Hospitals ready for disaster
Employees trained for waste spill
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — The day that a lot of people in New Mexico have been
dreading for almost a decade is now less than seven months away and
medical officials are getting prepared for it.
That's the day doomsayers think will forever change the way Gallupians
feel about traffic on Interstate 40: a day when the report of any
accident in the area involving a truck will bring a tinge of fear
and thoughts of everything from atomic bombs to the Cold War.
Yes, it's the day that trucks finally start rolling on the interstate
carrying contaminated materials to be deposited at the Waste Isolation
Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad.
In preparation for that day, medical crews at Rehoboth McKinley Christian
Hospital and Gallup Indian Medical Center have been undergoing training
for a worst case scenario. On Thursday, local doctors and nurses who
had undergone training went through their first drill to see just
how prepared they really were.
"They did very well," said Tim Yackey, a WIPP medical preparedness
coordinator for the Injury Prevention and Emergency Medical Services
Bureau for the New Mexico Department of Health.
For the previous two days, medical staff in the Gallup area had undergone
intensive training of how to cope with a possible contamination spill
and what to do with victims.
The first time local health officials went through the drill they
were ragged, Yackey said, "but that's normal." By the second
time, however, everyone seemed to have learned his or her role and
did it quickly and efficiently.
The drill which consisted of medical staff in contamination suits
washing off the bodies of victims (in actuality, mannequins) took
place in the parking lot outside the emergency room at RMCH.
The drill took place in the parking lot because in the event of an
actual contamination, that's where the first line of treatment would
take place, said Donna Corley, director of critical care service at
RMCH.
"You don't want to contaminate the building, so you deal with
the contamination outside first," Corley said.
WIPP officials are now conducting these training sessions in all of
the cities and communities along the transportation route and they
have stressed that every precaution possible is being taken to make
sure that there are no accidents and the feeling is that the likelihood
of such an incident is very, very small.
The good thing about all of the training, Corley said, is that medical
staff here will also get training on what to do in case of other emergencies
that are more likely to happen, just as a chemical spill or accidents
along the railroad or at the nearby coal fields.
"We want to make sure that we can take care of
those who are involved (in the accident) without hurting other people
in the community," Corley said.
While this training session concluded Thursday, others in the area
are to undergo the training in the next few months as well, so more
drills will be held over the next few months.
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Council lays heavy hand on division
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation Council passed three amendments
Thursday making evident its desire to micro-manage the Human Services
Division, its budget and personnel.
Much-maligned Human Services Director DuWaine Boone said as much before
tribal delegates headed off for lunch recess.
"It's obvious," Boone said. "Some of them even admitted
that's all they're doing."
When the council session resumed, two of the resolutions were canceled
by the delegates who made the original motions bringing them to the
floor. They had to be recalled by vote first.
One canceled amendment would have made the Navajo Department of Workforce
Development director report directly to the Human Services Committee,
chaired by Jerry Bodie (Sanostee Chapter).
Another canceled amendment, with the original motion by Omer Begay
Jr. (Greasewood Springs), proposed to eliminate the position of Navajo
Workforce Development Director Rosalyn Curtis. It would have used
$51,288 in salary and benefits to create an employment officer and
secretary's position in a Phoenix suboffice.
A third amendment brought to the floor by Delegate Young Jeff Tom
(Mariano Lake, Smith Lake chapters) survived. It will provide $50,000
to each of the tribe's five agencies. The money will provide public
assistance for veterans services. The funds will come from the tribe's
already depleted undesignated reserve.
After hearing Delegate Carol Bitsoi (Naschitti Chapter) read a prepared
statement critical of Boone before the lunch recess, Delegate Thomas
Cody (Leupp Chapter) said enough was enough.
"Let's go to the budget," Cody said. "We're not here
for personnel issues."
Cody later said it was not the council's duty to micro-manage employee
positions within the Human Services Division.
But Bitsoi said such action has been forced on the council as the
result of Boone's inability to work with Bodie's Human Services Committee.
In her written statement, Bitsoi said the committee "has encountered
serious problems in working with the division director," as well
as Curtis, the Workforce Development director.
