Federal officials open to Hopis' water concerns
Stan Bindell
Special to the Independent
KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. — Hopis may be closer to having federal
officials find another water source for slurrying coal out of
state from Peabody Coal Mine.
Vernon Masayesva, executive director of the Black Mesa Trust,
met with federal officials last month who were surprised by the
amount of water that may be lost from the N-aquifer because of
the mine operation. The federal officials told Masayesva that
they would look into it and get back to him within 30 days.
Masayesva, a former Hopi chairman, met with officials from the
Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Reclamation, BIA Water Rights
Office and U.S. Geological Survey.
"They had their ears open. It was a different environment
than a couple years ago," he said. "They may respond
in a positive manner. There are many new people in place and it
seems like it might change."
Masayesva said the federal officials want an Environmental Impact
Study performed on the area because it has not been done since
the early 1990s.
Masayesva and other Black Mesa Trust officials met with the Hopi
Water Rights Team on April 6. They were expecting a small gathering,
but instead they were speaking to a packed house who wanted to
hear about the water situation.
"They all left saying that water rights is the priority,"
he said.
Masayesva wants the Bureau of Reclamation to look at the impact
of water projects on the Hopi and Navajo reservations. He noted
that the Hopi tribe has consistently opposed the EIS conclusions
from the early '90s. He would like to see a comprehensive hydrologic
impact assessment performed as part of an updated EIS.
Masayesva said he doesn't want the mine closed down, but another
water source found for transporting the coal from the mine to
Nevada.
The Black Mesa Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to
saving Hopi groundwater.
Masayesva emphasized that Hopi groundwater is already at a dangerously
low point. He noted that the lease between the Hopi Tribe and
Peabody states that the interior secretary can force Peabody to
find an alternative water source for the Black Mesa Mine if the
Hopi groundwater is endangered.
He wants the N-aquifer, which is where the Hopi groundwater comes
from, to stop by 2004. The N-aquifer lies beneath Black Mesa on
the Navajo and Hopi reservations. Coal from Black Mesa is used
to power the Mojave Generating Station in Nevada. The coal is
transported to Nevada by mixing it with water, creating a slurry
that sends it through the pipes in liquid form.
Masayesva said the federal government has not evaluated the impact
on the Hopi groundwater for eight years and that Peabody studies
are hardly unbiased. He said that neither the Hopi nor the Navajo
tribes have studied the impact of the pumping on the groundwater.
A Natural Resources Defense Council report supports Masayesva's
contentions. The recent report states that the water levels in
the N-aquifer have decreased and some localized contamination
of the aquifer may be taking place.
The NRDC wants the groundwater pumping to stop by 2005, that Peabody
should immediately adopt a water use plan, that the Interior Department
should complete a list of alternatives and the Navajo and Hopi
reservations should be assured of a long-term water supply.
The most often mentioned water alternative for the Black Mesa
Mine would be piping it in from Lake Powell at a cost of more
than $68 million.
To contact Black Mesa Trust, telephone (520) 734-9255 or (480)
421-2377.
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Council hears money pleas
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — As the discussions over the next year's city budget
wind down, city officials still are pondering several grants to outside
agencies, including the Gallup Arts Council.
The council Tuesday finished its budget meetings with the various
city departments, winding up with a proposed operating budget of about
$18,953,000, some $56,000 over the current budget.
Adding in capital improvement funds and the various utilities brings
the total budget up to around $54 million.
But it was the operating budget that has occupied members of the city
council during the past week as they met with all of the department
heads and talked about the needs of the city government.
Although city department directors had submitted a wish list of more
than $6 million over projected revenue figures, almost all of these
requests were denied because of budgetary restraints.
The council did agree, however, to use some $540,000 that was still
available from a $1.8 million loan approved by the New Mexico Financial
Authority to buy vehicles and some heavy equipment, including a $156,000
street sweeper.
