Opinion & Letters to the Editor

We can resist
Letters to the Editor

We can resist

December 10, 2024

After Jan. 20, abrupt changes are likely to Social Security payments, Medicare and Medicaid protections, and personal freedoms and rights. Financial hardship will follow any proposed tariff, causing food scarcity…

Officials, please consider residents
Letters to the Editor

Officials, please consider residents

December 10, 2024

In this newspaper on Sunday (Herald, Dec. 8), an article discussed stormwater infrastructure. Our Director of Public Works Bob Lowry stated over the last 10 years, a total of $2.8…

Continuing the dialogue for a stronger community
Letters to the Editor

Continuing the dialogue for a stronger community

December 8, 2024

Responding to Jim Sims (Herald, Dec. 3): Jim, thank you for your thoughtful observations about my recent letters. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify my commitment to fostering constructive dialogue…

Preamble about social rules, responsibility
Letters to the Editor

Preamble about social rules, responsibility

December 7, 2024

Our system of government is nearing its 250th anniversary. Some people take it for granted, but now would be a good time to remember a forgotten part: the Preamble to…

Amend past to incite civility
Letters to the Editor

Amend past to incite civility

December 7, 2024

Hope Scheppleman’s recent call for “civility and constructive dialogue” is a stark contradiction to her own divisive actions. During my 2023 City Council campaign, I organized “Drag You to the…

Our view: Wait and see on Trump’s DOE pick
Editorials

Our view: Wait and see on Trump’s DOE pick

December 7, 2024

With the expectation that Colorado energy company founder and CEO Chris Wright will become the country’s next head of the U.S. Department of Energy, and that Wright has a strong…

Give responsibly for Christmas
Letters to the Editor

Give responsibly for Christmas

December 7, 2024

Television commercials and other media are already directly or tacitly promoting the gift of pets for Christmas. But while that gesture may bring squeals of delight and smiles on Christmas…

Our view: Fingers, pedals crossed for 2030
Editorials

Our view: Fingers, pedals crossed for 2030

December 5, 2024

It’s five years off, and we don’t yet have the event, but Durango is once again fired up to host the 40th Union Cicliste Internationale Mountain Bike World Championships in…

A seasonal celebration of all things local
Editorials

A seasonal celebration of all things local

December 5, 2024

If Durango had a local calendar, Noel Night hosted by Local First would show up as a holiday. Not really just one night or day, even. This year’s 22nd “Noel…

Congratulations on Chapman Hill remodel
Letters to the Editor

Congratulations on Chapman Hill remodel

December 5, 2024

All Chapman Hill needs now is a little snow for us to try out the new lifts. Congratulations go out to: Matt Nimitz and Tim Kuss and all the Chapman…

Pop quiz
Letters to the Editor

Pop quiz

December 4, 2024

One guess only: Who does not want to pack the U.S. Supreme Court? One guess only: Who does not want to get rid of the filibuster is the U.S. Senate?…

Our view: A pardon, and prison
Editorials

Our view: A pardon, and prison

December 3, 2024

Joe Biden is being faulted for pardoning his son, 54-year-old Hunter, after having repeatedly saying that he wouldn’t, that he would let the judicial system run its course, uninvolved. Hunter…

Honest conversations welcome
Letters to the Editor

Honest conversations welcome

December 3, 2024

As an avid “letters” reader, I have noticed an astonishing change in Hope Scheppelman’s dialogue. Her tone seems to have changed, more conciliatory, well reasoned, a big change from her.…

Our view: Even presidents should not be above the law
Editorials

Our view: Even presidents should not be above the law

November 30, 2024

That the federal criminal charges against Donald Trump – who is soon to be president, again – have been dismissed because of a Justice Department policy that prevents a president…

An invitation to true civility and dialogue
Letters to the Editor

An invitation to true civility and dialogue

November 30, 2024

Response to Rhys Schrock letter (Herald, Nov. 29): Rhys, your letter reveals deep frustration, but it misses the core of my message. Civility and constructive dialogue are not partisan ideals;…

Charity also means a charity of spirit
Guest Columns

Charity also means a charity of spirit

November 30, 2024

cca Welcome to December 2024, folks. The holiday season is upon us. It is the time of year in most traditions and religions when we turn inward, when we focus…

Empty buildings make great homeless shelters
Letters to the Editor

Empty buildings make great homeless shelters

November 29, 2024

There are several empty buildings on Camino del Rio. The homeless shelter is outdated and far too small to be of much use. Why not encourage building owners to donate…

Why deport undocumented workers?
Letters to the Editor

Why deport undocumented workers?

November 29, 2024

Did you know that half the farmworkers who grow and pick America’s fruits and vegetables are undocumented? Did you know a fourth of workers who process meat, fish and poultry…

Two sides of solar implementation
Letters to the Editor

Two sides of solar implementation

November 29, 2024

Congratulations, 9-R. Installing solar panels on parking lots at six schools will save the district 58% on energy costs over two decades, according to the Herald. Properly sited over paved…

‘He should be in jail’
Letters to the Editor

‘He should be in jail’

November 29, 2024

In 1920, H.L. Mencken wrote, “on some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be…

Plea for constructive dialogue falls flat
Letters to the Editor

Plea for constructive dialogue falls flat

November 29, 2024

Response to Hope Scheppelman’s letter (Herald, Nov. 27): Hope, you call for civility and a need for constructive dialogue. You claim to abhor personal attacks and character accusations. What has…

Not quite protecting democracy
Letters to the Editor

Not quite protecting democracy

November 29, 2024

In the last election cycle, a number of La Plata County Democrats wrote letters to the editor claiming that they were protecting democracy. Not quite true. In fighting at the…

Our view: Merger, tax reallocation could benefit workforce
Editorials

Our view: Merger, tax reallocation could benefit workforce

November 28, 2024

The forensic audit of Visit Durango’s books showed nothing illegal, no one living extravagantly or pocketing any cash, only incidents of seemingly questionable judgment (Herald, Nov. 22). The audit revealed…

Thanks for words of encouragement
Letters to the Editor

Thanks for words of encouragement

November 27, 2024

To whomever recently wrote the many encouraging and uplifting words in sidewalk chalk on the river walk between the library and pedestrian bridge, thank you. I needed that! Derrick Martin…