MacDonald returns



Peter MacDonald, former Navajo tribal chairman, greets well-wishers during his homecoming parade in Tuba City, Ariz., Saturday morning.

Photo by Jerry W. Kelley



Hope MacDonald Lonetree, right, speaks about the release of her father, Peter MacDonald, from federal prison at the homecoming festivities at the Tuba City Chapter House. Seated to her right in the lower part of the photo are her mother, Wanda MacDonald, daughter Hozhodesbah Lonetree, father Peter MacDonald and former MacDonald staff assistant Jimmy Atcitty.

Photo by Jerry W. Kelley

MacDonald's warm welcome
A day of joy, tears

Mary Wicoff
City Editor

TUBA CITY, Ariz. — In Navajo history, Jan. 20 will be a day to remember.

It was the day that Peter MacDonald came home.

"For me, my family and many of you, that day Jan. 20, 2001 will be a day to remember as a day I regained my freedom after eight years," the former tribal chairman told a cheering audience Saturday.

Hundreds of people most of them traditional Navajo turned out Saturday to welcome home MacDonald, who made his first public appearance since his release from federal prison.

Despite his poor health, the 72-year-old leader stood for more than 30 minutes while addressing the crowd at the To' Nanees' Dizi Chapter House, and later shook hands and posed for photos.

A couple hundred people crowded into the small chapter house, while about 300 more milled around outside, listening to speeches from the loudspeaker.

MacDonald looked well and spoke in a strong voice, relating humorous incidents that kept the audience laughing. Most of his remarks were in Navajo, which lost their eloquence when translated into English, one observer said.

"I can't thank you enough for all you've done to get me home, to regain my freedom," MacDonald told his supporters. People's love, prayers, compassion and support gave him strength while serving time at the medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas, he said.

MacDonald did not address the events which led to his imprisonment on charges stemming from a corruption scandal in 1989 and a riot at tribal headquarters in Window Rock, which resulted in two deaths. He has maintained his innocence.

At the homecoming, he urged people to "work side by side, hand in hand, respecting each other's dignity that's what we need."
MacDonald recalled the events of Jan. 20, when he heard on the radio that he was among those whose sentence was commuted by then-President Bill Clinton. He jumped up, excited, and went into an area where other inmates were solemnly drinking
coffee. MacDonald was all smiles, but nobody else had heard the news yet.

Starting to doubt what he had heard, he called his daughter in Albuquerque and talked to a grandson, who said that he was watching the inauguration on TV and seemed to remember hearing something about his grandfather being released.

A half hour later, a prison official told him: "If you can pack in 15 minutes, you'll be out the door in 15 minutes."

The official tried to rustle up some civilian clothing, but could find only jeans that were size 36 waist and 40 inseam, which were too big. He had to find a belt and roll up the cuffs.

Two hours later not 15 minutes a Navajo supporter picked MacDonald up from prison. "What do you want to do first?" the friend asked.

MacDonald answered that he wanted to get a Big Mac, big fries and a real Coke.

MacDonald, who uses a cane, said that he threw back his wheelchair and walker at the prison officials. He has been undergoing tests for hip replacement surgery and also has had bypass heart surgery.

"Not many people know what is behind the prison wall," he told the rapt audience. "Even three-four months is not enough to know. You have to spend one, two, or three years to really know what's behind that wall.

"I was fortunate to come back alive. I won't even wish my enemy to be behind that wall."

MacDonald said that he received numerous letters from young people asking for advice on cultural issues, letters from people inviting him to dinner when he's free, and visits from many people, including Navajo President Kelsey Begaye and Vice President Dr. Taylor McKenzie. Both Begaye and McKenzie were seated at front with MacDonald during the homecoming.

MacDonald also had a big bear hug for Vern Lee of Farmington, who was active in pushing for the former chairman's release.
When Lee took the microphone, he said, "Welcome home, Chairman Peter MacDonald. Where have you been? We've been looking for you.

"It's really good to see you home, to see you with your wife, your children, your friends."

A family waits

Hope MacDonald Lonetree of Flagstaff, a daughter, gave a tearful account of how difficult those few weeks were leading up to the release. The family had heard that MacDonald was on Clinton's pardon/commute list, but they didn't know exactly where he stood.