Larry Binkley, executive director of administrative services for the
city, said repayment of the loan will be made through that 1/8 of
a cent increase approved in the gross receipts tax by Gallup voters.
On Monday, the council looked at requests from outside agencies, agreeing
to support a $60,000 request from the Council of Governments. This
is a $10,000 increase over the amount approved for last year.
The council also supported $6,000 for transient relief and $3,000
for the Junior Warriors program (down from the $6,000 that was requested).
The council also agreed to provide $18,000 (down from the $28,000
requested) for the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, most of
it going to the parade.
A $10,000 request for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program is still
pending.
Also pending is $15,000 being considered by the council for the Gallup
Area Arts Council (GAAC), down from the $20,000 that was requested.
The GAAC has been given a grant of $15,000 for at least the past three
years, although the GAAC annually requests anywhere from $40,000 to
$50,000.
This year the request met some opposition from Binkley and from several
people who came to the budget hearings to criticize the GAAC for not
following its charter.
In a memo to the council, Binkley questioned the GAAC's budget and
the fact that the organization has failed to provide the city with
an audit of its expenditures for the past year.
GAAC officials agreed to provide the city with an audit by May 15,
the date the council is scheduled to hold its last study session on
the budget.
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Cibola board works on reorganizing
Plan discussed in secret
Tara Drolma
Staff Writer
GRANTS — The Grants/Cibola County School Board is planning to
reorganize the administration and staff, but did not give details
Tuesday night. The board said the reorganization plan would be made
public at the first board meeting in May.
A reorganization chart was discussed during a closed session Monday,
which violates the Open Meetings Act.
The board was scheduled to renew the contracts for certified personnel,
central office administrators, and the assistant principals Tuesday
night, but chose to suspend board policy and table action. Kalino
Marquez's and John Bryant's contracts were renewed so that they could
work with school Superintendent Linda Coy to develop a plan for the
reorganization.
The only insight into the reorganization came at the end of the meeting
when board chairman Rita Suazo and Lloyd Felipe mentioned it in their
closing comments.
Felipe thanked parents for attending and said they are probably wondering
what will happen now with the reorganization. He told them he thought
the board had done a good thing, but "the fruit is still in the
works." He said the reorganization took a lot of effort from
the board and it was not an easy task.
Felipe said the district is seeking to increase communication and
in time the administration will provide more information as the process
moves forward.
In her remarks Suazo said the district is trying a new concept of
team administration and it will take a lot of effort on the part of
Coy and the other two assistants to develop. She said the district
is working on a pyramid with Coy, Bryant, and Marquez at the top.
After the meeting Suazo said the board has a draft chart and based
on that, Coy, Bryant and Marquez will choose their teams. She said
the teams will be comprised of the administrators and principals.
Monday night the board met behind closed doors at a meeting that was
made up entirely of an executive session to discuss "limited
personnel matters-organization chart."
Open Meetings Act
Bob Johnson, director of the Freedom of Government Organization, said
under the Open Meetings Act, the only reason a board can meet in executive
session is to discuss individual personnel matters. He said that means
it can not talk about the whole staff, or all of the coaches, or all
central office personnel.
The Open Meetings Act, or Sunshine Law, says: "... all persons
are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs
of government and the official acts of those officers and employees
who represent them."
There are 10 exceptions to the requirement that all meetings formulating
public policy be held in public. One exception is the discussion of
limited personnel matters. The act defines limited personnel matters
as "... the discussion of hiring, promotion, demotion, dismissal,
assignment or resignation of or the investigation or consideration
of complaints or charges against any individual public employee..."
In the comments portion of the Open Meetings Act Compliance Guide
the attorney general clarifies the policy: "A public policymaking
body may not retreat into executive session to discuss personnel policies,
procedures, budget items, and other issues not concerning the qualifications
or performance of specific individuals."
Reorganization, by definition, does not involve discussion of individual
employees; rather it is the process of defining the organizational
structure. Part of the task is defining key positions and the way
those positions will interact with one another to carry out the organization's
goals and objectives.
