Ready to roll



Preparing for Saturday's Route 66 75th anniversary parade, sisters Olga (left) and Christina Hernandez build and paint a car made of cardboard boxes Tuesday at the neighborhood center. The children will ``ride'' in their cars during Saturday morning's downtown parade.



Paul Revere, of the recording group Paul Revere and the Raiders, signs a photograph and a copy of the ``Ride to the Wall'' CD for Jerry Hoskie of St. Michaels, Ariz., during a stop in Gallup Tuesday afternoon. Revere stopped in Gallup to promote the recording, with all proceeds going to Vietnam veterans.

Photos by Jeff Jones

 

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Recall vote in Dilkon closer

Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A five-member committee seeking to recall five school board members from Dilcon Community School are well are on their way to completing what may become the quickest signature-gathering phase of a recall in Navajo Nation history.

Patricia Nezzie, a food service worker at Dilcon Community School, said Tuesday that 157 signatures have been gathered to recall each of the five school board members. They need 145 certified signatures for each from among the 281 Dilkon community voters who cast ballots in the last school board election.

The recall effort began April 9. It has until Oct. 8 to be completed.

Although they are 12 votes over the amount needed to recall each school board member, Nezzie said the recall committee would like to gather up to a dozen more signatures by the end of the week, "just to be safe."

Seventeen signatures can fit on a petition form if it requires fingerprints and the necessary two witnesses per signature by fingerprinting. Petition forms requiring just handwritten signatures can accept 25.

"Some of the elders can't write," Nezzie said. "They use their fingerprints."

The recall committee consists of Nezzie, Alex Thorne, Jennifer Curtis, and Melvin and Lorraine Riggs.

A recall election can be held within 30 days that the required number of recall signatures are certified.

The five school board members the committee is attempting to oust are: President Margie Barton, Kee Ben Begay, Gerdie
Manygoats, Thelma Barton and Kee Yazzie Nez. There is a separate petition drive seeking the removal of each. In addition, two separate drives are attempting to remove Begay as chapter president and Barton as chapter secretary/treasurer.

Last week, Nezzie said a small Dilkon group, including herself and Dilkon Delegate Jerry Freddie, met with Navajo Nation Council Speaker Edward T. Begay. Nezzie said Begay's advice was not to engage the school board in any type of an action that could set off a confrontation.

However, school board member Kee Ben Begay, who was unavailable for comment, reportedly attempted to convene a community meeting with school board members and the recall committee invited Saturday at the school.

"As a group, it was decided that we wouldn't attend so that we wouldn't provoke (the school board's) attention," Nezzie said.

Nezzie said the separate petition drives to have Begay and Barton removed as chapter officials are "close" on the required signatures.

A total of 161 valid signatures are required for recall of chapter members, she said.

The recall committee hopes to turn its signatures into the Election Administration Office in Window Rock either Friday or Monday.

Nezzie said it is uplifting to see the Dilkon community galvanized over an issue that affects their children. Protecting the educational interests of students at Dilcon Community School is the main reason the recall movement is succeeding, she said.
A few weeks ago, school bus drivers refused to pick up and drop off children, joining a demonstration that began April 16 and included staff members and some teachers. A tribal police report called the demonstration a peaceful event.

Acting school director Roy Roehl, who recall committee members say is not a certified administrator passed out notices to school staff demonstrators, saying they could be terminated within 24 hours if not back on the job.

"That is why we are in the process of recalling them, before they go any further," Nezzie said of the school board. "Enough is enough."

While popular school Executive Director Gene Thomas was placed by the school board on paid administrative leave in November, pending the board's effort to terminate him, popular and long-time Principal Carolyn Pecotte was informed by the board last month that her contract would not be renewed. She has been transferred to the school dormitory.

The acting principal is Milton Franklin, who is a certified teacher but not a certified administrator, Nezzie said.

"We have an interim director and a principal not certified by the state," Thorne said. "We are concerned about who will sign the diplomas for our eighth graders. Will the diplomas be worthless? We believe so."

Nezzie expressed thanks toward the staff who took part in the peaceful demonstration.

"These are the real heroes," she said. "They are the ones who really took a stand and are making a difference."

