City heads hesitant on police board
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Some city officials are concerned that the creation
of a police advisory committee would create a board that tries
to run the police department.
City councilor Louis Bonaguidi said that while he understands
the reasoning why such a board would help the new police chief,
he said Gallup has had problems in the past with members of advisory
committees who get upset when they don't have the authority to
regulate.
A good example of this, he said, was when members of a jail advisory
committee some years ago tried to set policy and when they were
told they could not, some members of the committee resigned.
"We don't want that to happen in this case," he said.
Police Chief Daniel Kneale, who is urging the council to create
the police advisory committee, said he could understand this kind
of concern but he doubts that it will be a problem here.
"I plan to bring this up at the first meeting and stress
to the members that they are not an oversight committee,"
he said.
Kneale said he has talked to a couple of other members of the
council who have also expressed the same kinds of concerns.
City Manager David Ruiz, at his press conference last week, said
that several communities in New Mexico have had problems in the
past with police committees, whether they have been oversight
committee, such as the one in Albuquerque, or advisory in nature.
Except for committees liked the lodger's tax and planning and
zoning, none of the various boards set up by the city have any
regulatory function. They make recommendations but there have
been times in the past when a refusal by the city council to follow
these recommendations has resulted in resignations.
Kneale has addressed these concerns from the beginning, saying
that he wants to see a committee that will give him input into
what the community as a whole wants to see the police department
doing. He would use the committee, for example, as a sounding
board when the department is seeking funds for new programs.
If something happens like the shootout several months ago that
resulted in the death of a police officer, the committee will
not be allowed to look into the circumstances to see if the police
acted properly.
"If they (the members of the committee) indicate that they
want to do that, I will just tell them a flat no no, that wasn't
the intent in creating the board," Kneale said.
He added that he has created advisory boards at other police departments
where he has worked and they have all worked well, although he
admitted that he has no idea how well they worked after he left
But what about the possibility of problems after he leaves Gallup
and a new police chief is appointed who can't control the board?
If that happens, said Kneale, the city council can just dissolve
the board.
The council is scheduled to discuss the matter at its regular
meeting on Tuesday.
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Olympic torch to Monument Valley
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
WINDOW ROCK — "Free" is a term that rings well in all
ears during a recession and the 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay will
be just that — free.
The Navajo Nation is the only American Indian tribe hosting this free-to-all
event at its Monument Valley tribal park. More than 30 torch runners
from throughout the world, including an entourage of runners from
the Navajo Nation, are each expected to run two-tenths of a mile each
with the torch.
The Navajo Nation event at its Monument Valley (Utah) tribal park
will begin Feb. 4 at approximately 11 a.m. from the Totem Pole Rock
formation. It will conclude with an acknowledgment ceremony, set for
2 p.m. at the Monument Valley Visitor Center.
At least seven members of the Navajo tribe have already been announced
to run with the torch, and a few are reported to have been added.
The names of the add-ons were not available as of press time. The
seven Dine previously announced are Jack Anderson, Virginia Yazzie-Ballenger,
Navajo Code Talker Wilfred Billey, Rosie Dayzie, Kathy J. Holtsoi,
long-distance competitor Brandon Leslie and Elmer Charles Yazzie.
"The public is invited to attend this unique opportunity to showcase
the Navajo Nation," Navajo Tourism Director Fred White said.
"We are the only American Indian tribe that has this opportunity
to promote who we are to the world. I am encouraging the Navajo people
to support our Navajo runners and our involvement in the 2002 Winter
Olympics."
The Olympic Torch will be flown to Monument Valley from Arches National
Park and Moab, Utah. Once it has completed its journey to Monument
Valley, it will be flown to Bryce Canyon.
Visitors to Monument Valley are asked to dress warmly and bring their
own (non-glass) food and drinks. Limited food items can be purchased
in the Visitor Center parking lot. School buses will be allowed in
and out of the valley so students can cheer on the runners.
Posted signs will direct visitors to various parking spaces outside
the park. No private vehicles will be allowed with the exception of
medical and safety personnel. The Navajo transit system will transport
visitors from the junction of Highway 163 and Indian Route 42 to the
Visitor Center. Shuttle buses will provide transport into the valley
for a minimal fee.
For information, contact Roberta John at the tribal Division of Economic
Development, (928) 871-7373, or e-mail her, robertajpress@lycos.com.