"I believe that the Department of Workforce Development would
be provided better leadership, and operate much more efficiently and
smoothly, if the position of department director was eliminated ...,"
Bitsoi said.
Shiprock Delegate Wallace Charley said eliminating a tribal government
job on the reservation, where unemployment is extremely high, and
creating two off-reservation jobs in lieu of that is inherently wrong.
Bodie disagreed.
"Every day, people lose jobs all over the world," Bodie
said, adding that Window Rock is a little too "top heavy."
Navajo President Kelsey Begaye stood up for Boone, his much-maligned
division manager who has been under fire for months from the Human
Services Committee. At one point, the council had asked Boone to eliminate
his own position from the Human Services budget.
A Window Rock court ruled in Boone's favor in September, keeping his
position intact.
Begaye called Boone "one of the top division directors on our
(administrative) team."
"And we utilize him quite a bit," the president said.
Despite multiple amendments and recalls, the council managed to pass
a Division of Human Resources general fund expenditure of $3.59 million.
Coupled with proprietary and fiduciary appropriations mainly used
for retirement funds the division's budget is $10.87 million.
The tribe's 2001 fiscal year began Oct. 1.
The council passed eight "conditions of appropriation,"
giving delegates oversight on some issues such as a re-emphasis on
Veterans Affairs personnel requirements and claims processing.
At one juncture, the Human Resources Committee had recommended deleting
the division's administrative office tribal vehicle and reducing travel
funds.
The Office of Management and Budget warned against such a draconian
move. "The capacity to travel for the DHR administration will
be compromised perhaps to the point of negatively impacting division
management," Management and Budget program analyst Arnold Jake
said in an Oct. 16 memorandum.
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Pueblos lead school bond to victory
Tara Drolma
Staff Writer
GRANTS — The Grants/Cibola County School district bond election
on Tuesday passed thanks to the hard work of the Laguna and Acoma
pueblo communities.
Despite the fact only about 13 percent of the funds will be spent
for the new Laguna-Acoma High School, analysis of the final election
results shows there was a 27 percent voter turnout in District 1 (Rita
Suazo's district), with 92 percent of the votes in favor of the bond.
At the Acoma precinct 117 people voted, all of them for the bond.
Suazo said it was an all-out effort by the community. "When we
start communicating we can get a lot done. It was Christmas Tuesday
night," she said.
Suazo said the community rallied to make the vote a success. The Tribal
Council donated $25,000 for posters and fliers. Twenty colorful posters
were distributed throughout the district and the Pueblo of Acoma used
its marquee at the Sky City Casino to urge people to vote.
The Laguna Department of Education paid for a mass mailing and seven
vans were available to take voters to the polling places.
Children from the Boys and Girls Club went door-to-door Monday night
distributing fliers. Anthony Silva, director for the club,
took some of the children as far as Ramah and Bluewater Village to
distribute the posters.
In contrast, 14 percent of the voters in the precincts within the
Grants city limits voted, with 54 percent voting against the bond.
The majority of the funds from the bond, $3.3 million, will be used
to begin the process for a new Grants High School.
Cubero residents defeated the bond by a narrow margin, even though
Cubero Elementary School is in dire need of repair and the bond will
provide $250, 000 for repairs. The election failed 17-12 in Cubero.
San Rafael passed the bond by a very narrow margin of 47 votes for
and 45 against. The bond resolution has allocated $500,000 for repair
of the damaged wall and other problems at San Rafael Elementary.
Milan voters also defeated the bond; 46 percent voted for the bond
and 56 percent of the 118 voters voted against it.
There are 10 precincts in the part of the district known as the east
side. Overall there was a 22 percent voter turnout and 93 percent
of the voters voted for the bond.
For the purposes of analysis, communities outside of the Grants/Milan
area were grouped. This group includes the communities of Ramah, Fence
Lake, and Bluewater Acres where many of the children attend schools
in other districts. San Rafael, Murray Acres, and San Mateo are also
included. Ramah voters passed the bond 45-6. Overall, there was nine
percent turnout with 54 percent of voters voting against the bond.