In the early hours of Jan. 20, Lonetree began waiting for word and had all the TV and radio stations on.

"It was a life or death situation," she said, beginning to cry. "We felt we'd have to start all over again if it didn't happen."

About 8:30 a.m., the phone rang. A cousin from Washington, D.C., was on the phone. She was screaming and said, "Hope, have you heard the news? Your dad is on the list."

About that time, CNN also announced the names on the list and later, Lonetree received the official call from Washington.

"I can't tell you how emotional that moment was for all of us. I couldn't believe it was real," she said.

"That Saturday will never leave our minds. That feeling, that emotion will never be forgotten by us."

The years of imprisonment, the effort to free her father, and the wait for word on his release were difficult emotionally, spiritually and physically, she said. "It was difficult for my mom to be without my dad and for us to be without our father."

Lonetree read a list of people who were instrumental in her father's release, starting with Clinton for his "act of mercy." She thanked the Tribal Council for pardoning MacDonald in 1995 and the efforts of councilmen, past tribal presidents, and other supporters. In addition, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah lawmakers played a role.

"Thank you for sticking with us all these years," she said. "We want to continue to unite our Navajo Council on other issues. If we can accomplish this on a national level, think what we could do."

Other Navajos continue to be imprisoned in connection with the 1989 disturbance, including Vern Lee's brother. "We will continue to work on the others' behalf to bring them home, as well," she said.

A festive spirit

Tuba City residents still celebrating the state victories of their girls' and boys' basketball teams were delighted that MacDonald appeared at his homecoming. MacDonald, a native of Teec Nos Pos, and his wife Wanda have a home in Tuba City.

Their daughter Faith also was present.

The homecoming started with a caravan of trucks and cars along a two-mile route to the chapter house.

In the parade, MacDonald rode in the bed of a pickup truck along with his wife and granddaughter, Hozhodesbah Lonetree.
People reached up to shake his hand as the truck slowly made its way down the street. One woman handed Wanda a bouquet of red roses and others snapped photographs.

Members of the Vietnam Veterans Group led the parade, carrying flags.

One bystander said that MacDonald should have been in a horse-drawn wagon, instead of a truck.

Another called out, "Who's that good-looking guy in the back?" MacDonald smiled big and pointed at the woman.

The chapter house was decorated with blue and red streamers, and signs such as "Welcome home, Pete. We love you."

Why is MacDonald still so popular? People often mentioned his charisma, eloquence, and connection with the traditional people all of which were evident during the celebration.

Gibson Jones, president of the Vietnam Veterans Group, noted that MacDonald had served four terms in the 1970s and '80s and he had started many programs for the people, including a local community development program. He also was outspoken and had influence nationally, Jones said.

James Bilagody, master of ceremonies and Tuba City delegate to the Tribal Council, described MacDonald as a good planner and speaker. As a leader, he tried to make things happen that would make people happy.

Some people mentioned that they wanted to put the negative news behind them.

Mary Ann Navajo, who started the push in Kayenta to get MacDonald pardoned, also mentioned the others who were implicated in the disturbance. She took out a newspaper clipping about Bud Brown, an unindicted co-conspirator in the Big Boquillas Ranch fraud, pleading guilty to charges.

"It just hurts," she said. "There are a lot of uneducated people who are concerned and say 'why can't we put a stop to these remarks?'"

Louise Yellowman, a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, was so overcome with happiness that she summed up the day simply: "The feeling of joy ... and the tears ... the harmony."

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Man killed by train in city

Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A Sheep Springs man was hit by a train and killed Friday afternoon as he and another man tried to cross the railroad tracks at Third Street and Highway 66.

Lee Roanhorse, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance personnel.

The other victim, Douglas Roanhorse, 30, also of Sheep Springs, was taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center in serious condition.

A follow-up on the victim found that he had sustained a broken pelvis and would require about a four-day hospital stay to recover, police said.

The conductor told police that the train had been traveling westbound at about 30 mph with all the crossing guards working, as well as all the train's horns and bells.

When he saw the two men coming close to the crossing, the conductor said he started blowing the horn several times to get their attention, a police report said.