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Mount Taylor set for 19th Quadrathalon
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
GRANTS — In 34 days more than 500 competitors, many of them world-class,
will be bicycling, running, snowshoeing and skiing up and down Mount
Taylor.
The 19th Annual Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathalon is designed to test
the athletic skills and abilities of athletes from around the country
and the world.
This year Gov. Gary Johnson will again compete after opting out in
2001 race with a hurt back only weeks before the race.
"That's all he talks about now," said Diane Kinderwater,
the governor's press secretary. "It's quad this, and quad that
... he's really psyched for it."
The Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathalon is the only race like it in the
world. The grueling 44-mile course up the side of Mount Taylor to
its 11,301 foot summit, the race starts from downtown Grants at an
elevation of 6,400 feet in the dead of winter on Feb. 16.
Competitors start with a 13-mile sprint on bicycles up Lobo Canyon
Road to the end of the pavement on the side of Mount Taylor. That
represents an 1,800 feet climb in and some near-bursting lungs as
bone-tired legs furiously pump bicycle pedals to gain an edge on the
nearest competitor.
Without resting quadrathletes make the transition from bicycles to
running shoes for the next five mile leg of the event.
Ordinarily the road run begins on dry gravel, but as the runners climb
Mount Taylor another 1,200 feet, snow often packs the road.
Again there's no rest as the runners then make the transition onto
cross-country skies for a two-mile jaunt through the trees, climbing
another 1,200 feet in the process. And the race is far from over at
that point.
Competitors change from skies to snowshoes they have been carrying
on their backs and snowshoe the last mile, which is a 600-feet climb
to the top of Mount Taylor.
Past competitors say that at this point their lungs feeling like they
are on fire because of the pure physical exertion coupled with the
oxygen-starved atmosphere, but the quadrathalon is just half over.
Racers turn back around, snowshoe back down the mountain to the ski
transition point, strap the snowshoes on their backs and put the skies
on, cross-country ski for two miles to the running area, put on running
shoes and run the five miles back to the awaiting bicycles, jump on
the bikes and peddle for all they are worth down the steep 13 miles
to Grants.
Last year Andrew Adamowski, of Evergreen, Colo., did the entire course
in 3:48.25 and the female soloist, Danielle Ballengee, of Dillon,
Colo., did the course in 4:02.55. In the team effort, the team Second
Wind completed the course in 3:34.00.
Race categories include male and female soloists, pairs and teams.
Racers in the past have been from sub-teens to in their 70s.
Cibola County residents line the race route through Grants and as
each competitor passes are cheered and clapped on to the finish line.
"This is the only event of its kind," said Bob Vandiver,
race publicist. To exemplify how tough this race can be, one simply
has to look at the rules. "No form of locomotion other than running,
walking or crawling is allowed."
Vandiver said race coordinators are expecting between 500 to 600 competitors
this year. "We won't know how many until we get into February,"
Vandiver said. "A lot of them come from Colorado."
Applications have been handed out by the Grants/Cibola County Chamber
of Commerce since November.
Weather in February can be unpredictable at best, which is why quad
planners have a contingency plan in place in case there's not enough
snow on the mountain. But one thing that is predictable is the altitude.
It is recommended that competitors who live in states or nations at
a lower altitude arrive in Grants at least three days early to acclimate
to the altitude.
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Area sports
Carrie Loretto
Sports Editor
GALLUP — The Gallup Bengal matmen captured third place at their
own wrestling meet held Saturday at Gallup High School.
The Bengals went 3-1 in the seven-team field, beating Onate in the
opening round before losing to eventual tourney champ Sandia. In the
consolation bracket, Gallup beat Manzano to stay alive and St. Pius
in the third place match.
Sandia beat Farmington 39-34 to capture the team title. The Matadors
received a first round bye then defeated Gallup 44-26 to advance into
the championship.
Third place Gallup 57, St. Pius 24
Bengal Eddie Alonzo pinned Alex Hughs at the 1:10 mark
of the first period in the 215 lbs. match to break a 12-12 tie and
four straight Gallup wins allowed the Bengals to pull away.
Gabe Sisneros pinned Joseph Martinez at :39 in the first period and
Brian Chee and Justin Arviso received forfeits at 189 and 275 lbs.
respectively as Gallup went ahead 33-12.