The votes by board members' districts are:
District 1, Rita Suazo: 26.5 percent turnout, 92 percent for.
District 2, Johnny Valdez: 12.5 percent turnout, 58 percent against.
District 3, Terry Fletcher: 16.6 percent turnout, 51 percent against.
District 4, Bob Murdoch: 15.5 percent turnout, 54 percent against.
District 5, Lloyd Felipe: 9 percent turnout, 92 percent for.
Absentee ballots: 100 ballots, 55 percent against.
The low voter turnout in District 5 is because of the
low turnouts in Fence Lake and Ramah; however, the Acoma precinct
had a 16 percent turnout.
Results from the county clerk's office show voter turnout for the
entire district was 14 percent of all eligible voters. The percentages
used in this analysis are approximate.
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Bengal boys notch second win
Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer
GRANTS — The Gallup Bengal boys basketball team picked up their
second win of the season in a low scoring 51-39 decision over the
Grants Pirates Thursday night.
The Bengals, which improved to 2-3 for the season, jumped out to an
early 6-2 lead then traded leads with the Pirates before an 11-2 to
close the third quarter put them ahead for good.
Gallup coach Earl Diddle said that he thought the team he had played
as well as they could. "This was a big game for us, playing without
three of our big players," he said. "I thought we were really
physically depleted."
The Bengals were without EJ Patterson, Tredell Dawes or Nathan Nakai.
Patterson missed because of an operation on a broken cheekbone, Dawes
was in the hospital sick and Nakai had to get X-rays earlier in the
day because he may have a stress fracture.
Drew Money and Matthew Warren keyed the Bengals quick start in the
first quarter. Money hit for the third six points, then Matthew Warren
hit back-to-back three-pointers to put the Bengals up 12-6.
Grants, (2-2) kept the game close in the second, using five players
to score, but none scored more than once. Grants hit two three-pointers
in the quarter but could not take the lead.
Grants coach Gerald Horacek said that he thought his kids played hard,
there were just a few kids who did not come to the game ready to play.
"We need a total team effort if we are going to be successful,"
he said.
Horacek added that he thought the team gave a good effort, that the
shots just did not fall. The Pirates shot 16-of-44 on the night.
The Pirates led only twice in the game, the first when they were ahead
2-0 at the beginning of the game and at 27-25 when they started the
second half off with an 8-2 run.
The Bengals would finish the quarter with an 11-2 run to pull back
ahead, 36-29 going into the final quarter.
The Bengal rally was put together with scoring coming from five different
players, Chris Vicente leading the way with four.
Jerome Joe hit a three-pointer with four seconds left
in the quarter for his only points in the game. Money was held scoreless
in the third quarter after scoring 12 in the first half.
In the fourth quarter the Bengals used rebounding and foul shooting
to hold on to the victory. Gallup shot 9-of-12 from the line in the
fourth quarter to pull away at the end.
Drew Money was the only player to score in double figures for either
team, scoring 16. Chris Vicenti and Matthew Warren each had eight.
The Pirates had nine players score in the game, Roshaun McKinney had
seven and Kevin McFarland and Boudy Melonas both had six.
Gallup shot 10-of-15 in the game from the line. The Pirates hit 2-of-6
from the line, all six taken by McKinney.
Grants will travel to Shiprock Saturday, while the Bengals will host
Rio Grande tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
"The competition goes up from here," Diddle
said anticipating a tougher game against Rio Grande. "We will
do some things different when we play Rio Grande Saturday. They have
Eddie Abrieu and two 6'6" players that will be eligible to play
against us."
Besides the height difference, Diddle feels the Bengals will have
to take care of the ball.
"We can't turn the ball over as much as we do," he said.
"Our goal is to stay under ten a game."
Gallup turned the ball over 18 times against the Pirates.
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Jury indicts driver for two deaths
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
GRANTS — As if Elroy Sandoval didn't have enough problems already
knowing he drove the car that killed two friends after drinking at
a party Aug. 6, his problems just got bigger.
