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The race for Durango City Council begins
The race is on, and six candidates are now vying for three available slots on the Durango
City Council. City voters will receive their mail-in ballots between March 11 & 21 and have until April 5 to
complete them. As ballots begin to hit local mail boxes, the Durango Telegraph again demystifies the election by
telling voters exactly what they need to know about the six hopefuls. The candidates' responses are printed in the
order they were turned in.
David Burke, 35
Occupation: Information systems manager at StoneAge, Inc.
Hobbies: Snowboarding, rafting, camping and hiking
Car you drive: F-150 Riley Carriage (golden retriever transport)
Favorite local restaurant: East by Southwest and Ken & Sue's
Last book read: DaVinci Code
First concert: Jimmy Buffet (I'm a parrot-head from way back)
If a tape got stuck in your car stereo what would it be?: KSUT's latest kick
back (i.e. "Lightning in a Bottle" or "Roots and Rhythms")
Famous figure you most identify with: If only I was as funny and dead on as
Bill Maher
Dream vacation: 21 days under sail, exploring the remote islands and ancient
villages within the Mediterranean Sea
What are the most significant issues facing Durango, and how will your election to City
Council address them?
I love Durango, and I believe that I have the energy, passion, intellect and drive to be a true asset to our City
Council. If elected, I will focus my effort on the following issues:
1. Growth: As a citizen, I've been active in making the necessary improvements and updates to our city's existing
comprehensive plan. If elected I will continue to be an advocate for thoughtful and planned growth.
2. Durango's Downtown Vision: Our downtown is the heart of our community, and I will work to increase the vitality of
our downtown by relaxing the parking requirements for our downtown businesses. In addition I would work to implement
a parking forgiveness program, in which patrons would have one parking ticket forgiven every six months.
3. Regional Housing Authority: I would like the Regional Housing Authority to consider a down-payment assistance
program for those prospective homeowners who could afford the monthly payment but are struggling with the down
payment.
4. Economic Diversity: The more we diversify our economy, the higher the wages paid will be, and the better suited
our local economy will be to weather change. Incentives need to be developed to encourage and support our business
community.
I pride myself on being a person of great integrity and a strong work ethic. I pledge that I will lead Durango toward
a more "livable" city for all of its citizens. Please visit my website at www.liveabledurango.org.
Virginia Castro, 38
Occupation: Account manager at Mercury Payment Systems
Hobbies: Hiking, creating art, writing poetry, being a Big Sister volunteer
Car you drive: 1996 Subaru Outback
Favorite local restaurant: Too many to mention
Last book read: Of Simultaneous Orgasms and Other Popular Myths (It
was a gift and the best thing about the book was the title.)
First concert: I have no idea. As a kid, every summer we went to the
Colorado State Fair, and there was always a concert. As a teen-ager, it's a bit of a blur, perhaps Van Halen or the
Scorpions.
If a tape got stuck in your car stereo what would it be?: Van Morrison's
"Moondance"
Famous figure you most identify with: Gandhi
Dream vacation: Nature walks and meditation retreat in Bhutan followed by
scuba diving in Australia
What are the most significant issues facing Durango, and how will your election to City
Council address them?
We enjoy fabulous views, clean air and a true sense of community. The challenge is to maintain the integrity of our
city in the face of tremendous growth pressures. Growth has the potential to impact many aspects of our lives
including traffic, affordable housing, open space and the environment. Over the last four years, I have worked to
address these issues and hope to continue to do so.
In cooperation with the county, we are undertaking a regional transportation study. No analysis of traffic in the
city would be complete without consideration of impact from noncity drivers. We can lessen traffic problems by
expanding public transit and making safe bicycle and pedestrian connections.
Property values have escalated beyond the reach of most working people. We have formed the Regional Housing Authority
and have required developers to provide a percentage of affordable housing in all new annexations. I am committed to
affordable housing solutions and will work to implement them.