After James Garcia was pinned in the third period at 4:51 of his 112
lbs. match, B.J. McCollum started another string of three Bengal wins
with an 8-1 decision over Dominic Garcia in the 119 lbs. match. Randy
Brokeshoulder scored a forfeit at 125 and Jon Gordon pinned Joaqun
Martinez in the first period at 130.
Levi Saucedo and Zach Haynes completed the Bengal victory with pins
in the first period. Saucedo pinned Kevin Gonzales in the first period
and Haynes pinned Adam Gonzales at the 1:09 mark.
Doug Young opened the match with a first period pin over Christian
Hasse at the 1:26 mark.
Championship Sandia 39, Farmington 34
Four straight match wins at 125, 130, 135 and 140 lbs. helped the
Matadors recover from a 28-18 deficit and propelled them to the win.
Farmington scored victories at 152, 171, 215, heavyweight, 112 and
119 lbs. to build its ten-point lead, but lost four of the last five
matches.
The Matadors scored pins at 125 lbs. (Frank Gomez), 130 lbs. (Charlie
Williams) and at 135 lbs. (Anthony Aragon). Sandia also got a 7-2
decision at 140 lbs. from Josh Wenze to take a 39-28 advantage.
A first period pin by Lackey for Farmington in the 145 lbs. match
narrowed the final gap.
Farmington had reached the finals with a 76-6 win over St. Pius and
a 75-6 win over the Gallup JV.
Gallup 51, Manzano 30
Four straight match victories, including a pair of
forfeits, lifted the Bengals past Manzano.
Trailing 30-27 after splitting the first ten matches, Bengals Gordon
and Espinosa scored pins to put Gallup ahead 39-30.
Saucedo and Haynes received forfeit victories to complete the win.
Also scoring wins for Gallup were Doug Young at 152 lbs., Clint Wood
at 171 lbs., Eddie Alonzo at 215 lbs., Gabe Sisneros at 103 lbs. and
McCollum at 119 lbs.
Sandia 44, Gallup 26
The Bengals only lost 8-6 in matches, but their only six-point wins
were forfeits to McCollum and Alonzo.
Saucedo scored a 15-7 major decision over Peter Martinez at 140 lbs.
and Doug Young scored another 10-0 major decision over Jared Lucero
at 152 lbs. However, each was only worth four points in the team scoring.
Haynes scored a 6-0 decision at 145 lbs. and Justin Arviso a 7-0 decision
in the heavyweight division as each added 3 points to the Bengals'
team total.
Sandia won 7 of its 8 matches by pin, each worth the maximum six points.
The Matadors other win was by major decision.
Gallup 61, Onate 18
The Bengals dominated the Knights, losing only at 112, 125 and 160
lbs.
Sisneros, Gordon, Espinosa, Saucedo, Young, Haynes, Wood, Rocko Espinosa
and Arviso all scored pins.
Sisneros pinned Mark Tomplen at 103 lbs.; Gordon pinned Julian Grahm
in the second period at 130 lbs; Esinosa pinned Migiel Golran in the
first period at 135 lbs.; Saucedo pinned J.W. Brown in the first period
at 140 lbs.; Young pinned Roland Linn in the third period at 152 lbs.;
Wood scored a first period pin over Many Fanseca at 171 lbs.; Rocko
Esinosa pinned Chris Quezada in the second period at 189 lbs.; and
Arviso pinned Juan Ibbarra in the first period at 275 lbs.
Also scoring wins for Gallup were McCollum, a 12-0 major decision
at 119 lbs., and Alonzo with a 12-6 decision at 215 lbs.
The Bengals will wrestle at Rio Rancho Thursday.
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Chinle's Reed to run with Olympic torch
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
CHINLE — Chinle Elementary School Principal Jan Reed will be
running with the Olympic Torch Feb. 4, but not in Monument Valley,
Utah.
Reed will be among a prominent group of residents from this region
who will be part of the torch relay in St. George, Utah, the night
of Feb. 4. The Monument Valley event involving the Navajo Nation will
complete that morning's torch run.
A Chinle Unified teacher and administrator for 27 years, Reed will
be taking 35 of her lucky students with her to St. George, located
in Utah's southwest corner. Chinle Elementary has about 750 students
in grades four through six...
