A major reason for change is a commissioner currently can be elected but lose in the district they are supposed to represent, which has happened in the past. It makes it difficult for someone to represent a district not wanting him or her to be their representative.

Another problem with La Plata County is the way the district boundaries are drawn. There is part of the city of Durango in each of the three districts, so it is possible for all of the county commissioners to be city residents and would be likely to make their decisions based on what’s best for the city, not the county. Conversely, but not likely, they could also all be from rural parts of the county and not heed the city’s interests. Since the city has about one-third of the county population, why not make the city one of the districts and then divide the county north to south or east to west at a point that would put one-third of the population in each of those districts? That would make it more likely to have commissioners representing the different needs and interests of the county.

Philip Craig

Durango