I am committed to a dedicated funding source for the preservation of open space. We are so close. Vote yes on 2A and
help ensure that we have the money to maintain and acquire natural lands for wildlife, views and recreation when
appropriate.
I will continue to work to make Durango a leader in environmental responsibility. We now have plastics recycling. Our
diesel vehicles use bio-diesel and green standards are in place. We sponsored a Green Builders' workshop. New city
facilities, like the library, will be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Renee Parsons
Occupation: Retired grandmother of seven, president Friends of the
Animas Valley
Hobbies: Voracious reader, crossword puzzles, knitting, cooking, gardening, hiking
Car you drive: 1998 Subaru Legacy
Favorite local restaurant: Cyprus Café and Skinny's
Last book read: Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities
by Luther Probst, Sonoran Institute
First concert: Stevie Wonder at Hofstra University, Long Island, N.Y.
If a tape got stuck in your car stereo what would it be?: The Seldom Scene
Famous figure you most identify with: Rachel Carson
Dream vacation: On the Beach
What are the most significant issues facing Durango, and how will your election to City
Council address them?
Durango is a great place to live. That's why I'm running for the Durango City Council.
As a 21-year resident with the time, energy and commitment to serve on the council, I value our casual lifestyle, our
natural landscapes and our people. Before moving to Durango, I served as staff in the U.S. House of Representatives
and as a lobbyist with David Brower and Amory Lovins at Friends of the Earth.
During the last two years, I have attended many council meetings and believe Durango would benefit from an
independent voice who will act as a citizen's advocate. Some of the most significant issues facing the new council
will be whether developers pay their fair share of the costs of growth, threats to our old neighborhoods and
establishing an affordable-housing policy that addresses local housing needs first. I am committed to spending open
space dollars on open space and to make a new library our No. 1 capital improvement priority. I support a common
sense approach that would balance growth decisions with existing infrastructure.
A review of the city's outdated development impact-fee structure is necessary to offset potential tax increases, and
I would support adding impact fees for the library, affordable housing and general government expenses.
Protecting the Animas River corridor from commercial and residential development is essential as4 is adopting green
building codes that will ensure that future city facilities are built consistent with eco-design principles including
energy-efficient systems, and reduced water consumption and solid waste generation.
Protecting the Animas River corridor from commercial and residential development is essential as4 is adopting green
building codes that will ensure that future city facilities are built consistent with eco-design principles including
energy-efficient systems, and reduced water consumption and solid waste generation.
John Gamble, 57
Occupation: Director, Volunteers of America, Southwest Safehouse,
Durango Community Shelter, VOA Thrift Store.
Hobbies: Boating, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, hiking, running,
reading, nonprofit volunteering, spending time with my wife, family and friends.
Car I drive: 1996 Ford, `BE ton, four-wheel drive pickup. Good for hauling
horse trailers and for driving on backcountry roads.
Favorite local restaurant: East by Southwest, my son is the bartender.
Last book read: Angels and Demons, Dan Brown
First concert:Willie Nelson
If a tape got stuck in your car stereo what would it be? Little Charlie and
the Nightcats
Famous figure you most identify with: Bill Mashaw
Dream vacation: Around the world in 365 days.
What are the most significant issues facing Durango, and how will your election to City
Council address them?
Initiative 2A: Vote "Yes" on 2A. We need a new library. It is the intellectual heart of the community. Open space
acquisition, trails and parks enhance the spirit of our community. Sidewalks, roads and other public safety
improvements are critical for our children and our community.
Affordable Housing: We have been talking about affordable housing for years but have not done enough. I propose that
the city continue to require developer participation. At the same time, I will push for commitment of city funds to
partner with developers and La Plata County in this effort. I propose an expenditure of $500,000 in 2006, $750,000 in
2007, and $1 million each year thereafter in this effort. The newly formed housing authority is an excellent asset to
help leverage local funds even more.
Growth: It can not be stopped, but it must be managed with care and thoughtfulness.
