McHenry neighborhood advocate

 The editor,

 The past two years as a permanent city resident have been an eye-opening experience for me. It appears that our neighborhoods need an advocate on the City Council that will counter city officials who have tendencies toward increased density, large hotels, vacation rentals and creeping commercialization. 

Please join me in voting for Dave McHenry. He has worked diligently with other neighborhood organizations to address issues that affect our historic Durango community.

– Tony Rocha, Durango

White for a healthier Durango

To the editor,

This letter is to endorse the candidacy of Dick White for continuation of his good service to our community as a city councilor. I was probably one of the very first persons in the Durango community to meet Dick when he arrived here some years ago from New England. I have called him my friend ever since that first meeting, and since that moment in time I have come to greatly respect his dedication to this community and his passion for creating a better, more just and more unified world.

I have found Dick to be one of those rare individuals who has the capacity to view complicated and difficult issues simultaneously from many different perspectives. This, oftentimes, gives him a unique and broad vision of how to come to an appropriate solution that will best serve the majority of those involved.

He has been a very studied member of the City Council for the last four years, and his experience 4

going forward will, I feel certain, help lead our community in a good direction. For a healthier, wiser, and more sustainable Durango, please join me in supporting the candidacy of Dick White.

– Ron Margolis, Durango

Permits won’t solve parking woes

To the editor,

According to yet another survey dropped off at my home, “The Third Avenue Boulevard Association and representatives from East Fourth Avenue are actively pursuing a plan for residential permitted parking on East Third and East Fourth in order to reduce congestion.” If a plan is implemented, unless you live on these two streets, you will not be allowed to park there. 

I am adamantly opposed to residential parking permits in our historic core. Durango has a parking problem, but this effort will only push the problem to another street.

I am a 33-year resident of Durango, with 10 years in the 1100 block of East Third and 15 years in the 700 block of East Fourth. I am grateful to own a house, and a car period. Living in the historic district is an added bonus. 

The people who park in front of my house comprise our workforce. The Colorado State University cycling team parks out front during the collegiate criterium, and I invite them to use my bathroom to clean up and change clothes. Parades and events bring cars to my street.

If permits were enacted, the food-service employee who works until 2 a.m. would now find her or himself walking to East Fifth Avenue. Visitors to Durango would see “resident-only permits” within two blocks of the Durango Welcome Center. 

Many neighborhoods in Durango absorb parking. The City of Durango, La Plata County government and the Business Improvement District need to offer incentives to their respective work forces for parking in the existing permit lots. And we need a large-capacity parking facility. 

Amber Blake, the Multi-Modal Administrator for the City of Durango needs your feedback. She is not a proponent or opponent, but it is her job to facilitate the request for a residential permitted parking plan. 

Let her know if this plan would impact your business, your experience in visiting downtown – and most importantly, your safety as an employee working late-night hours. Call 970-375-4949 or email BlakeAK@ci.durango.co.us.

– Beth Lamberson Warren, Durango

Editor’s note: The City of Durango will host a neighborhood meeting on the proposed residential permit parking program at 5 p.m. Thurs., April 9, in the Carnegie Building, 1188 E. 2nd Ave. The program would apply to East 3rd and 4th avenues, from 4th to 14th streets. The purpose of the meeting is to gather residents’ comments, concerns and issues.

A 21st century ‘Der Sturmer’

To the editor,

Criticism of the Senate Republicans’ letter to Iran regarding a possible agreement on Iran’s nuclear ambitions is certainly valid. Many thoughtful people of all political persuasions believe it was a bad idea. Others feel that the administration will do anything it can to achieve an agreement with Iran. They feel that a witless White House will give Iran access to nuclear weapons that will destabilize the Middle East. They think that not only Israel, but also Turkey, Saudi Arabia and all of the Western-leaning countries in that region will be imperiled. For example, Saudi Arabia already has begun talks with South Korea (which sits across the border from a near-nuclear North Korea) about its own nuclear development.

Mr. Wells’ recent cartoon, however, is another example of his continuous hatred and animosity toward Israel and the Jewish people. In November 2003, Mr. Wells penned an openly anti-Semitic cartoon that featured a caricature of then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a huge, hooked semitic nose building a wall around a peaceful bird. It is called, the “Sharon Wall Co.” Now he shows Mr. Netanyahu leading Colorado Sen. Gardner by a leash because Mr. Gardner signed the letter expressing his concern about the direction of Obama’s foreign policy related to Iran. The implication, of course, is that Colorado’s Jewish population, currently estimated at 2 percent of the state’s population, has him captive on a leash for their evil designs of supporting Israel and not that Sen. Gardner is justly concerned about the foreign policy direction of the Obama administration. “Mr. Wells’ cartoons might well appear in a kinder, gentler, 21st century edition of Der Sturmer.

– Michael Lubin, Durango

A vote for White is a vote for the future

To the editor,

Dick White listens. Having worked with Dick in several different committees both addressing broad community goals and specific City needs, I appreciate his willingness to truly listen and understand the facts before forming an opinion. This open-mindedness and well-thought-out approach is critical for a City Council member. Dick has proven this over the years on Council, weighing the complex factors that affect lawn use, development, budgeting and promoting sustainability in a fiscally responsible way.

Our city faces difficult future decisions on growth and maintaining aging infrastructure. A vote for Dick White is a vote for making solid, long-term decisions that will support Durango for years to come.

– Ryan Huggins, Durango