Policy is defined as wise management and reorganization is a tool
of management. In developing a new organizational chart the board
has redefined the management of the school district and by definition
has "formulated public policy."
The penalty for violating the act is a misdemeanor punishable by a
fine of not more than $500. The attorney general has said the Open
Meetings Act will supersede any local policy or procedure and a violation
of the act will void the action taken.
A copy of the Open Meetings Act Compliance Guide published by the
New Mexico State Attorney General's Office is available on request
from the State Attorney General's Office or from the web site at www.ago.state.nm.us.
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Lady Bengals out of district race with
loss
Abelita Rose Freeland
Staff Sports Writer
GALLUP — The Gallup Lady Bengals, being short of offensive power,
are counting themselves out of the district race after their latest
loss.
The Bengals had half as many hits as Cibola which contributed to their
5-2 loss against the visiting Cougars in a 1AAAAA District game at
the Gallup Sports Complex on Tuesday afternoon.
"We battled tough with them," Gallup coach Marty Alderete
said. "Their (Cibola) coach said he has nothing but respect for
my girls and our program is heading in the right direction."
"We just weren't hitting the ball and they had a very good pitcher.
We gave them a couple of runs and they showed what they are made of,"
Alderete added.
The Bengals played even with Cibola through the first three innings.
Cibola ended a scoreless tie in the top of the third, but Gallup responded
with two runs of its own to match the Cougars.
Anna Sanchez scored the game's first run when Bengal catcher Matsutani
missed the tag at home on Briawna Schultz' fielder's choice hit to
shortstop Christensen. Christensen had hesitated before throwing the
ball home.
Abeyta scored on an RBI hit by Shauna Snyder to give the Lady Cougars
a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Bengals came back to tie the game at 2-2 in the same inning.
Socorro Herrera drew a lead off walk, Matsutani advanced Herrera with
a single and Alderete loaded the bases with a walk.
A poke over second base by Reeder brought in Herrera and Matsutani
with a single.
But the Bengals left a pair of runners stranded on base after a pair
of strike outs.
Cibola added two more runs in the fourth inning. Martinez was hit
by a pitch and Pam Apodaca reached on a bunt when the Bengals overthrew
the play at first.
A double by Martinez, past center fielder Reeder, put the Cougars
ahead 4-2.
The Bengals threatened in their turn at bat, but Sanchez and Herrera
were both left on base with Olivas and Ara Green both striking out
looking and Matsutani flying out to the pitcher.
The Lady Cougars added their last run of the game in the fifth inning.
Shultz started things off with a triple over Reeder in center and
a line drive single by Snyder to third brought in Shultz.
The Lady Bengals didn't threaten again.
"We just didn't hit the ball, but we didn't quit either and I
am happy. I would be a lot happier if we would have won the game,
but I can't ask anymore from my girls. They are working hard and they
have a lot of heart," Alderete said.
"Our goal was to have a winning season and we are one game away
from that overall. I knew our district was tough and we just wanted
to end with a winning season," Alderete concluded.
Cougar Abeyta picked up her second win against the Lady Bengals with
nine strikeouts, three walks, two runs and four hits. Cibola committed
no errors.
"She (Abeyta) changes speeds very well and moves the ball around
and she is their bread and butter," Alderete said. "But
Tiara came out and did a very well for us."
Sanchez (1-2) registered the pitching loss with four strikeouts, no
walks, eight hits and two hit batters.
The Lady Bengals (2-5 in district) will play West Mesa on Friday in
Albuquerque.
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Grants can't make plays in loss
Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer
GRANTS — Grants' inability to make the plays proved costly as
the Pirates fell to Bernalillo 14-1 in six innings in a District 3AAA
baseball game Tuesday afternoon.
"We didn't make the plays," said a disappointed Grants head
coach Walter Sarracino. "That changes the outcome of the game.
