The joys of climate control

Dear Editors,

Summer-like temperatures are here, at least in the afternoons. Mornings can still be a little chilly, though. Fortunately, thanks to technology, there are ways to make your morning trek from home to work or school convenient, cozy and comfortable, even when it’s 30 degrees outside.  The challenge is to get from your 70-degree home (OK, maybe it’s 68, if you have finally given into those freaky environmentalists) to your 70-degree classroom or workplace without you or your coffee getting cold.  The solution is simple.  First of all, don’t walk or bike to work – you’ll freeze!! Driving is the way to go. Now just make sure to run out to the car a good 20 minutes before you have to leave and turn her on! That’s right, crank her up! The car will be nice and cozy when you are actually ready to drive off. Lots of people know about this already. On a recent commute to my workplace, I walked past some 15 cars that were idling in driveways or at curbs, earnestly warming up to keep their owners toasty.  

Also, when you get to school or work, what if that parking place you had planned to use is not available? No worries! Just sit in the lot, with your car running of course, and wait until a convenient space opens up. This way, you (and your coffee, think Newton’s Law of Cooling) can stay warm, maybe listen to some music or make a few phone calls, and ultimately avoid any unnecessary exercise. (After all, you have already spent energy moving from the bedroom to the bathroom to the kitchen and to the car. Whew!)  Once safely inside your building, what happens if it gets too warm for you later on in the day?  Simple! Just prop open the outside doors of your workplace or school building and let all that annoying heat escape instead of frying you at work. (What to do about the smokers parked right outside those doors? I have a nifty solution for that, which I might share in a future letter.) Remember, it’s all about avoiding exercise and controlling your immediate climate for your convenience and comfort. Happy spring!

– P. K. Smith, via e-mail

TV snafu shows poor judgment

Dear Editor,    

I generally agree with the reasoning and conclusions that the “Mayor’s Minute” was a very bad idea, but I would not be so quick to let City Council candidate Sidny Zink off the hook. I was forced to drop my complaint against her and the City, not for lack of evidence, but because of the impossibility of preparing for a full-day hearing in Denver on less than six days’ notice.   Whether the City broadcast the “Mayors Minute” to help Zink’s campaign is still an open question, as I was unable to put the principals under oath to find out. The alternative that the city manager, assistant city manager and Zink never conceived that giving five minutes of free air time rebroadcast six times a day to one candidate was a problem during an election stretches credulity, but is a possibility I suppose. Maybe they forgot an election was being held?

However, it is a fact that both Zink and the City failed to pull the program when they were first informed about the “problems” (ie: violations of election laws). It was only when the issue became public, and therefore a public relations problem, that the “Mayor’s Minute” was suspended. And even then Zink acted like she couldn’t understand what the big deal was.

So the best conclusion we can reach is that Zink showed an incredible lack of judgment in using a City-owned, City-operated, taxpayer-financed cable channel to get her message out to the voters. When we put that together with her lack of judgment in attending a secret meeting of the Home Builders Association, her possible violation of the Open Meetings Act in the dismissal of a member of the Open Space Committee and her support for an obviously conflicted developer as a replacement for that member, the evidence mounts that the citizens of Durango can do much better. I would urge taxpayers to vote for candidates who understand the importance of open government and accountability. In this case, Jerry Swingle, Leigh Meigs and Scott Graham.

– Michael Black, Durango

Michael Rendon understands

Dear editors,

I’d like to encourage my fellow Durangoans to vote for Michael Rendon in the upcoming City Council election.

Michael has poured his heart and soul into this community, and we need Michael and others like him to help guide our community through some of the challenges facing us in the coming years. We can’t just wait around and hope the federal government will do something about global warming and renewable energy. Michael understands this. Ensuring affordable health care for the entire community will create jobs and save us money. Michael understands this.

Our entire community suffers when our teachers, firemen and preachers can’t afford to buy a house here. Michael understands this. If the city and the county don’t work together for smart growth, then 20 years from now we’ll have the same sprawl as everywhere else. Michael understands this.

The independent, locally owned businesses of downtown Durango are the lifeblood and character of this community. As a bookseller at Maria’s Bookshop, Michael understands this. That understanding comes from a long history of working in this community, with others, to get things done. It comes from looking for what’s right, not just who’s right.

So, again, I’d like to encourage you to vote for Michael Rendon when your ballot comes in the mail and be sure to have it at the County Clerk’s Office by April 3 (mail it by March 26 to be safe, or hand deliver it after that), and ask your friends to do the same.

– Thanks, Nathan Morris, Durango

Continue the good work

To the editors and citizens of Durango:

I am writing to encourage you to support Michael Rendon’s 2007 candidacy for the Durango City Council.

I would have been honored to serve with him on the council. I am confident that he has both the determination and the ability to govern well.

I believe in Michael and his vision. Michael will carry on with the goals and values that I brought with me during my own tenure on the City Council.