A Cibola County grand jury indicted the 20-year-old Sandoval on two
charges of homicide by a vehicle (DWI) and one count of great bodily
injury by a vehicle (DWI); all are third-degree felonies.
Cibola County Undersheriff Johnny Valdez said Sandoval and his friends,
Kyle Irwin, Fernando Rodarte and Andrew Kiefer were at an event that
spread over the Mount Taylor area on Aug. 6.
Area residents go on an annual horse ride from San Mateo and over
the mountain into Seboyeta, where the ride ends...
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Old School Gallery offers gifts, a place
to socialize
Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Special to the Independent
RAMAH — Since its founding three years ago, the Old School Gallery
has become a social hub for many rural residents living around the
communities of Ramah, Pine Hill and Zuni. And for Christmas shoppers
looking for unique gifts, the gallery offers a diverse mix of artwork
and handcrafted items.
Nestled on the side of Highway 53 that loops through the Zuni Mountains
south of Gallup and Grants, the Old School Gallery has art from its
current exhibit, "Falling," on display through early February.
The theme of "Falling," like all the shows displayed in
the gallery, is open to broad interpretation by member artists. The
show ranges from Lisa de St. Croix's paintings of fall trees to the
mixed media pieces of Derek Szteliga that explore the idea of rising
and falling power.
The show includes fine art paintings, prints, photographs, wall hangings,
sculptures and sterling silver jewelry. It also features handcrafted
items such as pottery, fanciful walking sticks, drums, bells, free
form wooden tables, painted stones and a water fountain...
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Potato plan in hot water
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
WINDOW ROCK — NAPI's plans for a $150 million potato processing
plant venture were set aside Thursday by the Navajo Nation Council.
The project may be fried without an affirmation today by tribal
delegates.
On a motion by Delegate Willie Greyeyes, the council tabled by a
45-21 count a proposed resolution by Alfred Yazzie. It would take
away a $10 million investment the tribe has set aside for the NAPI
project and use it for capital improvements.
Earlier this week, Navajo EPA official Calvert Curley said that
a mid-November investigation has shown that a herbicide called Stinger
was misapplied by a Navajo Agricultural Products Industry vendor.
An 18-month interval is required between the time Stinger is applied
and the time potatoes are planted...
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Youvella returns to Hopi board
Stan Bindell
Special to the Independent
POLACCA, Ariz — Wallace Youvella Sr., vice president of the Hopi
Junior/Senior High School governing board, has been re-elected as
the representative from Polacca.
Youvella beat out challenger Clark Tenakhongva, 66-24.
Youvella, who also serves on the tribal council, said he is proud
of the strides that the school has taken during the past four years
to help the students with their education.
Youvella, who has served on the school board since 1991, said he never
knows what to expect in any election. He is glad, however, to be back
on the board so he can continue to work on projects that will benefit
the students...
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Hopi falls to 5A power; Pinon defeats Alchesay
Stan Bindell
Special to the Independent
WINSLOW, Ariz. — Hopi came out on the losing side of the David
and Goliath matchup between the 2A school and undefeated 5A Corona
del Sol in the first round of the Winslow girls basketball tournament
Thursday.
Corona del Sol, ranked number one in the state in 5A by the Arizona
Republic, is arguably the tallest and most talented team in the
state. Their starting five average 5-foot-10 inches and includes
two 6-foot-2 inch players. Hopi has one 5' 8" inch player and
averages at 5'5"
Corona remained undefeated in 11 games by whipping Hopi, 76-33.
Bre Presley led Corona with 24 points. Alexis Timpone neeted 20
and 12 assists and Nikki Revling added a dozen points...
Deaths
Joe E. Nez
MEXICAN SPRINGS — Services for Joe Nez, 51, will be held at 10
a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Cope Memorial Chapel. Pastor Fran Curley
will officiate. Burial will follow at Lone Pine Cemetery.
Nez died Nov. 28 in Phoenix. He was born Dec. 29, 1948, in Fort Defiance,
Ariz.
Survivors include his mother, Elta Nez Williams of Mexican Springs,
and brother, Henry Williams of Mexican Springs.
