Keep Durango healthy by voting YES on 1-A!

Matt Gerhardt
datauri-file As many of you probably know, the City of Durango currently has two dedicated sales and use tax funding sources for parks and recreation purposes: (1) 1999 Tax for the Community Recreation Center and Animas River Trail; and (2) 2005 Tax for open space preservation and stewardship and the development and maintenance of parks and trails. This dedicated funding makes life better in Durango by creating healthy lifestyles; preserving and conserving environmental resources; fostering economic vitality; and building community and enhancing quality of life. The 1999 Tax will sunset in 2019. The proposal is to re-authorize this tax through 2039, applying the revenue to a broad spectrum of recreational and multi-modal projects, including capital development, maintenance and improvements of parks and recreation assets. The list of capital projects identified for future funding options for the reauthorized 1999 Tax includes Recreational Facility Improvements and specifically identifies funding to support the Durango Animas River Corridor Management Plan. The Plan identifies river access improvements (Oxbow to Dallabetta Park), funding for bank stabilization, as well as funding for In-stream stabilization. As our river enthusiasts have come to enjoy and appreciate our in town recreational whitewater opportunities, we urge you to help us educate and inform your community of this opportunity to support ballot 1-A and further develop these types of recreational facility improvements in our area. Please know that the campaign to Keep Durango Healthy by extending the 1999 ½ cent sales tax on April 7th is off to a good start. Durango City Council voted to approve the ballot language 5-0. We are now working hard to educate our community and garner support for passage. First and foremost, we are asking you to Vote Yes on 1-A. Ballots will be mailed in a few weeks and your vote will enable Durango to continue to Expand, Protect, Improve, and Create our recreation facilities, trees, river access and habitat, parks, playing fields, and playgrounds that support our outstanding quality of life in Durango. In addition, there are several ways you can support the campaign – and we need your help! • Write a letter to the editor, as an individual or as an organization – You can use the information found at durangogov.org/halfcent for a personal letter to the Durango Herald and Durango Telegraph. Herald letters should be kept to 350 words and can be submitted to the Durango Herald at this link; and no more than 750 words to the Durango Telegraph by emailing: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com. • Endorse the campaign – Please let me know if you or an organization you represent would like to endorse the campaign and be listed on the Keep Durango Healthy Facebook page. • Donate to the campaign – We are doing this on the cheap, but still need some funding to get the word out about this issue. Any amount is very welcome! We need funds to pay for mailers, yard signs, and flyers. Please send checks payable to Citizens to Keep Durango Healthy or donate via PayPal at https://www.facebook.com/keepdurangohealthy. • Display a yard sign – Send me your address and phone number and I will arrange a delivery. • Forward this email to your members, friends, neighbors and family who live in the City of Durango. For more information, visit facebook.com/keepdurangohealthy, the City of Durango website: durangogov.org/halfcent, email specific questions to KeepDurangoHealthy@gmail.com Thank you for your help and be sure to Vote Yes on 1-A on April 7th!
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