levy Ballot Initiative

InCommunity 1

In November 2015, voters in La Plata County said no to a mill levy increase on residential property taxes. In July 2016, the La Plata County Board of Commissioners voted…
Aug 19 2016

Durango Parks and Recreation Roadmap and Priorities

InRecreation 0

It has been my privilege to serve on the City of Durango Parks and Recreation Advisory Board since January 2014. Members of the Board collectively provide recommendations to City Council…
Aug 18 2016

Testing in Schools Detracts From Our Children’s Education

InEducation 2

When the mayor of America’s largest city is ecstatic that 38 percent of New York City students passed the Common Core test for English, we have a problem. From a…

Welcome To Your Front Row Seat

Outdoor Recreation

Community

Education

#FrontRowSeat

American Rivers Podcast – Ripple Effects Episode 2: Durango, Colorado

Complex Homeless Issue Weighs Heavily on Durango Residents

Your Voice: Results of the First “Your Front Row Seat” Reader Survey

A View From the Campaign Trail – March 2017

Teens Thrive- Durango Mental Health Initiative

Fort Lewis College’s New Geosciences, Physics and Engineering Hall – One Extraordinary Facility, Many Benefits to the Community

Melissa Youssef Announces Bid for Durango City Council

An Invigorated Fort Lewis College Commits to STEM-Focused Education

Interview with Cathy Metz – Director of Parks and Recreation

History of Organic Parks in Durango

Cody Reinheimer on Parks are for People and Pets, Not Poison

Happy Thanksgiving

Bill Zimsky on Airports, Roads and Bridges – Guest Opinion

Durango Transit – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

Roger Zalneraitis on Airport Ballot 1B – Guest Opinion

The Durango La Plata Airport – Ballot 1B

ESchools – Guest Opinion Post by Mike Freeburn

“Those who can do, those who can’t teach” – The downfall of American Education

Southwest Colorado eSchool and the Emerging Online Education Evolution in Durango

Durango Business Improvement District

E-Bikes on Durango Trails

Recreation and Usage at Lake Nighthorse

Roads and Bridges Mill Levy Ballot Initiative

Durango Parks and Recreation Roadmap and Priorities

Testing in Schools Detracts From Our Children’s Education

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