15 Aug 2014
Top ten entrepreneurial enemies of prospective marijuana stores in Durango
1. Strater Hotel–Rod Barker, owner of the Strater Hotel, led a petition drive opposing Rocky Mountain High’s application for a change of location to the southern block of Main Avenue. The petition was submitted to the Local Licensing Authority on March 20, 2012.
2. Rio Grande Trading Company–Jon Schuetz, owner of Rio Grande Trading Company, spoke at the Local Licensing Authority meeting on March 20, 2012 against Rocky Mountain High’s application for a change of location to the southern block of Main Avenue.
3. Fuzzywig’s Candy Factory–Kayo Folsom, owner of Fuzzywig’s Candy Factory, spoke against Rocky Mountain High’s application for a change of location to the southern block of Main Avenue at the March 20, 2012 Local Licensing Authority meeting.
4. Francisco’s Restaurant–Skip Garcia, owner of Francisco’s Restaurant, voiced concerns to the Local Licensing Authority on March 20, 2012 about the future marketability of businesses downtown that might be impacted by Rocky Mountain High’s proposed change of location to the southern most block of Main Avenue.
5. Durango Reproductive Medicine–Dr. Joseph Gambone, a physician at Durango Reproductive, signed on as a petition circulator with the committee to repeal Durango’s retail marijuana ordinance number 0-2014-26. The group he was with withdrew their referendums after the city council changed the wording of the ordinance to ensure retail pot shops would be excluded from all mixed-use neighborhoods in Durango.
6. Nicholas Frank Anesi–Nick Anesi is a licensed attorney in Colorado that signed on as a petition circulator with the committee to repeal Durango’s retail marijuana ordinance number 0-2014-26. The group he was with withdrew their referendums after the city council changed the wording of the ordinance to ensure retail pot shops would be excluded from all mixed-use neighborhoods in Durango.
Attorney Nick Anesi asked city council to oppose retail marijuana stores in mixed-use neighborhoods. Photo captured from City Span 10 footage.
7. Black Duck Software–Andrew Aitken, Managing Director of Black Duck Software, signed on as a petition circulator with the committee to repeal Durango’s retail marijuana ordinance number 0-2014-26. The group he was with withdrew their referendums after the city council changed the wording of the ordinance to ensure retail pot shops would be excluded from all mixed-use neighborhoods in Durango.
8. Thomas Darnell Investments–Thomas FB Darnell II, owner of Thomas Darnell Investments, signed on as a petition circulator with the committee to repeal Durango’s retail marijuana ordinance number 0-2014-26. Darnell told the Third Avenue Boulevard Association in July of 2014 that smoking marijuana is more harmful than tobacco. The group he was with withdrew their referendums after the city council changed the wording of the ordinance to ensure retail pot shops would be excluded from all mixed-use neighborhoods in Durango.
9. McAlvany Wealth Management— David McAlvany, the President/CEO of McAlvany Wealth Management, wrote a public comment letter of opposition to the City of Durango regarding Acceptus Group’s application to establish a retail marijuana shop in downtown Durango.
10. Ted’s Rental and Sales–Theodore Hermesman, owner of Ted’s Rental and Sales, told the Durango Herald in an April 7, 2014 story that he strongly opposes retail pot shops downtown, both as a businessman and a family man.