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Grants woman killed by train

Tara Drolma
Staff Writer

GRANTS — A Grants woman was hit and killed by a westbound train early Tuesday just west of Milan.

Jolene Garcia, 26, was struck by the train as she walked along the railroad's south track shortly after midnight. New Mexico State Police Lt. Tom Dobson said the accident occurred near milepost 28 off State Road 122 just west of Milan.

Dobson said the train's conductor told investigators he saw something on the north track about 1,000 feet in front of the train. He watched as the object moved into the middle of the south track and realized it was a human wearing a gray shirt. The engineer sounded the train's horn and engaged the brakes.

Garcia apparently moved to the edge of the track. Dobson said Garcia was hit by the left corner of the train's engine. He said he did not know why the woman was on the railroad track.

She was pronounced dead at the scene by Robert Hayes of the Office of Medical Investigations.

The death was the second in less than a month involving a pedestrian and a train.

Chris Jack, 47, of Prewitt, was hit by an eastbound train April 10 near Santa Fe and Fourth streets in Grants. In that case, Grants Police Lt. Steve Bell said the train engineer saw Jack lying between the rails of the north track. He said the train crew saw Jack lift up his head as he heard the train, but there was not enough time for it to stop.

Stabbing

State Police Officers were dispatched to the 82 mile marker on Interstate 40 at 11 a.m. Sunday after receiving a call there was a woman walking on the side of the freeway.

Dobson said the 35-year-old Prewitt woman was bleeding from a stab wound in the palm of her right hand. She told officers she and her husband had been at a house in Milan and that he had stabbed her several hours earlier.

The woman was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released. Dobson said police are in the process of getting a warrant for the husband who allegedly will be charged with aggravated battery against a household member. Dobson did not identify the couple.

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Chinle teams lose openers

Carrie Loretto
Sports Editor

The Chinle baseball and softball teams are done for the season. Both teams lost their openers of the 4A Grand Canyon Regional Tournament Tuesday.

The Lady Wildcats travelled to Flagstaff and lost a 3-0 heartbreaker to Coconino, while the baseball team went up against a prepared Page team losing 13-1.

"We played good defense, we were a little shaky in the third inning, but we played with a lot of heart today," Chinle coach Andrea Yazzie said.

A defensive breakdown in the third inning resulted in the game's only runs, Yazzie added.

Pitching just her second varsity game of the season, Valentina Benally struck out five, walked five and scattered four hits in the loss.

Tiffany Valasquez had a pair of singles to lead Chinle's hitting.

With no seniors on the team, Yazzie is looking foward to next season.

"My team is very talented, I'm looking foward to next year," she said.

Baseball — Page 13, Chinle 1

Nelson Claw hit an RBI double to score Frederick Begay in the fourth inning to prevent a shut out, but a lack of pitching hurt the Wildcats in their loss at Page.

"We had two pitchers that decided to go on the senior trip," Chinle coach Roy Dale said. "(Page) came out with their best
pitching, they were ready to play. I figured he'd have them ready because the time before they just barely beat us."

Dale started Cody Burback who lasted two innings giving up six runs on six hits. Paul Jones came in and struck out five
batters but gave up five hits and five walks.

Nelson Hanley's 2-for-3 performance topped Chinle's offensive effort.

Chinle finished 5-16 for the season, 3-6 under Dale who replaced David Dunn last month.

"In the short period of time, they had a lot of positive things happen, they made great improvement," said Dale, who has not decided whether he will coach baseball again next spring, although he seems to be leaning towards doing it again.

"There's talent here, it's just a matter of getting it out there," added Dale who started three freshmen Tuesday.

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Tanner asks county for donations

Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Local Indian trader Ellis Tanner was before the McKinley County Commission Tuesday asking for some county funds for Native American Appreciation Day.

He was also there asking for the county to change its fireworks policy to allow aerial fireworks to be sold in the county this year for the July 4 holiday.

The commission made no decision on either request.

Tanner had no specific dollar figure in mind Tuesday for what he felt would be a good county contribution to the cause, although $2,500 was mentioned a time or two during the meeting...

