Soap Box

To the editor,

We can all relate to that trigger, someone or something getting us to change. For me and my relationship with plastics, it started out in Cincinnati. The grocery store gave out tokens in exchange for customers using their own bags. Those tokens then supported charities. My grocery store was helping the environment and cared about nonprofits. I had to jump on board. I purchased my first reusable bags and started out on my journey beyond plastic. To say it was easy, I cannot lie. I first had those darn  bags by the door, but kept forgetting them. I then tried keeping them in the car, but failed to bring them into the store. I had to retrain myself, but I am now successful with my colorful and sturdy bags.

After moving to Durango, I learned the recycling system and felt that I was doing my bit, but with all journeys, there was more ahead. One day I was getting coffee at Common Grounds and had to ask for a lid. The manager, Corrie McCarthy, explained her commitment to reduce plastic. Having customers ask, she feels, is making a difference. Her dedication got me thinking, what more can I do? Refrigerator dishes have replaced zip lock bags, my husband gets his Gatorade from a mix, and mesh bags hold my produce. My journey is only that, my journey. It is a hope that everyone can begin a journey, beyond plastic.

– Madeline Marquardt, Durango

To the editor,

I have known Marsha Porter Norman since the first week I moved to Durango 21 years ago. Following her commitment to community and to me as a neighbor is the reason I would fully support her in her bid for La Plata County commissioner in 2020. She knows and respects a variety of people. She is genuine in her listening and appreciation of many points of view about solving issues. I admire how she can bring collaboration to a disparate group around a problem. If you don’t know her, you couldn’t do better than go to one of her upcoming listening sessions and ask her your questions.

Vote for Marsha in 2020.

– Pat Senecal, Durango

Dear City Councilors,

I recently read the article in the Telegraph entitled “A Bridge Too Far?” I appreciated the reporting on a subject of interest to so many of us in town, especially cyclists who use the roads and trails a lot.

Parks and Rec claim safety as the guiding principle for wanting to construct a separate, $3-4 million pedestrian bridge immediately south of the current bridge and its two sidewalks. They cite a young girl who died cycling on 32nd Street decades ago. But at that time, 32nd was only two lanes wide, with no sidewalks – much like 32nd still is today, east of the city limits.

That city and county section of road now offers more than a half mile of no shoulders, no sidewalks, no lights, not even painted bike lanes. This road is far more heavily used than ever, as it is en-route to the popular cycling route of East Animas, as well as to the many new affordable housing apartments at the corner of 32nd and CR 250.

This leads me to wonder, which is more dangerous? Having cyclists and pedestrians fear every car on that  very narrow strip of road north of Holly, or spending our funds on the current 32nd Street bridge’s sidewalks, which safely separates cars from non-motorists with actual concrete walls?

We have limited dollars, councilors. Please use them wisely.

– Catherine Boyle, Durango