Just prior to the collision, he said one of the men was on the train tracks while the other man was trying to get him away from the crossing, a police report said.

Both men then were hit by the left front of the train, the conductor told police. When police arrived, an employee of the Gallup Fire Department who had been at the same intersection was attending to the two male victims.

He told police he was stopped at the traffic light when he saw two males near the Third Street crossing and at the same time heard the sound of a horn from a locomotive.

The two individuals appeared to be struggling over "an unknown matter" when the train made impact and hit one man, throwing him in the traveling direction of the train headed westbound, police said.The other man was thrown off to the side in the direction of Highway 66, south of the tracks.

Another witness told police the two men looked as if they were fighting about something just prior to being struck by the train.

Police said it is unknown at this time if the two men were fighting or were intoxicated at the time of the accident.

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Bank, Grants settle lawsuit

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — The city has received $350,000 in an out-of-court settlement from Wells Fargo Bank in a case which dates back 20 years.

With the $90,000 Grants got from Cibola County for back taxes paid by Corrections Corporation of America for the women's prison, city coffers have received an extra $440,000 in unbudgeted and unexpected funds in the last two months.

Grants filed suit against the bank and several other litigants, such as the bonding company, in 1996.

The case began in 1981 when Grants sold several hundred thousand dollars' worth of bonds to pay for street repairs. First Bank of Grants became the paying agent for the city under the 1981 bond series in a deal covered by city Ordinance No. 314.

In case the city came into an unexpected windfall of cash, the bond series contained an early redemption clause, which allowed Grants an early payoff starting in November 1986. In 1983, because of lower interest rates, Grants sold a series of bonds in 1983 which were intended to be used to pay off the 1981 bonds.

The bank, meanwhile, underwent several changes. First Bank of Grants was caught in a consolidation move and became Norwest Bank of New Mexico, which was later bought out by Wells Fargo Bank.

The city last year won $75,000 from the other litigants in other out-of-court settlements, but it still left Wells Fargo fighting the city until the settlement.

After years of back-and-forth negotiations and settlement attempts between the city and the bank, trial began on Dec. 12, 2000, when negotiations broke down completely.

Grants officials claimed the city suffered $495,000 in damages because of the bank's alleged inaction. The city also claimed lost interest money it would have earned if the city had the $495,000. It brought the total amount sought to $1.6 million from Wells Fargo Bank.

The city claimed the bank mishandled 1983 bonds the city sold to pay for an early redemption of the 1981 bonds. The settlement states: "For a variety of reasons the intended early redemption of the 1981 Bond Series was not accomplished, the Bank ran out of funds to pay the remaining 1981 Bonds and interest coupons in 1992."

The guaranty company AMBAC had to step in and pay off the bonds. When Grants failed to pay back AMBAC, the company filed suit in federal court and won a settlement which caused city officials to raise the taxes to pay for the settlement.

In testimony Dec. 12, banking officials claimed there was a total lack of communication from the city about what to do with the money from the 1983 bond series, despite repeated attempts to contact city officials.

Days into the trial something happened. The settlement agreement states: "In the course of the trial the City and the Bank, with the assistance of the Court, engaged in settlement discussions and reached a mutually agreeable resolution of the City's claims against the bank, subject only to formal approval of the terms by the duly elected City Council for the City. The Bank and the City also desire to improve their relationship to their mutual benefit in the future."

The council met in January and approved the settlement.

According to the settlement Wells Fargo also had some condition. The settlement sates: "Payment of this amount by the Bank does not constitute and shall not be construed as an admission of any wrongdoing by the Bank in connection with the 1981 Bond Series. The payment by the Bank is made for settlement purposes and in the interest of improving its future relationship
with the City."

The settlement was acknowledged by Grants Mayor Bill Snodgrass on Dec. 21 and by Wells Fargo Bank President Kevin LeCavalier on Jan. 11.

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Kirtland making case to be included among the elite
Girls N.M. State Tournament

Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer

LAS CRUCES — Kirtland can now say they are the best team in San Juan County, and the state too.

The Lady Broncos defeated Farmington 66-55 Saturday night in the girls New Mexico Class AAAA State Championship to pick up their 14th state championship which ties a national standard.