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Tribe seeks court complex

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Tribal justice officials were delighted to learn Tuesday that New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici plans to try to get $12 million in the upcoming federal budget for a new court complex in the Navajo capital.

In making his announcement, the Republican senator pointed to the fact that for years the Supreme Court of America's largest Indian tribe has operated from a trio of trailers. And its courtroom is jammed into a fourth building.

Judicial Branch spokesman Ed Martin said the long-proposed Southwest Judicial Complex would be located across Window Rock Boulevard from the existing 40-year-old Hall of Justice.

The Southwest Judicial Center "has a three-fold intended use: first, to house the Navajo Nation Supreme Court; second, to house the Window Rock District Court; and third, to house the Administrative Office of the Courts," Martin said...

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Deaths

Bettie Jo Webster

GALLUP — Services for Bettie Webster, 66, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Gallup Church of Christ, 1000 E. Green St. Pastort Jon Rowe will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Visitation will be at held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Rollie Mortuary.

Webster died April 28 in Gallup. She was born April 14, 1935, in Cement, Okla.

Survivors include her husband, Roy C. Webster of Gallup; son, Woodrow Otis Webster of Albuquerque; daughter, Wendy Olivia Neal of Horn Lake, Miss.; brothers, Gene Talbert of Cooksville, Tenn., and Lester Talbert of Chickasha, Okla.; sisters, Della Akins of Sentinel, Okla., and Ruth Reed of Chickasha, Okla.; and two grandchildren.

Webster was preceded in death by her parents, John Woodie and Nannie Talbert; son, Wilson Olivar Webster; sister, Helen Sorenson; and brothers, Roy Talbert, S.C. Talbert and William Talbert.

Pallbearers will be John Alexander, Jack Drane, Darrell Henderson, Wendell Nicholson, Greg Peterson and Merle Roehr.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Frances Gorman Tsosie

SALINA SPRINGS, Ariz. — Services for Frances Tsosie, 70, will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at Ganado Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Paul Stone will officiate.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services.

Tsosie died April 29 in Chinle, Ariz. She was born May 2, 1930, in Arizona into the Manygoats People Clan for the the Bitter Water Clan.

Tsosie was a housewife.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmie Tsosie Sr. of Salina Springs; sons, David Tsosie of Redondo Beach, Calif., Jerry N. Tsosie of Many Farms, Ariz., , Larry N. Tsosie of Anaheim, Calif., Jimmy Tsosie of Mesa, Ariz., and Gary Tsosie and
George N. Tsosie, both of Salina Springs; daughters, Ruthie J. Mitchell of Chinle, Ariz., Francelia Tsosie of Chandler, Ariz.
and Regina A. Tsosie of Mesa; father, Chee Gorman; brothers, Harry Gorman and Kee Yazhi Gorman; 21 grandchildren; and
11 great-grandchildren.

Tsosie was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Gorman.

Pallbearers will be David Tsosie, Jerry N. Tsosie, George N. Tsosie, Larry N. Tsosie, Gary Tsosie and Jimmy Tsosie Jr.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Samson Tom

CUBA — Services for Samson Tom, 34, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at Rock of Ages Church, Littlewater.
Pastor Harry D. Largo will officiate. Burial will follow on private family land, Littlewater.

Tom died April 29 in Cuba. He was born Jan. 5, 1967, in Crownpoint into the Hairy People Clan for the Towering House
People Clan.

Survivors include his wife, Theresa Augustine of Cuba; daughters, Crystal Tom and Samantha Tom, both of Red Valley, Ariz.; mother, Rita Woody of Littlewater; brothers, Bahe Tom of Grants, Jaymes Tom of Crownpoint, Samuel Tom of Albuquerque, Edison Woody of Smith Lake, and Alex Tom, Jones Tom and Woody Ben Tom, all of Littlewater; and sisters, Louise Woody and Sadie Woody, both of Littlewater and Bernice Benally of Crownpoint and Bessie Enrico of Littlewater.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Little Tom.

Pallbearers will be Alex Tom, Jaymes Tom, Jayson Tom, Jones Tom, Larrison Tom and Samuel Tom.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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