Chinle center to become juvenile jail
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation's Public Safety Committee has
agreed reluctantly to go along with the idea of opening the new $9.5
million Central Navajo Youth Corrections Center for short-term detention
of juveniles.
Individually, however, members of the committee joined others who
would like to see the facility, now under construction in Chinle,
be used for long-term rehabilitation.
The committee's vote, however, allows the facility to be opened as
a short-term center until approval is given by federal authorities
to use it for long-term rehabilitation.
This leaves the 48-bed high-walled building on Navajo Route 7 as a
standard short-term juvenile hall.
But it's being constructed to what the U.S. Bureau of Prisons terms
the medium-security standards needed for the long-term treatment of
Navajo youth.
The facility is being built on the site of a former Bureau of Indian
Affairs boarding school in the western shadows of Canyon De Chelly.
Almost four years ago, Cora Phillips of the Chinle center wrote to
the BIA's Facilities Management Construction Center in Albuquerque
to request the change to a long-term rehabilitation program, claiming
it would be more effective than what is now termed "warehousing"
juvenile prisoners. But the CNYCC office never heard from the BIA,
leaving the impression the change was OK.
Thus the center's advisory board worked for more than four years on
the basis the BIA already had gone along with the change from a detention
center to a corrections center.
But an Oct. 26 letter to the tribe from Ted Quasula, director of the
BIA's Office of Law Enforcement Services, threw cold water on that
idea, creating a crisis since the Chinle center is almost ready to
open.
Advocates believe they need a budget of $2.3 million
a year and a staff of 70 people. Quasula's letter states the current
year's budget of $670,000 provides 42 staff members. He also wrote
the building was not constructed for the more intensive use, but advocates
including the Bureau of Prisons say otherwise.
Skip Curley of the tribal Office of Contracts and Grants told the
committee changing the grant may involve asking Congress to approve
the change. The strongest support on the committee for the change
came from Chairman Edward Jim, Harry Williams and Ernest Nez Sr.,
who were willing to take the chance of losing funding for future detention
centers in Crownpoint, Shiprock and Kayenta while the paperwork for
the shift of focus was done.
Committee Members Edison Wauneka, Harry Willeto and Harry Clark didn't
want to take that chance, but each said they support the advocates'
concept. Member Freddie Howard was not there.
Supporters of the long-term approach designed a program that includes
schooling, traditional Navajo counseling, the use of the Navajo peacemaking
process, family therapy and follow-ups. The program also includes
strong mental health clinical treatment to change the youngsters'
behavior so they may return to their communities as productive and
not destructive citizens.
The Navajo Department of Corrections currently has two short-term
detention centers, located in Tohatchi and Tuba City.
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17-year-old savors success
Zarana Sanghani
Staff Writer
VANDERWAGEN — Justin Winfield has pursued in his 17 years two
things: a challenge and self-employment.
Listening to the Gallup High School senior talk about selling seasons,
consignment arrangements and the difficulty of organizing employees
reveals that he has attained much of both pursuits.
Selling fireworks out of his trailer is his forte, for now. He also
occasionally sells calves and shaved ice, investing his own money
and effort.
"What I love most is the challenge (and) the gratifying feeling
you get when you sleep late on (July 4), knowing you had a successful
season," he said. "(I like) when nobody is above you telling
you how to run things, and you're in control of your own fate."
Selling at 5
At 5 years old, while his parents worked, he sold candy,
an idea formed out of his own youthful sense of entrepreneurship.
Winfield jokingly explains, "I was in a state of slave labor,
working for them (his parents) for 25 cents a day. The chore money
was just not enough. I had to make a little extra."
At age 12 in 1994, he established Bubba's Fireworks, named after his
nickname. With his mother's name on the license, Winfield sold fireworks
out of a 18-foot by 16-foot wooden stand he built.
"I used to spend quite a bit of money on fireworks myself,"
he said. "My mom would say, 'Why don't you just get into the
business!' The next summer lo and behold.
"I sold enough that year (to pay) for all the fireworks and light
off the leftovers without any cost to me."
In 1997, the third year of business, Winfield bought a trailer. Now,
in early 2000he talks of further expansion. After the New Year's sales,
he completed his payments on the trailer, and Winfield may open a
second sales trailer this July 4th season.
