City ponders open space tax

An additional half cent at the cash register could add up to big dollars for Durango open space, parks and trails. City officials are currently considering whether to ask voters to increase local sales tax by .5 percent. The jump could raise as much $2.6 million in 2005, and with projected increases in sales and inflation, $104 million by 2025. The Durango City Council will weigh the issue during a Jan. 11 study session.

The idea to increase sales tax to benefit open space, parks and trails dates back to last spring. At that time, the city conducted a survey of residents. "The survey we did last spring was overwhelmingly positive in support of a tax increase for open space, parks and trails," said Durango City Council member Virginia Castro.

In July, the council considered whether to put the question to voters during the November election. However, timing became a critical issue, particularly with the Responsible Growth Initiative already dominating local attention spans. As a result, the sales tax increase went on the back burner.

"There were some council members who felt that the November ballot was just coming too quickly, and by delaying it until April, we'd be able to address any concerns" said Castro. "Personally, I would have been happy to see it on the November ballot. I'll be just as happy to see it in April."

Whether the rest of the council will be happy to see the issue on the April ballot will be determined beginning Jan. 11. The details of any potential ballot issue also have yet to be resolved. On the one hand, the city has studied the potential of raising sales tax by one-half cent on each dollar and putting the proceeds entirely toward open space, parks and trails. On the other, it's given consideration to splitting the funds between open space, parks and trails and other municipal capital projects.

The council will consider the issue during the study session on Tues., Jan. 11, at 5 p.m. in council chambers. Public comment will be taken during the council's regular meeting on Jan. 18 at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Lynx reintroduction forges ahead

Efforts to reintroduce lynx into the wilderness northeast of Durango are proving to be wildly successful. Colorado Division of Wildlife trackers have confirmed there were at least six more lynx kittens born in Colorado last spring than initially thought, bringing the 2004 known kitten total to 36.

"We have now documented 13 litters for the 2004 reproduction season with a total of 36 kittens," said Tanya Shenk, the DOW's lead lynx researcher. "From snow tracking this month we determined a female we suspected had given birth does have two kittens with her."

At least 52 lynx have now been born in Colorado since the initial release in 1999. Initially, reproduction was a problem for the cats transplanted from Canada and threatened to derail the entire effort. However, kittens were first discovered in the spring of 2003 and more have shown up since.

"We have already received 16 lynx from Quebec that will be released this April in the core recovery area in Southwestern Colorado," said Scott Wait, DOW Durango area biologist.

The DOW tracking crew will work through March. They first located cats by monitoring radio signals picked up by technicians flying in DOW aircraft or from a satellite that records signals from each lynx once a week.

'Skins' cast selected for La MaMa

Following its highly successful run at the Fort Lewis College Mainstage Theatre last month, the "Skins" theatre project has selected the cast for the New York City performance at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. The locally produced play was selected to perform at the prestigious theater on March 3-13.

After four days of auditions, six students and seven alumni will head to the Big Apple for the experience.

Fort Lewis College Professor of Theatre and Women's Studies Kathryn Moller is the project's adaptor, director and choreographer. Of the casting decisions, she commented, "I am thrilled about the significant number of students and alumni that we've selected, enabling us to carry out our original mission of leveraging this incredible opportunity for Fort Lewis College, the Theatre Department and the Durango area arts community."

Fort Lewis students who are part of the current skins ensemble include: Darnell Daniel, Caitlin Dent, Desiree Henderson, Josh Martin, Gabrielle Mischke and Allison Wiest.

Fort Lewis alumni who are part of the current "Skins" ensemble are: Shereen AbuSaeedi, Talia Bamerick, LeAnne Brubaker, Kanako Hiayama, Elizabeth Thomas, Erika Wilson Golightly and Eagle Young. In addition, Felicia Meyer from Pagosa Springs will join the ensemble as a professional performer, and Assistant Professor of English Kurt Lancaster will create a documentary film about the production. Moller plans to audition professional New York-based and international performers in January to complete the ensemble for the La MaMa performance of "Skins."

"Skins" is a conceptual theatrical production that merges poetry and art with stage music, voice and body. It was adapted into performance by Moller from a collection of poetry and sculptures and ties together common themes and motifs about body perceptions and human relationships with the earth.

River Trail work to restrict traffic

Construction of a pedestrian resource will interrupt vehicular traffic on Main Avenue for the next four months. Work on the Animas River Trail at the Main Avenue underpass commences this week, and traffic will be restricted.

Starting on Wednesday, Jan. 5, traffic at the Animas River Bridge will be restricted to three lanes of through traffic, two lanes in the southbound direction and one lane northbound. On Jan. 28-30, four lanes of traffic will be opened, two in each direction for the Snowdown weekend. However, beginning Jan. 31, traffic will be reduced to only two lanes, one in each direction for the duration of construction. No left hand turns will be permitted on Main Avenue between 14th and 17th streets during this period.

The city encourages motorists to use alternate routes during construction to minimize delays. Additionally, delays may be necessary to allow priority passage of emergency vehicles during peak periods. Increased traffic should also be expected on side streets during the lane closures. The Main Avenue Trolley will also be free of charge during the lane closures on Main Avenue.

Commissioners to honor Josh Joswick

Longtime County Commissioner Josh Joswick will be honored for his 12 years of service Monday. Fellow commissioners will host a reception to honor him upon the conclusion of his term.

Joswick was elected county commissioner in 1992. In his 12 years in office, he has served on the boards of the San Juan Basin Health Department, San Juan Forum and La Plata Economic Development Action Partnership. He has also been a member of the Southwest Regional Transportation Planning Commission, Colorado Counties Inc. (CCI), Land Use and Natural Resources Committee, and CCI Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Prior to his election as commissioner, Joswick served as mayor of Bayfield from 1988-92.

The Jan. 10 reception takes place at the La Plata County Courthouse Anasazi Room, 1060 E. Second Ave., from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

- compiled by Will Sands