DNF to set election date
The fate of the Durango Natural Foods Co-op Board of Directors is going to a vote.
Earlier this month, members of the local co-op who were opposed to a proposed merger with a New Mexico co-op mounted a petition drive to recall the Board. The drive, which ended Sept. 7, netted 184 signatures from active members, enough to trigger an election under DNF bylaws. Under the bylaws, 10 percent of the co-op’s nearly 1,300 members makes a quorum.
On Sept. 11, DNF Board President Geoff Wolf released a statement that the Board had received the petition and would set a date for the recall election at the Board’s next regular business meeting at 5:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 22, at DNF. Wolf noted although owners may attend to observe, it is not an open forum for discussion. More of those may be scheduled over the coming months.
“Other than scheduling the meeting, the Board is returning to our usual business agenda,” wrote Wolf. “We hope to redirect all the attention away from individual people and point it toward the Ends and Mission of DNF. That is the conversation that has value to us.”
Pursuant to DNF bylaws, a “special meeting” of members must be scheduled between 60-90 days of the Board accepting the petition, which was Sept. 9. The issue will be decided by a majority vote of members.
Those opposing the merger with La Montañita alleged talks were held in secret and the Board did not follow democratic process. They also expressed concerns that DNF would be absorbed by the larger co-op, which has 17,000 members. “We wish for a smooth transition with voluntary resignations by all seven members,” one of the petition organizers, Root Routledge, commented via email. He and fellow organizer Pat Blair would serve as an interim Board in the event of a recall. “We will focus on stability; governance and management structures and processes; and the enhancement of membership involvement and empowerment,” wrote Routledge in a statement last week.
Board members and supporters continue to express disappointment over the sudden turn of events. Wolf said the talks were still in their infancy and any final decision would have been thoroughly vetted and put to a member vote. “(There were) no phone calls, emails or personal contacts reaching out to us – only petitions, letters to the editor and press releases,” said Wolf. “Our door and meetings have always been open, and we have a proven record of cooperation with all that have contacted us.”
However, one thing both sides can agree on is their ongoing dedication to the co-op.
“We have a very fine little co-op store in our 40-year-old Durango Natural Foods Co-op, with excellent dedicated staff; all of which we should be proud as member-owners and DNF employees,” wrote Routledge.
Wolf, meanwhile, encouraged members not to shy away or become apathetic. “Support the co-op; shop at the store, come to a meeting, get on a committee, or apply for the Board. Get involved!” wrote Wolf. “In addition, make sure you understand both sides of every story, especially if you signed the recent petition.”
T2000 needs hands, gets a hand
Summer may be winding down, but Trails 2000’s work is ramping up. This Sat., Sept. 20, the local trails advocacy group will be holding a community trailwork day at Log Chutes from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Log Chutes Trailhead, about 2 miles up Junction Creek Road from the Colorado Trail trailhead. From there, they will be given tools and dispatched to the work site, a short walk away.
The work is part of an ongoing effort for a new, revived Log Chutes, much of which had become overgrown or was sorely in need of upkeep.
“We’ve done quite a bit of maintenance on Log Chutes’ existing trails and have started construction on a new, upper-loop trails,” T2000 Executive Director Mary Monroe said, adding that crews have been working on the project all summer. “Most of the maintenance could be done this week if enough people show up on Saturday.”
She said the group is still awaiting final word on an environmental analysis submitted to the Forest Service for the one-way downhill trail. A buffed-out version of the old World’s course, which is across the road from the current trail system, the trail would be downhill only – a first of its kind in the Western United States.
In other news, Trails 2000 recently was given $30,000 from the City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for the Chapman Bike Park. The funds will be used to pay Boulder-based Alpine Bike Parks to come up with a design for the park. Plans calls for a bike flow trail from the top to the bottom of the hill as well as another multi-use trail that will ultimately connect the top of Chapman to Folsom Park.
Monroe said she is hoping with the design work done, the park can be built mostly using volunteer power. Future features, such as ramps, walls and bridges, will be phased in over the years, as money and workers permit.
To sign up to help at the Log Chutes workday, go to Trails 2000’s Facebook page. Make sure to register by noon Fri., Sept. 19, to get counted for the free lunch.
– Missy Votel