Brushing up on the ballot
The 411 on the fluoride debate, City Council candidates

City residents will decide whether or not to continue to fluoridate city water. Those in favor of removing it say it's uneccesary and worst case, poisonous. Those wanting to keep it say it's beneficial to public health, particularly for lower income families./ File phto
It may be short and sweet, but it’s not without controversy. The ballots for the April 4 election in Durango have only
two items: the race for Durango City Council and one ballot initiative on fluoride.
The question on fluoride – Question 1A – is whether or not it should be added to the city’s drinking water. It turns out it’s a controversial question several years in the making.
In that time, the debate over fluoride has made the rounds through various advisory boards, council discussions and public meetings. In the end, the City Council voted unanimously to continue adding 0.5 milligrams of sodium fluoride to the 0.2 mg already in the water supply naturally to get the 0.7 mg federal and state public health officials recommend to help residents with cavity prevention.
Following that decision, a group of local advocates filed a petition with the city, triggering a process in which the Council can either approve a citizen-driven ordinance or send it to the voters. In this case, they sent it to the voters.
The ordinance proposed by the group bans city staff from adding fluoride to the water supply. The actual question on the ballot is whether or not the ordinance should be approved. If approved (a “yes” vote), city employees would be prohibited from adding fluoride to the water supply, a process called fluoridation. If it’s not approved (a “no” vote), they will continue to add it.
It’s something Durango officials have been doing since 1956. The practice originally began after an unexpected discovery in the early 1900s. A dentist in Colorado Springs noticed communities with higher levels of naturally occurring fluoride had fewer cavities than those without it. His revelation led to several studies, and by the 1950s, communities starting adding it to their water supplies to help with cavity prevention.
Fast forward half a century, and some communities have stopped the practice completely. Those who oppose fluoridation worry about potential toxicity and persistent exposure. They question whether it is a government’s role to make a decision about fluoridation – or if residents should be able to make the decision themselves.
Those who support fluoridation are concerned with the potential adverse effects ending the practice could have on children, particularly those in low-income households. They cite studies showing children who live in communities that add fluoride have fewer cavities than those who do not.
Both sides have campaigns to get the word out and websites full of information.
Those who want to end the practice and vote “yes” for the ordinance can be found at www.cleanwaterdurango.org.
Those who support fluoridation and a “no” vote against the ordinance can be found at www.voteno1adurango.org.
The second item on the ballot is the race for the Durango City Council. Although three seats are open, only one current council member is running for re-election – Dean Brookie. Mayor Christina Rinderle is termlimited and Councilor Keith Brant decided not to run again.
The four residents hoping to fill their seats are Melissa Youssef, Tom Eskew, Dave McHenry and Chris Bettin.
In an effort to help our readers learn a little bit more about the candidates and their stance on local issues, The Telegraph asked each of them a few questions. Here are their answers, printed in the order they were received:
Tom Eskew
Previous/ current occupation: Snow cat operator, wine distributer, ski instructor, doorman at Shooters Tequila bar! ISA Certified Arborist (current)
Hobbies: Rugby (formerly), skiing (all kinds!), trail running, bicycling
What is your favorite local hangout? In the outdoor realm, Peter Carver Memorial Forest/Rim Trail. In the indoor realm, El Rancho Tavern and Ska Brewing
If your music player was stuck on “Repeat,” what song would you want it to be stuck on? “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” by Angus Eskew; or if I couldn’t have that, “New Slang” by the Shins
What is your spirit animal? Owl. I have shared some mystical experiences with the owl.
Currently, the Durango community is wrestling with several topics, including electric bikes, marijuana business density, transit funding, affordable housing and more. What specific topic are you most concerned with and why? There is no shortage of hot topics … Motorized Lake Nighthorse issue is the one that propelled me off the couch to throw my hat in the ring. issue is the one that propelled me off the couch to throw my hat into the ring. The dramatic increase of the homeless population of Durango seems to be on a lot of people’s minds.
Dave McHenry
Previous/current occupation: Retired landscape architect
Hobbies: Bicycling (Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Ride the Rockies, Bicycle Tour of Colorado, Cycle Oregon, Cycle the
Sierra), mountain biking, hiking (my wife and I have hiked the Continental Divide Trail from Wolf Creek Pass to Silverton), camping, downhill skiing, skate skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, house remodeling and foreign travel.
What is your favorite local hangout? Besides our home in Animas City that we have lived in for the past 32 years, and going to the Dog Park with our reservation rescue dog, Roah, I would say Steamworks, Carvers and Durango
Brewing Co.
If your music player was stuck on “Repeat,” what song would you want it to be stuck on? “The Trip” by Still Corners because life is a trip – enjoy!