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Professor says six redistricting plans have flaws
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — State District Judge Frank Allen Jr. has
been greeted every morning for the past week by a sea of drab suits
and ties, dozens of colorful cardboard maps and testimony brimming
with statistics.
It doesn't sound like fun, but Allen must draw new political boundaries
for New Mexico's 70 House of Representative districts.
Redistricting ended up in his courtroom after the Democrat-controlled
Legislature and Republican Gov. Gary Johnson failed to agree on
a plan for revamping the districts to adjust for population shifts
during the 1990s...
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Navajo violence statistics escalating
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
WINDOW ROCK — The statistics of violence on the Navajo reservation
are stark. Those who work in the fields of social services, psychology,
and law enforcement are calling them alarming.
The domestic violence statistics were released to tribal division
directors Friday in a new Division of Social Services report title
"Regarding the Recent Violent Incidents within the Navajo Nation."
Tribal Department of Law Enforcement statistics from 1998-2000 show
a skyrocketing escalation of reservation domestic violence. There
were 1,775 domestic violence calls in 1998, a large increase to
2,112 in 1999, and another huge swing upward to 2,816 in 2000, a
three-year total of 6,703. The number of calls for 2001 was not
available in the report...
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Thoreau HS revises athlete 'event' policy
Staff Report
THOREAU — Parents of Thoreau High School students will receive
a memo outlining a revised admission policy for student
athletes to school events along with their Jan. 22 newsletter.
Coaches and club sponsors are now required to provide a list of
all eligible participants for each extra curricular event to assistant
principal Alberta Nozie one day in advance. Gatekeepers will use
the lists to identify those students eligible for free admission.
Athletes who present athletic participant passes on arrival will
also be admitted free of charge.
Principal Bruce Hopmeier issued a similar memo to staff Jan. 8 stating
that students eligible for free admission will be charged if coaches
and club sponsors fail to submit the requisite lists...
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Cop to cop
Staff Report
GALLUP — A Gallup Police sergeant gave another sergeant a ticket
for tailgating a pickup truck Monday afternoon after a minor crash.
Sgt. Gabriel Cebada wrote in a police report that the unmarked police
car driven by Gallup Police Detective Sgt. Gerald Tholund was north
on Munoz overpass when the pickup driven by Robert Cresto, 49, of
Gallup, stopped suddenly because a driver in front of Cresto stopped.
Tholund's car struck the back of the pickup. The truck had no visible
damage, while the police car hand a dented hood and scraped bumper,
according to the report.
The drivers suffered no injuries.
Cebada cited Tholund for following too closely, according to the
report.
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Cops look into teen shooting
BOSQUE FARMS, N.M. (AP) — A 14-year-old boy who was shot in
the head was listed in serious condition at University of New Mexico
Hospital Monday, hospital spokeswoman Veronica Valencia said.
Police said the boy, whose name was not released, was accidentally
shot by his 10-year-old brother.
The boy's father was rearranging his firearms Saturday afternoon
when the boy's younger brother picked up a weapon and a shot was
fired.
Lt. Jason Hatch said the boys' father took the 14-year-old boy to
University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque for treatment...
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Deaths
Nora Blackgoat
OLD COALMINE — Services for Nora Blackgoat, 65, will be held
at Good Shepard MissionTuesday with Bishop Steven Plummer officiating.
Burial will follow in Old Coalmine.
Visitation will be held one hour prior services at Good Shepard.
Blackgoat died Jan. 10, in Gallup. She was born April 2, 1936 in
Old Coalmine into the Salt People for the Bitterwater People.
Blackgoat tended to livestock, was a rugweaver and homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Frank Blackgoat; sons, Larry Blackgoat
of Tolakia and Dennis Blackgoat of Old Coalmine; sisters, Louise
W. Yazzie of Old Coalmine, Rebecca Arviso of Crownpoint and Domatilla
Goldtooth of Chandler, Ariz.; and four grandchildren.
Blackgoat was preceded in death by her, parents, Annie and Little
Willie; sisters, Mary Gordy, Edith Plummer, Francis Willie and Lillie
Willie and brother, Holden Willie.
Pallbearers will be Normen Lee, Alvin Lee, Marcus Blackgoat, Larry
Plummer, Bobby Sandoval Jr. and Mervin Plummer.
The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services
at St. Marks Church, Old Coalmine.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
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