Soap Box

To the editor,

The local “daily” newspaper published an edited version of my letter Aug. 16. Unfortunately, they edited out the most important part. I think it is important to share with your readers also, especially after another recent fire at E. Second Ave and 30th Street, which the DSNGRR attorney insinuated was caused by transient butts. (Cigarette butts, that is.) Fortunately, Durango residents ably doused the blaze.

On Aug. 5 at 10 a.m., a DSNGRR pop car followed the train through Hermosa. On the back of the car was a pump and a surprisingly small water tank. North of the Highway 550 crossing, the operator dismounted, went to the back of the car and turned off a valve to the water tank, which had apparently been left open. I could clearly see that there was only 4 inches of water remaining in the tank. The driver/fireman paused momentarily to give us a look, got back in the car and headed north. As we crossed the highway, I could see the trail of water left between the tracks headed south. I believe the next place to get water to refill the tank would be Rockwood, well beyond where the 416 Fire started. It seems that the fireman didn’t need water, which is a good thing because he had very little.

This incident does not reflect the promises made by the DSNGRR to be responsible and proactive after the 416 Fire last year. Maybe it’s time to hold their feet to the fire.

– Christopher Meyer, Hermosa

To the editor,

Last fall I met a retired couple living nearby in an RV. Their daughter had contracted a debilitating disease requiring costly treatments. Although they had health-care insurance, their daughter did not. Out-of-pocket expenses devoured their savings, their possessions and finally, their home. Care for the daughter was available, but their insurance company would not approve it, and she passed away. In addition to their deep grief and dire financial suffering, the couple carried a sense of guilt, as if they had failed their child.

It’s a uniquely American scenario.

In America, 62 percent of bankruptcies are due to medical bills. Over 1 million Americans go medically bankrupt each year, stacking financial ruin on top of suffering an often life-threatening illness.

These days we hear hard-hearted political discourse designed to protect corporate profiteers and no one else. Well-funded think tanks pump out anger-stoking messages against “socialist” medical policy, pretending that caring for “the least of these” – what Jesus stood for – is a bad thing. Many uninformed voters, understandably angry at poor health care, are ready to blame someone. This think-tank propaganda fools some voters into actually believing that we’re not all “the least of these.”

All other developed countries love their universal health care. In 2004, Canada overwhelmingly voted Tommy Douglas, the originator of Canada’s universal health care system, to be “The Greatest Canadian.”

America can also have a health care system that covers everyone. By removing the profit motive from health care, National Improved Medicare for All will cover us all and for less than we’re paying now.

– Adele Riffe, Hesperus

To the editor,

Having announced my plan to retire in early 2020, I would be remiss to do so without recognizing the support and hard work of city staff.

City employees do not get enough recognition for the work they do. There is a mean-spirited trend sweeping the country that is eroding civility and denigrating respect for public servants. One way to combat that trend is to encourage the public to think about all the tasks completed by city staff that make their lives better.

While we were sleeping, patrol cars kept our neighborhoods safe, 911 Dispatch answered calls, and IS staff installed software upgrades. As Durango woke up this morning, people turned on the tap, flushed the toilet, then drove to work on well-maintained streets. Not to mention the efforts of airport staff who focus on safely navigating the horizon and library employees who expand our horizons. Let’s face it. The only time the public realizes what we do for them is when something breaks. The community places a high value on city services. The work performed by city employees is the foundation of the quality of life in Durango.

Citizens might like to know: What makes our staff answer the phone to deal with a belligerent caller? Why do Collection & Distribution crews get up in the middle of the night to stand in freezing cold water to repair a broken sewer or water main? Who would want to put on a police uniform to face the uncertainty of potential lethal threats while working a patrol shift? The list goes on.

City employees take pride in their work and in our community. They demonstrate high levels of professionalism and integrity. City employees want this city to be well run and a good value for the taxpayers. The individual efforts of city staff contribute to the overall success of the community. Staff are not looking for public recognition and accolades, they do this because they believe they can make a difference.

Honestly, there are parts about my job that I will not miss. However, I will miss working with the city staff. I would like to thank all members of Team Durango because you have made my job more rewarding and meaningful.

– Ron LeBlanc, City Manager