Opinion Columns - The Durango Herald

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Lehigh County’s ethical investment, a model for local governments nationwide

When public officials steward our tax dollars, they must uphold both financial responsibility and the values of the community they serve. Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, took that obligation se...

DATE: May 28, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

The president should know that censoring and whitewashing history never works

In March, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” To my knowledge no historians were consulted on this sweeping attempt to r...

DATE: May 25, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Animas Valley Land Use Plan wrongs residents, denies protections afforded the rest of the county

To develop a commercial property in La Plata County, a Land Use permit is required to obtain a building permit. The La Plata Land Use Code defines all land uses other than residential as req...

DATE: May 25, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Greed will become our downfall and harm the most vulnerable among us

As a young man, I often wondered at the fact that so many people idolized the wealthy. I still do. I grew up at a time when many of my family and friends worked for large corporations such a...

DATE: May 25, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

House GOP reconciliation bill sacrifices Western resources, values and way of life

Healthy wildlife habitat, clean air and water, strong rural economies, and fiscal responsibility by our government. Who can argue about these things? Not me, and not most Americans. In fact,...

DATE: May 23, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

For waste and inefficiency, you really can’t beat corn ethanol

Corn ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, has been burned in gasoline engines and human stomachs since before Henry Ford was born. It’s hard on both, so until 35 years ago it never caught o...

DATE: May 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

120 days, 733 bills later, it’s good to be home and an honor to serve

The first regular session of the 75th Colorado General Assembly concluded on May 7 after our constitutionally limited 120 days. We actually completed our legislative work several hours befor...

DATE: May 18, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

EMS week recognizes the dedicated spirit of providers, mental health and funding challenges

Dialing 911 in a medical emergency is not something people expect to do, but when they do, they have expectations from a system largely unknown to them. People want and expect high quality, ...

DATE: May 18, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Democrats are invoking the ‘Rule of Law’ selectively and hypocritically

The continuous outrage against Donald Trump is fascinating to watch. A friend of mine who is a nationally prominent psychologist (and a liberal) told me that we’re watching true mass-hysteri...

DATE: May 18, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

One should – and here is how to – sip single malt Scotch

The Scots are a practical and direct people. They spell whisky without an “e.” The “e” takes up ink and space and is quite simply unnecessary. I was the designated driver for my friends all ...

DATE: May 16, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Charter schools in Durango provide valuable choices for students and families

When I moved to Southwest Colorado five years ago, I had some concerns about charter schools. I had accepted an AmeriCorps position to serve at Pagosa Peak Open School, a K-eight charter sch...

DATE: May 14, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Roses, rollators and the right words at the right time

I’d noticed an elderly couple seated across from me during our group meeting. The man had an open manner about himself, a very cool “what you see is what you get” vibe. He was dressed Durang...

DATE: May 11, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion