Helping us move forward together

To the editor,

On a hot summer night 28 years ago, I met an amazing woman at a conference on homeless and runaway youth in Arizona. We shared our passions in working with youth, especially those who were oppressed and marginalized. That woman was Marsha Porter Norton, and I also learned that, while she was living in Denver, she was originally from SW Colorado and planned to return to her roots to work in the community.

Since that first meeting, Marsha and I have been neighbors, friends and colleagues sharing our commitment to social justice, community development, rural policy and service to others. This is what Marsha is committing to in her campaign for La Plata County commissioner. Marsha understands how formulating, developing and soliciting input, and implementing policy is critical as we move forward as a county facing many challenges. She can bring people together to look at all viewpoints. She understands the rural/urban perspective and how to advocate for local interests. Marsha has a holistic approach to her work caring about the social, economic, psychological, physical and financial health of our community. She will utilize all these aspects in her decision-making as a county commissioner. I will cast my vote for Marsha and hope you do the same.

– Wanda Ellingson, Durango