I served with Michael on the President’s Advisory Council for Environmental Affairs at Fort Lewis College. During those meetings I witnessed him chair with a clear focus, respect for those speaking and a sense of humor. Through a spirit of cooperation and with strong communication skills, he advanced the goals of the group.

Here are a few of the reasons I am encouraging you to vote for Michael Rendon.

Michael supports the preservation of open space. He opposes commercial and residential development on the ridgelines surrounding Durango. In addressing both of these, he sees that the issue of growth requires long-term planning with sustainability in mind.

Michael is well informed on the issues regarding the lack of an affordable housing supply in Durango and will seize opportunities to remedy this problem. Michael will help nourish the necessary political will to move toward investment in solutions.

Michael will work to increase the public’s knowledge regarding the benefits of supporting local businesses. He understands that buying locally benefits Durango’s economy. He values green business consciousness and will support local entrepreneurial efforts.

Michael will work to increase recycling in Durango. He has already done an enormous amount of work on this issue over the past several years, both at FLC and in Durango.

I know that a vote for Michael Rendon will be a vote for the successful continuation of the work I was able to accomplish because of your support.

– Virginia Castro, Russell, Colo. Elevation 8,460 feet, population 1

Durango’s interests at heart

To the Editors:

I urge your vote for Jerry Swingle for City Council. He has the breadth of experience and the commitment to enact city policies regarding critical issues facing Durango. He has lived, breathed and worked with these concerns for the 28 years he has been a resident. Jerry has actively been involved with 13 local, regional and state organizations to encourage responsive government, protect the environment and enhance our community. On a personal level, he is smart and takes the time in a conversation to listen and discuss all aspects of a question. By doing so, he demonstrates that he can represent a broad spectrum of ideas to benefit Durango.

I know that all of the candidates for City Council have spoken about the issues of scenic ridgeline protection, open space funding and sustainable growth management. They have also mentioned active participation in resolving the affordable-housing and primary health-care crises. However, the current make-up of the City Council still has not established actual policies to support the good ideas that have been expressed in the Comprehensive Plan. Even open space has not been fully supported at the level for which the community voted.

Finally, Jerry has worked tirelessly and intelligently for all of us here in Durango. I think he has at heart what is best in us and for us. Please vote for Jerry Swingle.

– Susan Merrill, Durango

A man who gets things done

Dear Editors,

Please vote for Jerry Swingle for City Council! Vote for a man who gets things done! He will certainly have our votes. We have gotten to know Jerry while working with him on the Train Smoke Task Force. The more we work with him, the more impressed we are with his intellect and dedication toward making Durango a better place to live. He is the one person who has done the most to improve air quality for residents of South Durango! His rational approach to reducing train smoke emissions by working with the DSNGRR for over a decade has greatly improved the air we breathe here in Durango as well as improve relations between South Durango residents and the DSNGRR. Over the years, his commitment has never wavered. He has always brought forward innovative solutions and thoroughly researched every technical and/or social issue.

Improved air quality is not Jerry’s only contribution. Jerry has been a participating member of this community for 28 years. His accomplishments also include:

- Having rights of individual property owners recognized and respected by oil and gas companies (working with San Juan Citizens Alliance)

-Securing fair energy prices as a member of the Colorado Utilities Consumer Board

-Preserving open space by keeping proposed developments reasonable and respectful of the environment

-Securing a permanent home for Manna, the Durango soup kitchen

Jerry Swingle does his homework! He asks questions, listens and researches every issue of concern until he has a thorough understanding of the task at hand. Jerry thinks outside of the box to solve difficult problems. He has a clear understanding of the area’s many issues, its people and its politics.

With his innovative ideas, expertise and commitment, Jerry Swingle would guide Durango in the right direction as a city councilor.

– Sarah Wright and Jessey Tase, South Durango Neighborhood Association and neighborhood representatives on the Train Smoke Task Force

A special affection for Durango

Dear Editors,

I sincerely support Scott Graham for Durango City Council. Raised in Durango, Scott has a special affection for this town. I have known him for many years, and he has been very active and open in his desire to protect our environment and to provide for a bright future for the next generation. Our community is known for its natural beauty, and some aspects of the growth of the town threaten those aesthetic assets. Moreover, with the global warming, we now need to pay special attention to our environment. Scott favors open, civil and respectful local government and gives high priority to a balance of parks, trails and open space that will protect wildlife and keep our town beautiful. He is also devoted to solving the problem of the lack of affordable housing, a task that will help preserve our middle class. Electing Scott Graham to the City Council will be a vote for a beautiful and sustainable environment, a decent regard for the quality of life of all citizens in Durango, and good, honest government.

– Myoung Fry, via e-mail

Walking the talk

Dear Editors,

I strongly and enthusiastically support Michael Rendon for City Council! Michael is someone who truly “walks his talk” – making his actions exemplify his beliefs and opinions – perhaps better than anyone I have ever known. I feel he is the most qualified candidate to support and expand sustainable policies that are based on his real world work experience, personal beliefs and integrity, and understanding of the issues.  

