I read the recent coverage of the Durango City Council’s selection of mayor and mayor pro tem with interest (Herald, April 24) and would like to offer a perspective based on firsthand experience.
I have served alongside Kip Koso on the boards of both Local First and the Local First Foundation. During that time, I have known him to be a thoughtful, engaged and principled leader who consistently does the work to stay informed and approaches decisions with care and accountability.
The article references concerns about leadership and trust, yet offers little context. My experience has reflected the opposite – steady leadership, integrity and a genuine commitment to the community.
Just as important is the issue of process. Longstanding practices provide consistency and a sense of fairness. When those norms are set aside, clear communication matters even more. From the reporting, that communication appears to have been lacking, leading to understandable confusion.
Durango is best served by leaders who engage fully and act with integrity. Our community also deserves a process that is transparent, consistent and grounded in trust – because when both reflect those values, public confidence follows.
Jeanne Randazzo Szczech
Durango