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Debates and forums

Groups sponsoring events to help voters make better-informed decisions

Durango and La Plata County are fortunate in having a number of organizations that take democracy seriously. These are folks who recognize that politics is not a dirty word, and elections are not spectator sports. We appreciate their involvement – most particularly in their sponsorship of a series of debates and forums to let local voters get to know local candidates for public office. It is a valuable service.

The La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association led off last night with a gathering at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. (See coverage of that event on Page 1A.)

The Durango Fraternal Order of Police will host the two candidates for sheriff, incumbent Duke Schirard and his opponent Sean Smith, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, also at the Fairgrounds Extension Building. While open to the public, this is primarily an event for law-enforcement personnel and will focus on law-enforcement issues.

Schirard and Smith will then face questions from the Durango Gun Club from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031 at 1550 Main Ave. Debate will be limited to gun issues, including questions about the club’s gun range, which it shares with law enforcement. Members of the public may submit questions in writing.

The one morning event will be the sponsored by the Durango Chamber of commerce and the La Plata Forum at 8 a.m. on Oct. 7 at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event will feature the two sheriff candidates as well as the two candidates for La Plata County treasurer, Allison Morrissey and Bobby Lieb.

Not only is the timing of this different from the others, but it is the only one charging admission – $16 for chamber members, $20 for nonmembers. That does, however, include food. Attendees can choose from a regular breakfast, a vegetarian breakfast or a gluten-free option. The chamber requests that those wishing to attend do RSVP. The chamber can be reached at 247-0312 or chamber@durangobusiness.org.

The last and largest candidate forum will be hosted by the League of Women Voters from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 in the Durango City Council Chambers. Present will be all the candidates in local contested races – county commissioner, coroner, sheriff and treasurer. In addition, County Clerk & Recorder Tiffany Lee Parker and Assessor Craig Larson, both of whom are unopposed, will be given a brief time to speak. (Surveyor Larry Connolly will be out of town.)

And, as one might expect, the League does these things right. As the Herald reported Sunday, it has specific rules to keep the questioning on point and clean. Personal attacks are not allowed, nor are statements posing as questions or questions aimed only at one candidate. The League’s forum will be a place for civil discourse, not the kind of rhetoric and accusations typically found in televised ads. And for reminding all concerned that is possible, the League of Women Voters deserves an extra portion of thanks.

In fact, all the groups sponsoring this series of event deserve the communities’ thanks and support. These kinds of grass-roots efforts that separate honest local democracy from the circus we all see in the national news.

Now, the voters can do their part by attending these forums and listen closely.



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