As a professional in the sustainable building field, I met Michael soon after arriving in Durango six years ago when he was director of the Environmental Center (EC) at Fort Lewis College. As a new community member, I found the EC to be an excellent information resource with its collection of books, videos and other documents. In addition, I found Michael himself to be an excellent resource and well known and respected in the community. He translated this information into the development and management of the Durango Green Pages – an excellent resource list of all organizations, businesses and individuals involved in greening the Durango area.

Later, I had the pleasure to serve with Michael on the President’s Advisory Council on Environmental Affairs at Fort Lewis College. In this setting, I got to see Michael’s management skills up close and personal as he chaired the monthly meetings. Michael’s leadership style is one of inclusion, coalition building, respect and humor. It was awe-inspiring to see how he deftly communicated with a wide range of meeting attendees – from the college president, to community members and students.

I know that Michael’s skills and personal and professional experience will serve him well on the Durango City Council. Please join me in voting for Michael.

– Michelle Reott, Durango

Pragmatic solutions

Dear Editors:

Please join me in supporting Michael Rendon for City Council. Michael is thoughtful, an experienced leader, a good listener, has proven ability to work with others for positive change, and is well-versed on local issues. He will bring much-needed balance to our City Council as our community grapples with so many important issues: growth, transportation, housing, recreation, open space, sustainability and health care. Michael will focus on problems not personalities and on producing pragmatic solutions, rather than politics as usual. Vote for Michael Rendon for City Council.

– Sandy Burke, Durango

Representation for Durango

To the Editors:

Contributors to Sidny Zink’s campaign comprise developers, real estate agents, architects, accountants and attorneys – all good reasons to vote for Jerry Swingle instead.

Zink’s accounting firm targets the construction industry in its advertising, and she has refused to provide a client list to alleviate legitimate concerns over conflicts of interest on matters coming before council.

Zink supported Darryl Crites – developer of the Mirador condos on the ridgeline above Albertson’s – for the city’s Open Space Board and said she was “disappointed” when public pressure forced him to resign. Zink has also insulted council candidate Scott Graham – calling him “delusional” in print and threatening him when he was interviewed for reappointment to the Open Space Board.

I was present when Zink told Graham she would “cause a huge stink and ask for your resignation” if he ever again wrote something she considered confusing as opposed to educational. Swingle – polite, articulate and reasonable with many years of community service – is a far better choice. He recognizes the need to protect ridgelines and to pass an adequate public facilities ordinance to prevent further sprawl.

Vote for Swingle, Graham and Leigh Meigs for a Durango that respects its roots and landmarks and represents all of us, not just the developers.

– Chris Paulson,

Durango

Ready to face any issue

Dear Editors,

Big up to the humble Michael Rendon on running for City Council again this year. His mind for the future is open to ideas and most importantly, it is unselfish. With a service work resume longer than his leg, Rendon works harder for the community than he does for himself. On top of that, you can tell he loves it (because he’s so easy to work with). There is really no limit to Rendon’s “Buy Local Program” as an economic spur for the region to ween us off of our gonzo development lust. A tight knit production/consumption regional economy would invariably boost the income, productivity and skill level of the lower-middle classes, which also plays nicely into his “Fair Share” plans for affordable housing. Furthermore, the “Thousand Roof Solar Initiative” he proposes will amount to more dignity and economic stability. It’s not unusual to find Rendon surrounding himself with plausible ideas that become all the rage years down the line. It’s funny to think about how many Saturdays of sold-out local produce Michael had seen at the Farmer’s Market, when “Buy Locally” finally hit the cover of some behind-the-times national publication a couple weeks ago. What a relief it would be to have Rendon in office to allay the encroaching reality of a Durango exclusive to overstuffed pockets and pro-paneled ridgelines. Rendon is ready to face any issue, and he walks more than he talks. Still to top the talk off, “Responsible Growth” is a big statement, I say we put it in action and vote Rendon.

– Gracias, Ryan Osborne, Durango

Focusing on outcomes

Dear Editors,

I fully support Michael Rendon for City Council and urge you to vote for him. Michael is the candidate who will work for the social, economic and environmental interests of our community and has the skills to work as a team member for productive outcomes on the council.

Michael will work for people who are struggling to find affordable housing and medical providers in our community. While he is well known in the community as an advocate for the environment, he is less known for his work with homeless people, and as a Red Cross volunteer during the Missionary Ridge fire. He understands the difficulty that many of our wage workers experience just trying to get by in Durango.

Michael will advocate for local businesses and promote healthy economics of self-sufficiency through local energy independence. He has worked with the Farm to School Program and helped establish the Durango Green Business Roundtable. Michael will work to protect open spaces and wildlife habitat for our community. He will work toward growth that makes sense for our community.

As a candidate, Michael is set apart by an ability to work with diverse people to achieve pragmatic, measurable results. He listens to everyone with genuine respect and cares about their concerns. He can bring decision-makers together to focus on programs and outcomes. He will move forward on issues that have languished, such as ridgeline protection and affordable housing. Please join me in voting for Michael Rendon for City Council.

– Jeanne Costello, via e-mail