You have to make the last out. Bernalillo made the plays. You have
to suck it up and plays some baseball as a team.
The players have to play and I have to coach. We have to overcome
the mistakes and make the plays."
Grants (4-6 overall, 1-2 in district), will travel to Hot Springs
Saturday for a district doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Bernalillo
(4-10 overall, 2-4 in district) will host Cobre Saturday and Hot Springs
Tuesday. The Spartans will then pick up the postponed district game
with Grants next Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Bernalillo. Bernalillo was
leading 4-3 in the bottom of the second inning with two outs and with
the Pirates with runners on first and third...
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Group seeks vote on IHS takeover
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — The committee seeking a referendum on the proposed
tribal takeover of the area's Indian Health Service operation plans
to have the Navajo Nation Council consider the matter Thursday.
The Dineh Bi' Healthcare Referendum Committee said it has resolutions
from about two-thirds of the chapters and that many of the local resolutions
direct that chapter's council delegate to vote to put the referendum
on the ballot.
Plans call for a tribally chartered corporation to operate the largest-remaining
IHS organization under a $443.1 million Public Law 93-638 contract
now being negotiated at Navajo Area IHS headquarters in St. Michaels
(not at the IHS national office in Rockville, Md., as incorrectly
reported in a recent issue of the newspaper)...
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Native American Day may get boost
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — It seems that Gallup trader Ellis Tanner will get
his $10,000 from the city government after all.
Council delegates appeared to support Tanner's request for aid in
putting on this year's Native American Appreciation Day during a
work session held Tuesday.
The actual vote will come next Tuesday but no one, including Mayor
John Pena, seemed to have any problem with the city providing $10,000
in cash and $15,000 in services.
Technically, the city is not providing Tanner, who is the main sponsor
of the event, with any actual cash...
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City looks at options for golf course
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — The Gallup City Council may soon be looking at building
a new golf course.
The council, during a work session on Tuesday, agreed to go along
with a suggestion by Mayor John Pena to seek some soil studies to
determine if there is any other place in the area better suited
to be the site of the city golf course.
This decision came after council delegates heard a presentation
from members of the recently created golf advisory committee, which
has been looking at problems at the current city golf course.
Local attorney Jay Mason told the council that the committee has
heard presentations in recent months from Bernd Leinauer, a grass
extension specialist for New Mexico State University, and Apollonita
Ortiz, a golf course constructor...
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NTUA wants rate hike
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — Customers of a tribal utility that grossed $67.5
million this past year almost one-fifth more than the previous year
can expect to pay more for electric, water and natural gas service,
the Navajo Nation Council learned Tuesday.
But no one could predict how much more.
The council spent its entire day hearing an exhaustive report by
the Navajo Tribal Utilities Authority, but most of the day was behind
closed doors. No other business was voted on, leaving the tribal
legislature three days to consider 28 resolutions.
Before recessing the second day of its week-long spring session,
the council voted 59-0 to accept the report, including directives
by Government Services Committee Chairman Ervin Keeswood...
Shiprock board saves free-meal plan
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
NEWCOMB — Citing the importance of seeing all students eat
two balanced meals each school day, the Central Consolidated School
District Board of Education made all the right moves Tuesday night
to save the "universal meals" program.
The school board, meeting at Newcomb Middle School, voted 4-0 to
extend the program at least one more year. Considered were five
options, ranging from cancelation of "universal meals"
to making it available only in the reservation schools, where the
percentage of students who qualify for free- and reduced-price meals
is large enough to subsidize the program.
The program is less successful at the five Kirtland schools only
because the percentage of students who qualify for free- and reduced-price
is much lower. However, the number of students now eating has soared
throughout the district, considered to be a positive development...
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Deaths
Alonzo Bernard Lee
CROSS CANYON, Ariz. — Graveside services for Alonzo "Sonny"
Lee, 35, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at the Curtis
family plot, Cross Canyon. Al Spencer will officiate.