"This is the greatest thing I could ever have wished for," said Kirtland head coach Dan Scroggins. "Now that we are one of only two teams in the nation with 14 state championships, we want to get recognized nationally."

Going into the game, Scroggins said he thought the Lady Broncos (26-3) had a slight advantage over the Lady Scorpions (23-5).

"We know each others' styles. I thought we matched up better with their team than they did with us," he said. "I think we have a deeper bench and were able to utilize it in the game."

The Lady Broncos got 12 points from their bench while Farmington's only managed three points.

Kirtland was able to hold on to a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter and slowed the game down, forcing Farmington to foul. In the fourth quarter the Lady Broncos hit 6-of-12 from the free throw line, 5-of-6 in the final minute to ensure the win.
Kirtland's Jamie Tanner scored 12 of her game high 21 points in the second half.

Early in the game the two teams were locked in power struggle, exchanging three lead changes and two ties in the first four minutes. With 3:07 left in the first quarter Samantha Roberts hit a jumper to give Farmington an 11-10 lead. That would be the last time they would lead as Kirtland went on a 9-2 run the rest of the quarter.

Cary Moone scored four of her seven points during the run. After the first quarter Kirtland had the Lady Scorpions right where they wanted them, playing catch up.

"It is easier to play when they are chasing us," said Scroggins.

Kirtland scored the first four points of the second and pushed their lead to 10. Jamar Bynum broke ended the run by hitting, making the score 23-15.

Kirtland went scoreless for four minutes in the second quarter, and Farmington pulled within four, 25-21. The two teams scored eight in the final minute, but as time expired in the half Nadia Begay was fouled shooting a three and got three free throws. Begay hit two of the shots to give the Lady Broncos a 33-27 lead at the half.

Kirtland got their lead back up to 10 in the third period on baskets from Shantel Begay, Tanner and Tiffany Charley. After the two teams exchanged baskets twice, Tanner got a jump shot and gave the Broncos a 43-31 lead, their biggest of the game.

With a 10-point lead at 47-37, Begay hit a three. Each team hit a free throw in the final minute and Kirtland went into the fourth quarter with a 13-point advantage.

Kirtland was led by Jamie Tanner with 21 points. Nadia Begay also added 11.

Farmington was led by Megan Ratliff with 16. Samantha Roberts added 13 and Shantel Adams had 10. Ratliff also grabbed 11 rebounds for the Lady Scorpions.

The two teams were matched statistically, Farmington grabbing 33 rebounds and Kirtland getting 32. Farmington hit 4-of-11 from three point range and Kirtland made 5-of-9. Farmington made 19-of-29 from the line and Kirtland hit 15-of-31.

"We had a few chances to catch them late," said Farmington coach Brad Dalton, "but when we missed our free throws late and they made theirs it made us not as confident. It is almost like a turnover."

The win gave Kirtland its fourth straight win over Farmington. Going into the season the Broncos had lost six straight to the Lady Scorpions, and lost two earlier in the season.

Navajo Prep loses finale
Girls New Mexico State Tournament

Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer

LAS CRUCES — Jennifer Roberts and Elizabeth Richards were too much for the Navajo Prep Lady Eagles as the duo led the Texico Lady Wolverines to a 78-53 win in the girls New Mexico Class AA State Championship in Las Cruces Saturday.

The pair combined for 53 points Roberts scoring 27 points, 21 on three-pointers and Richards 26 as Texico handled the Lady Eagles as easily as they did all the other teams they met in the tournament.

Navajo Prep coach Robert Adams said that Texico had some great players that were hard to play against.

"They have good outside shooting," he said. "Texico comes out ready to kill you. They have a tenacious defense that rattled us a few times."

"I think it was a tremendous victory," said Texico head coach Roy King. "We have a super bunch of ladies."

The two teams started even, and the Eagles (22-7) trailed only 12-8 midway through the opening period. Texico (27-1) quickly changed things by going on a 12 point run, giving them a 24-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The 10 points at the end of the first quarter was the most scored against Texico in the first quarter in the state tournament. The Wolverines first two opponents Hope and Tularosa had only combined for 11 points. Hope had scored eight and Tularosa only managed three.