Profits pay back parents
Winfield said he uses his profits to pay his parents
for the truck they bought him and to pay for his own personal expenses.
Winfield may get his propensity for capitalism from his parents, who
own Winfield Trading Co., which deals in Indian jewelry. Or, as Winfield
explains, he may pursue private enterprise because he needs a challenge.
"When other kids get bored, they watch TV not me, that'd get
boring," he said.
Justin Winfield's mother, Michelle, said his fourth grade teacher,
Sandra Bartnick, helped Justin develop habits that led to his business.
"She was really responsible for a lot of the organizational
skill that made him get this together in the first place," Mrs.
Winfield said.
Though he is not a hardened businessman, Justin said
he has learned the ropes. He now files the paperwork for the license
under his name, buys insurance for his business and hires and trains
employees to help sell his merchandise.
"For the first couple of years, mom helped. I wasn't
a businessman of the world. I didn't know how things worked outside
my own little yard here," he said. "But now I handle the
work on my own."
Months in preparation
The fireworks season lasts only for a month in the summer and a few
weeks in the winter, but Justin said he prepares the paper work and
lines up employees, mostly friends and relatives, months in advance.
The short business season allows him to pursue school
activities such as choir and National Honor Society and maintain a
4.0 grade point average in his academics.
He has applied to several colleges including Northern
Arizona University, Stanford and Arizona State University. He said
he is considering a major in business or the possibility of becoming
a Catholic priest.
Jason Winfield, Justin's 20-year-old brother, is at NAU on a music
scholarship. When he was 15, he recorded a country/western song in
Nashville. Their father Robert Winfield said he never pushed his sons
toward any particular career, but always encouraged their activities.
"I feel other experiences in life contribute a lot more to your
education," Robert Winfield said. "I told (Justin) to just
find something that he enjoys and does well and that's where he'll
be successful."
Other interests
Justin Winfield's curiosity and accomplishments go beyond commerce.
He created an aviation formula when he was 14 that allowed pilots
to double check computer calculations that compute the angle at which
pilots must turn to change from one to another direction. For the
formula, he received a U.S. Air Force gold medal.
He also enjoys racing stock cars. When he was 12, he built a sand
buggy. That was the same year he began planning for his fireworks
business, a year he describes as the age when he "stepped out
of the childhood mode."
Michelle Winfield said, "It's been a great experience with them
(Jason and Justin). Everyday is new for them. They wake up and say,
'Let's try this today!' and we just try to support them."
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Man sentenced for child sexual abuse
Staff report
GALLUP — A Gallup man has been sentenced to more than 15 years
in federal prison after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual abuse
of a minor.
Roel Lee Lahi, 27, was given a sentence of 15 years and eight months,
as well as five years supervised probation by U.S. District Court
Judge John Conway.
Conway also ordered Lahi to comply with all sex-offender
registration requirements and avoid being in the company of children
under the age of 18.
At his plea hearing last October, Lahi admitted to engaging
in sexual acts on Zuni Pueblo with two children, both under 12 years
of age. The incidents occurred between July 1, 1994, and January 31,
1998.
Officials for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque
said an FBI investigation began after officials in the pueblo reported
both victims had disclosed the sexual abuse.
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Voters will decide $10 mil school bond
levy
Zarana Sanghani
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Voters will decide whether to continue a two-mill levy
and issue a $10 million bond issue Feb. 8. The money generated will
go toward maintenance and additions for school buildings.
The district's Facilities Master Plan and Preventative Maintenance
Plan, an audit of Gallup-McKinley County schools, found that several
buildings need maintenance work or upgrades for technological improvements
or to meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, said
Angelo DiPaolo, assistant to the superintendent.
The two-mill levy will provide funds for those changes and classroom
furnishings and equipment. From the tax, the district will receive
$1.55 million a year. The state will give the schools $474,000 a year
if the levy continues...
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Area in brief
Childrens' Print
GALLUP — "Children's Prints enlighten our world" will
be held from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 20; March 23; May 11; July 20; Sept. 21;
and Nov. 16. at M.O.R.E., 503 S. Williams in Gallup. Information:
(505) 863-5051.
