Fund-raisers set for O'Neil family

MaryKay and Paul O’Neil with their grandchildren, Travis and Evelyn. Several fund-raisers will be held for the O’Neils this month to help offset their recent medical expenses./Courtesy photo

Durango is rallying around a few of its own this month, with multiple fund-raisers planned for Paul and MaryKay O'Neil. Paul and MaryKay, who have lived in Durango for more than 30 years, were hit with bad news last year. In September, Paul, who worked as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker for several years, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Shortly after Paul's diagnosis, MaryKay, the longtime and much loved librarian at Park Elementary School, was diagnosed with cancer that has spread to her lungs, liver and brain.

According to daughter-in-law Kristin O'Neil, Paul is doing his best to fight this disease as the family looks into clinical trials, possibly this spring. There is currently no cure for ALS. Meanwhile, Mary Kay is receiving  – and responding well to – treatments at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Illinois.

In addition to their long tenure in the community, Paul, a former hockey player for Notre Dame, is an active member of the local hockey community. "Paul is the reason we have the ice rink," friend Jim Pritchard wrote in an email. "He pushed and pushed and helped bring back Chapman Hill Improvements Association in 1993 in order to get an ice rink in Durango. He served on the Board of Directors until 1998, when the city finally agreed to help build the rink."

The couple has been married for nearly 40 years and has two children: Kate, who now lives in Manhattan Beach, Calif., with her husband and two children; and Paul Jr., who lives in Durango with wife, Kristin.

Unfortunately, traveling for treatments has physically and financially exhausted the family, which is where friends and community members can step in. A number of upcoming fund-raisers are being held to help the O'Neils including:

- Chili dinner, Fri., Feb. 7, 6 p.m., Durango Elks Lodge (where Paul is a member), 901 E. 2nd Ave.  The Elks are serving red and green chili with cornbread and tortillas (all you can eat), for a donation of $10. A live dessert auction will follow at 7 p.m.

- Community Cares 5k, Running for the O'Neils, Sat., Feb. 15. Starts and ends at the Durango Rec Center. Registration from 8:30 -9:45 a.m.; 1k at 10 a.m.; 5k at 10:45 a.m. $10 suggested donation. Free t-shirt for first 200 participants.

- Zumbathon, Fri., Feb. 21, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Park Elementary gymnasium. $10 in advance. Register at www.zumbakarla.com

- Fund-raiser and silent auction, Sun., Feb. 23, 3-7 p.m., Ska Brewing. Music by local bluegrass band Running Out of Road; food provided by Durangourmet.

People unable to make the events or wishing to donate online can go to www.giveforward.com

New City Attorney announced

The Durango City Council has tapped Bayfield Dirk Nelson as the next city attorney. Nelson was selected from 16 applicants to replace long-time City Attorney David Smith, who is retiring after 37 years.

Nelson, who has practiced law throughout Colorado since 1983, earned his law degree from the University of Colorado. His areas of expertise include municipal/government, water, land use, business and commercial law. Clients include the towns of Bayfield, Ignacio and Silverton; the Bayfield and Ignacio library districts; Forest Lakes, Aspen Springs and San Juan River Village metropolitan districts; Upper Pine and Fort Lewis Mesa fire protection districts; and the Regional Housing Alliance.

The city attorney is one of three positions hired by the City Council. Council interviewed six finalists last week and selected Nelson at a special meeting on Monday night.

“Dirk Nelson brings excellent qualifications to the position of City Attorney, especially his long experience representing town governments in Southwest Colorado,” Mayor Dick White said in a news release. “In addition, he impressed the City Council and senior staff with his openness and outstanding communication skills. We look forward to having him as an integral member of our municipal government team.”

Nelson’s starting salary will be $140,000 and his first day will be Tues., March 1.

– Missy Votel