Pallbearers will be family members.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Johnson Martinez
SHEEP SPRINGS — Services for Johnson Martinez, 90, will be held
at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Sheep Springs
Pentecostal Church. Pastor Tommy Yazzie and Alfred Watchman will officiate.
Burial will follow in Sheep Springs Cemetery.
Martinez died Dec. 11 in Gallup. He was born June 24, 1910, in Newcomb
into the Folded Arm People for the Water Edge Clan.
Martinez was employed with the railroad, Fort Wingate Army Depot and
El Paso Gas Company. He was a member of the CAC for Sheep Springs
Chapter. His hobbies included bronc busting, horseback riding and
he tanned buckskins for the community.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Johnson of Sheep Springs; sons,
Wilbur Johnson, Robert Johnson, Jasper Johnson and Wilson Price Sr.,
all of Sheep Springs; daughters, Clara Billie of Fort Defiance, Ariz.,
and Rose Eldridge of Sheep Springs;
brother, Hugh Johnson of Toadlena; and sister, Helen
Joe of Sheep Springs.
Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Shorty and Nellie Johnson;
three sons; three daughters; and two grandsons.
Pallbearers will be Larry Liston, Derrick Johnson, Jones Yazzie, Melvin
Masquat III, Brian Johnson and Randolph Price.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Kee Dennison
CALIFORNIA — Services for Kee Dennison, 68, will be held at 10
a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the St. Isabel Catholic Mission in Lukachukai,
Ariz. Father Caron will officiate. Burial will follow at the community
cemetery in Lukachukai.
Dennison died Nov. 23 in Palo Alto, Calif. He was born Aug. 29 in
Round Rock, Ariz., into the Waters Edge People for the Big Water People
Clan.
Dennison attended Fort Wingate and Albuquerque Indian School. He served
in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, from 1951-1957, and received
the Purple Heart. He resided in California.
Survivors include his brothers, Joe Dennison of Albuquerque and Johnson
Dennison and Tom Dennison, both of Round Rock, Ariz.; and sisters,
Mary Joe and Annie Dennison, both of Round Rock, and Nora Yazzie of
Gallup.
Pallbearers will be Tom Dennison, William Yazzie, Curt Shaw, Stuert
Yazzie, Paul Shaw, Henderson Joe and Darryl
Talaymptewa.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Alice Etsitty Steah
CHINLE, Ariz. — Services for Alice Etsitty Steah, 72, will be
held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in
Chinle. Burial will follow at the community cemetery in Chinle.
Steah died Dec. 13 in Chinle. She was born July 22, 1927, in Chinle
into the Red Bottom People Clan for the Edge of the Water People Clan.
Steah was a housewife and sheepherder. Her hobby was rugweaving.
Survivors include her husband, Kee Steah; sons, Nelson Steah, Johnson
Steah and Benjamin Steah; daughters, Ella Mae Taylor, Zonnie Mae Slivers,
Leah Steah, Lorina Antonio, LaBerne Steah and Evelyn Mae Steah; 29
grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Steah was preceded in death by a son.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan Steah, Alonzio Steah, Nelson Steah, Albert
Taylor, Zane Antonio and Alfonzo Hardy.
The family will receive friends and family after the burial services
at the Steah home in Chinle.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Wilma Woods Dan
FRUITLAND — Services for Wilma Woods Dan, 81, were held at 10
a.m. today, Dec. 15. The Rev. Jack Fowler officiated. Burial followed
at Shiprock Cemetery.
Dan died Dec. 12 in Albuquerque. She was born June 19, 1919, in Red
Rock Valley, Ariz.
Survivors include her son, Leonard Dan of Gallup; daughter, Phyllis
Thomas of Fruitland; brother, John Woods of Shiprock;
sister, Mary Mildred Begay of Shiprock; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren
and one great-great grandchild.
Dan was preceded in death by her parents, Chil Chee Badonie and Chil
Chee Bitsi.
Charles Kezele
GALLUP — Services for Charles Kezele, 85, will be announced at
a later date.
Kezele died Dec. 13 in Albuquerque. He was born March 25, 1915, in
Heaton.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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