Lee died April 13 in Dennehotso, Ariz.. He was born March 31, 1966,
in Ganado, Ariz., into the WaterEdge People Clan for the Start of
the Red Streak People Clan.
Lee attended Monument Valley High School in Kayenta, Ariz., and Crownpoint
Institute of Technology, where he served as student body president.
He was a member of AISES. He received various athletic awards.
He was employed as a customer service representative at Wal-Mart and
Bealls and was a self-employed carpenter. His hobbies included basketball,
football, and country and western dancing.
Survivors include his wife, Victoria Curley; sons, Curttiss Benally,
Brandon Lee, Dallas Lee and Dallason Lee; mother, Alice Marie Nez;
brother, Erwin T. Nez; sister, Alfreda L. Stanley; and grandparents,
Kee and Elsie Curtis.
Lee was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Lee.
Pallbearers will be Wilmer C. Curley, Curttiss Benally, Kendel Laving,
Eugene C. Curley, Erwin J. Nez, Sam Largo Jr.,
Hoskie Largo Jr., Edward Curtiss, Dallas Lee, Brandon Lee and Dallason
Lee.
The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services
at Elsie Curtis residence.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth Todakonzie Sr.
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — Services for Kennth Ervin Todakonzie Sr.,
63, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at the Assembly of
God, Fort Defiance. Donald Fishgrab will officiate.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. today at Cope Memorial Chapel.
Todakonzie died April 13 in Fort Defiance. He was born Nov. 8, 1937,
in Fort Defiance into the Red Running into the Water People Clan for
the Leaf Clan.
Todakonzie attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan., in 1957.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1963. He was employed with
the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and retired after 37 years. He
was also an ordained Baptist minister.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Todakonzie; sons, Kenneth Jr.
and Kevin, both of Fort Defiance, Verdean of Douglas, Ariz., and Lance
of Kayenta, Ariz.; mother, Marian Todakonzie of Navajo; brother, Gerald
Todakonzie, Gallup; sisters, Erika Walker, Doris Litson, Lucinda Todakonzie
and Yvonne Begay, all of Navajo; Colleen Hoskie of Gallup, Wanda
Horton of Borger, Texas, Marcella Hudson of Farmington, Delores Terry
of Phoenix, and Lillian Miller of Downey, Calif.;
and eight grandchildren.
Todakonzie was preceded in death by his father, Frank Todakonzie;
daughter, Patronella Todakonzie; sister, Gloria Bennett; and son,
Wendell Todakonzie.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Horton, Leo Hoskie, Nino S. Begay, Greg
Todakonzie, Hulet Terry Sr., Lester Hudson and Lee Litson Jr.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Geraldine Aubrey
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — Services for Geraldine Aubrey, 32, will
be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 20, at the Navajo Bible Church, Fort
Defiance. Pastor Dean Baker will officiate. Burial will follow at
Crownpoint Community Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at Tse Bonito
Mortuary.
Aubrey died April 13 in Kayenta, Ariz. She was born Nov. 27, 1968,
in Crownpoint into the Bitter Water People Clanfor the
Red House People Clan.
Aubrey attended Crownpoint Boarding School, Pueblo Pintada and Window
Rock High School. She was employed in housing construction. She was
a coach for Little League baseball team.
Survivors include her sons, Roderico A. Aubrey, Rodney R. Aubrey and
Valentino R. Aubrey, all of Fort Defiance; daughter, Rachelle R. Aubrey
of Fort Defiance; parents, Tommy and Eleanor Montoya of Fort Defiance;
brother, Jason Montoya of Fort Defiance; and sisters, Bernadine Montoya
and Agatha Montoya, both of Fort Defiance.
Aubrey was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe and Helen Shorty.
Pallbearers will be Ernest Manuelito, Robert Goldtooth, Christopher
Bahe, Daniel Shorty, Amos Shorty and Irvin Baptiste.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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