Columnists - The Journal

Wall Street Journal names Purgatory Resort a ‘world class’ ski area that is affordable

Ski village lauded for its pretense-free culture hearkening back to an earlier era

DATE: Jan 23, 2023 | CATEGORY: Talk about Town

Cut costs: No bills larger than $20; keep only quarters

There are two monetary proposals (not original to me) that could save the federal government millions of dollars. One sounds good but is a matter of which I have no firsthand knowledge. The ...

DATE: Jan 16, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

On MLK Day: Heroes do not act alone

Every year, the arrival of the Martin Luther King holiday calls us to pause and reflect on King’s legacy. And every year, I’m struck by the same thing: As sincere as we are in our reverenc...

DATE: Jan 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Support wildlife, oppose solar facility with no local benefit

La Plata County review has halted the proposed Hesperus Solar until California-based Primergy corrects numerous application deficiencies for the 155-megawatt, industrial-scale solar facility...

DATE: Jan 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Need BLM to prioritize wildlife habitat, migration corridors

In Southwest Colorado, we are fortunate to be located near many Bureau of Land Management lands, where residents and visitors recreate, camp, view wildlife, hunt and fish. Thanks to the remo...

DATE: Jan 11, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Seeking mental health care a strength, not weakness

For most of us, going to the doctor is a regular part of life. We get annual checkups and do our best to follow the doctor’s recommendations. If an issue is found, we see a specialist: For h...

DATE: Jan 11, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Pickleballers, the unhoused both face NIMBYism

We have two prominent examples of NIMBYism in Durango. I have pondered the similarities between pickleball and the plight of the homeless here in our town. They both share a similar reaction...

DATE: Jan 6, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Have you seen the stars? Artemis, future, hope

Artemis 1 splashed down off the coast of Baja California on Dec. 11 after a 42-day mission described as a resounding success. That triggered a raft of emotions left over from the various ver...

DATE: Jan 5, 2023 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

‘Pelé’s magic doesn’t fit in a trophy room’

The simplest way to capture the achievements of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Brazil’s unparalleled Pelé, is to tally the numbers. In two decades, he scored 1,283 goals (although the exact nu...

DATE: Jan 3, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Former bookseller Joyce Meskis a ‘First Amendment hero’

The passing of Joyce Meskis, former owner of the Tattered Cover Book Store, on Dec. 22, provides the opportunity to celebrate her numerous and substantial accomplishments in improving the li...

DATE: Jan 2, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Need integrated health care focused on brain disorders

As a result of my two guest columns in The Durango Herald and The Journal about my experiences with Alzheimer’s, I’ve received a multitude of pats on the back, hugs and messages of support f...

DATE: Dec 30, 2022 | CATEGORY: Opinion

New bills address math scores, lead, water literacy and more

As I head into my final two years as your House District 59 representative, I eagerly anticipate the work ahead. Colorado law permits every legislator to present five bills in a committee ea...

DATE: Dec 28, 2022 | CATEGORY: Opinion