Navajo Prep outscored Texaco 13-12 in the third quarter, but still trailed 55-39. The Lady Eagles went on a 9-0 run early in the quarter with Alicia Becenti scoring four and Delano Yazzie and Genice Morris each adding two. Vanessa Francis hit 1-of-2 from the line for the other point.

The Lady Eagles went on another 6-0 run early in the fourth and scored the last five points in the game, but it would not make a difference as Texico was too far ahead.

The Lady Eagles were also unable to capitalize on the Wolverines foul troubles.

Texico's Richards fouled out with 1:24 left in the game and sat out most of the fourth quarter with two other players who had four fouls. Navajo Prep did not pick up a foul in the second half until Francis was called for blocking with 7:49 left in the game.
King said he thinks the rest of his team stepped up when the three players were in foul trouble.

"I thought it showed a lot of character. When we got in foul trouble they kept their composure."

Adams said that the team could not take advantage of Texico's mistakes and missed several free throws that were big. "We had had the chance to make free throws to stay in the game but we didn't make them."

Besides Roberts and Richards, Kara Jenkins scored 11 and Callie Rucker added 10.

Navajo Prep was led by Genice Morris with 17 and Delano Yazzie with 15. Yazzie also grabbed eight rebounds, something the Lady Eagles lacked in the game. Navajo Prep was outrebounded 56-29 in the game, and was doubled up on the defensive boards 33-15.

Navajo Prep had fewer turnovers than Texico, 17 to the Wolverines 28, but the Lady Eagles shot only 11-of-27 from the free throw line.

Texaco hit 8-of-17 from three-point range, seven coming from Roberts.

The loss was the second straight to Texico, both in the state championship. Texico's only loss on the season was to Sudan, Texas in a tournament.

Adams said that several of his girls have been battling with the flu, but he was not making excuses.

"Texico has a very good program," he said. "I think we gave them one of their most competitive games of the year."

Adams said that he was happy he had a chance to coach the girls this year and is looking forward to next season. "We have eight girls back next year."

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Gloria Lopez

Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer

GALLUP — City Council candidate Gloria N. Lopez has campaigned on the promise of being there for people in the city who feel that no one in the government listens to their concerns.

Lopez, who is running for the District 1 seat now held by Rose Marie "Shorty" Sandoval, said that not only will she listen but she also pledges to do her best to address these concerns, no matter how big or how small they are.

She wants to see higher pay for city workers and promised to look at the problems of the workers at the Waste Water Treatment Center.

"We need to focus on the future of Gallup," she said. "We also need to (stop focusing) on the negaive and try and bring out the positive..."

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William Nechero

Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer

GALLUP — City Council candidate William "Bill" Nechero thinks his connections with area congressional leaders will help the city resolve local water issues.

Nechero, who is running for the District 1 city council seat, said he has maintained a relationship with Sen. Pete Dominici for more than 40 years and is on a first-name basis with the rest of the congressional delegation.

These relationships, he said, were developed after years of his and his father's work in politics. His father, James Nechero, served the chairman of the McKinley County Commission and was a Gallup city councilor in the 1950s and 1960s.

For the past 30 years, the younger Nechero has served the community as president of the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, American Cancer Society-Gallup Chapter and several other local organizations...

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Deaths|

Jamie Vega Quezado

GALLUP — Services for Jamie Quezado, 48, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, at Saint Francis Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m., tonight at Cope Memorial Chapel.

Quezado died March 1 in Gallup. He was born March 13, 1952 in Ignacio, Zaragoza, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Quezado was employed as a construction worker and was a member of the Saint Francis Church.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Gonzales; sons, Jose Luis of Gallup, Sergio Quezado and Jack Nastacio; daughters, Racheal Gonzales, Romalda Garcia, Falene Wright and Yvonne Quezado of Mexico; parent, Dae Carmello Quezado of Mexico; brother, Moses Quezado of Mexico; sisters, Natalia Quezado of Montrose, Colo., Theresa Blasa Quezado, Ciprana Quezado
and Cita Quezado all of Mexico and 18 grandchildren.

Quezado was preceded in death by Feliciano Quezado.

Pallbearers will be Jose Luis, Fabian Garcia, Rito Prieto, Jose Prieto Sr. Jose Prieto Jr. and Moses Quezado.

The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at K.C. Hall.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.