As a cattle rancher, I would pay an especially large share of this tax. Many farmers and ranchers make an earnest living and cannot afford to be hindered with one more cost of living increase in the form of a property tax increase.

Agriculture is an important part of our La Plata County heritage, and our farmers and ranchers are often forced to make tough budget decisions. Why should our local government be any different? In recent years, our county government has pursued a number of projects that many, including myself, felt were far too costly and in some cases even unnecessary. While roads and bridges were underfunded, La Plata County spent money purchasing and renovating buildings. And according to The Durango Herald, some even questioned whether the county was squeezing small-business owners out of their office space.

Simply put, the county already has ample funds that could be diverted to road and bridge needs. Voters should send our local government a message that they need to make the same tough choices that La Plata County farmers and ranchers, small-business owners and families make every day.

Patricia Buck

Ignacio