Navajo Prep applications
FARMINGTON — The Navajo Preparatory School invites students to
apply for the Fall 2000 semester. They are seeking applicants who
have strong academic, extracurricular and cultural skills and who
aspire to succeed in post-secondary education and beyond. Candidates
may sit for the entrance exam on Saturday Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. to 11
a.m. Tours of campus will be available. There is no charge for the
exam. To receive an application packet contact the school at (505)
326-6571 ext. 27.
Rock Point festival
ROCK POINT, Ariz. — The 27th Annual Navajo Song and Dance Festival
will be held Feb. 2 for the primary and secondary division and Feb.
3 for the intermediate division at the Rock Point Community School.
Registration is now open. Information: (520) 659-4224...
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Governor has game plan for legislature
Walter Howerton Jr.
Santa Fe Bureau
SANTA FE — Gov. Gary Johnson wants to legalize drugs. Choose
sides. Gasp in disdain or cheer in approval. OK? Now that we have
that out of the way, let's get real.
What does Johnson want from the Legislature when it goes into session
Tuesday?
Last week in Santa Fe, Johnson was meeting the press almost daily
and giving out some hints about what he would like to see from the
lawmakers...
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Miss Navajo rules of conduct revised
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation's Government Services Committee
agrees that anyone holding the Miss Navajo crown should not be stripped
of her title if she goes to a bar or becomes pregnant during her reign.
Visiting a nightclub and other undesirable actions such as possessing
illegal drugs, co-habitating or getting married during her year's
reign also were eliminated from the new plan of operations for her
office approved by the committee this week.
The committee also dropped other rules, including being intoxicated,
breaking Navajo laws or violating tribal personnel policies...
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Special prosecutor will probe corruption
Navajo Nation Inn, Mariano
Lake School under microscope
Bill Donovan
Diné Bureau
GALLUP — For the third time in less than a decade, the Navajo
Nation is planning to appoint a special prosecutor to look into corruption
on the Navajo Reservation.
Tribal officials said three law firms one from Arizona and two from
Santa Fe are now in the running to be appointed by the tribal courts
to look into three areas:
Alleged mismanagement within the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise,
headed by Don Hubbard. It operates the Navajo Nation Inn, a gas station
in Navajo, Ariz., and other businesses. It is now in the process of
purchasing a motel/restaurant complex in the Tuba City area...
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Tom Udall hears area concerns
Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Gallup residents asked U.S. Congressman Tom Udall about
everything from the cost of health care to funding for schools at
a town hall meeting this weekend.
About 28 people, including city officials, veterans
and health care workers, packed city council chambers Friday evening,
posing questions to the congressman and venting frustrations.
Issues ranged from the extent of police and executive powers to abuse
of authority by government agencies and insufficient privacy laws.
But of the audience, local veterans were the most vocal...
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Gallup Catholic 69, Rehoboth 45
GALLUP CATHOLIC (69) DJ Biava 2, Marshall LeMoiris 18, Cartl Georges
10, Mike Estrada 13, Bryan Sparks 16, james Kezele 1, Mike Mason 3,
Pate Cole 2, Brian Morris 4.
REHOBOTH (45)
Andy Yazzie 17, Chris Gill 5, Eric Joe 1, Deirryck Begaye 12, Jordan
Hale 9, Josh Frederickson 1.
Gallup Catholic18, 13, 15, 2369
Rehoboth4, 25, 7, 945
Fouled outHale (Rehoboth). Total fouls Gallup Catholic 19, Rehoboth
29. Total free throws Gallup Catholic 21-45 (46%), Rehoboth 11-25
(44%). Total field goals Gallup Catholic 24-51 (47%), Rehoboth 15-59
(25%). Three-point goals Gallup Catholic 0-3 (0%), Rehoboth 4-18 (22%).
Total rebounds Gallup Catholic 42 (Sparks 15), Rehoboth 20 (Begaye
8). Total assists Gallup Catholic 11 (Sparks 4), Rehoboth 5 (Begaye
2). Total steals Gallup Catholic 13 (LeMoiris 6), Rehoboth 18 (Yazzie,
Hale 6). Turnovers Gallup Catholic 5, Rehoboth 7.
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