National Issues: I will speak out on state and national issues affecting our community. Reduced standards of
emissions from coal-burning generating plants threaten our air quality. Roadless areas are facing new encroachment.
Three Durangos: I will participate in the Three Durangos. Efforts toward peaceful cooperation and international
understanding are essential for the survival of our community, nation and all of humanity.
Low-Income Food Tax Rebate: I strongly support the rebate of city sales tax paid on grocery store food to low-income
Durango residents.
Jim Schneider
Occupation: Self-employed for 13 years. Sales and service of office
machines
Hobbies: Camping, hiking, woodworking
Car you drive: Jeep Cherokee
Favorite local restaurant: The College Drive Cafe
Last book read: Eragon, with my daughter
First concert: Ozark Mountain Daredevils
If a tape got stuck in your car stereo what would it be?: Stevie Ray Vaughn
Famous figure you most identify with: Jimmy Carter
Dream vacation: Three-year tour around the world
What are the most significant issues facing Durango, and how will your election to City
Council address them?
I think the most important issue facing Durango is growth. The city has approved a tremendous amount of growth
recently, with much more anticipated. I think the challenge will be to deal with growth with common sense.
Nearly all of Durango's infrastructure will need to be updated, including the library. Durango will need adequate
roads to prevent gridlock and air pollution. Virtually no additional capacity has been added in the last 20 years.
Financing and building these roads will be a tremendous challenge.
I would like to address environmental issues. I think passive solar and improved insulation should be used for new
city buildings and the city should purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. Air quality will be an issue if the
proposed coal-fired power plant is built close to Durango. I think the city should take a strong, long-term stand
against any new coal-fired power plants in the Four Corners area.
I think the city should use local businesses and support the use of local businesses.
Affordability has been discussed for years. I would like to see some of these ideas implemented. I oppose eliminating
trailer parks without replacing the affordable housing they provide. I think the city and the county need to work
together on this issue.
What do we want Durango to look like in 20 years? How can we work together to fulfill this vision? If I am elected, I
will ask the hard questions and bring a common sense approach to dealing with local issues.
Doug Lyon, 41
Occupation: Management strategy professor at Fort Lewis College
Hobbies: Biking, hiking and skiing with my family
Car you drive: 1986 SAAB, 1999 Ford Expedition
Favorite local restaurant: It depends on the meal. Breakfast: Carvers;
everyday dinner: Olde Tymer's; nice dinner: Ken & Sues; coffee: any of our locally owned coffee houses
Last book read: Atlas Shrugged
First concert: Seals & Crofts (you know, "Summer Breeze")
If a tape got stuck in your car stereo what would it be?: Steely Dan "Can't
Buy a Thrill"
Famous figure you most identify with: Thomas Paine
Dream vacation: Hiking the entire Colorado Trail
What are the most significant issues facing Durango, and how will your election to City
Council address them?
The central question before us is how to keep Durango a great place to live and raise families. We must have a strong
economy for real people with real jobs and real mortgage payments to live here. If we talk about affordable housing,
we have to talk about growth and how to manage it. If we talk about growth, we have to talk about traffic. If we talk
about traffic, we have to talk about roads and how to pay for them.
We don't often get excited about and even think about roads and sewers or police and fire protection until there is a
problem. But public safety and smoothly running public services are the building blocks of our community. We must not
lose sight of that.
Our economy continues to evolve, and now economic vitality and environmental preservation go hand in hand. For
instance, we are developing niche markets in organic food and the farmers' market. We have a thriving arts and
cultural community. We have many knowledgeable workers in our community that make their money elsewhere and bring it
to Durango. We should look for ways to support these new types of economic activity. Our evolving economy is placing
an increasing premium on knowledge and information. So, regardless of whether or not the tax issue passes, we need to
find funding for a new library.
Our decisions must be approached with an appreciation for human needs and made methodically and analytically. I will
do that. Please vote for Doug Lyon.
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