What is your spirit animal? Lone wolf
Currently, the Durango community is wrestling with several topics, including electric bikes, marijuana business density, transit funding, affordable housing and more. What specific topic are you most concerned with and why? I am most concerned about the lack of vision and fiscal responsibility exhibited by our local elected officials. If you are happy with the lack of vision that resulted in keeping the sewage treatment plant in the middle of town, if you are happy with the 250 percent increase in water and sewer fees, if you are happy with unpaved alleys and $25 parking tickets, if you are happy living next to unsafe rental housing, then by all means vote for the status quo. If not, then join me in my mission of fiscal responsibility and let’s get back to the basics – let’s do the simple things right!
Melissa Youssef
Previous/current occupation: My previous job (15 years) was president and CEO of Pyramid Billing, Inc.
Hobbies: I swim with Durango Masters swim team and bike, ski and hike. I love being outdoors on our amazing trails!What is your favorite local hangout? The deck at Animas Brewing Co. on a sunny day with an IPA, burger
and plate of chips.
If your music player was stuck on “Repeat,” what song would you want it to be stuck on? Jack Johnson’s “Good People,” reminding me of good times on Navajo Lake with friends and family.
What is your spirit animal? Zebra. I’m sincere, dependable, a bit eccentric. I tend to march to my own beat and am a hard worker. Currently, the Durango community is wrestling with several topics, including electric bikes, marijuana business density, transit funding, affordable housing and more.
What specific topic are you most concerned with and why? As a candidate I am, of course, concerned about many pressing local issues. But one particular issue has proved to be most troubling to the thousands of residents I’ve communicated with during my campaign. My campaign motto is “Your Vision, Your Values, Your Voice.” I listen to residents, view Durango through their eyes, seek to understand their values, and to be their voice. The issue most
concerning them – and therefore me – is homelessness on the streets. It’s a major issue in and of itself – but by no means a “stand-alone” issue. If not effectively addressed, the aggressive and growing reality of homelessness will exacerbate most, if not all, of the major challenges already facing Durango, causing further strains on infrastructure; Durango’s unique character; and the ability to maintain a strong, diverse local economy able to attract new businesses, healthy job market, city budget, etc. …
Chris Bettin
Previous/current occupation: Currently owner of a small real estate brokerage and a vacation rental management
company. Formerly the managing broker at Durango Mountain Resort. I’ve worked as a ski instructor, bartender, server, front desk clerk, spa attendant and carpenter.
Hobbies: Guitar, reading, mountain biking, and playing basketball with my son
What is your favorite local hangout? BREW!
If your music player was stuck on “Repeat,” what song would you want it to be stuck on? Ugh, that would
drive me crazy. That said, almost any song from Gregory Alan Isakov. If I had to pick one it would be “That Sea, The Gambler,” but it would drive me crazy after three plays.
What is your spirit animal? A Skyhawk.
Currently, the Durango community is wrestling with several topics, including electric bikes, marijuana business density, transit funding, affordable housing and more. What specific topic are you most concerned with and why? I’m most concerned with the following three issues: Housing opportunities: It’s critical that we make every effort as our community responds to change and growth to offer as many diverse housing opportunities as possible. Smart Growth: “The only constant is change.” Though we may wish it wasn’t so sometimes, much of the challenge and opportunity facing our community is how to grow and change without drifting off course. Infrastructure: Our evolving community is substantially impacted by the pace of growth and change. …A safe and modern infrastructure is vital to our ability to serve the local economy, attract businesses capable of employing our citizens with higher wages, and to fuel the many economic multipliers so paramount to the health of our local economy and community. For more, please see my website at BettinforDurango.com.
Dean R. Brookie
Previous/current occupation: Architect and land use planner
Hobbies: Flyfishing, skiing, percussion
What is your favorite local hangout? Carver’s
If your music player was stuck on “Repeat,” What song would you want it to be stuck on? “Lucky Man” by Alison Krauss
What is your spirit animal? White buffalo from my childhood in Montana
Currently, the Durango community is wrestling with several topics, including electric bikes, marijuana business density, transit funding, affordable housing and more. What specific topic are you most concerned with and why? The success of any community is dependent upon the level of engagement of its permanent residents. The key to this desired engagement, and maintaining a vital and real community, is to ensure quality and affordable housing for Durango’s diverse population. The city’s housing plan must identify specific strategies to support workforce housing for young families, as well as our aging population. Residentia housing is the hub of our community supported by its spokes that include transportation, infrastructure, living wage jobs and a welcoming business environment. These things are interdependent, and land use is the common denominator of virtually every aspect of the quality of life we all enjoy and wish to maintain. Effective land use integrates managed growth, access
to quality and affordable housing, a healthy environment, recreation, public transit, schools, quality water, and sewer and road infrastructure – all of the special aspects of our community. When all of these elements are in balance our community thrives and our enjoyment of this special place and lifestyle is enriched.