Easy money?
Tribal official: Appointees earn their paychecks

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Big paychecks may seem like easy money to those with smaller paychecks, but try asking the nearly 40 political appointees of Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. how easy it really is.

"Each of these people he appoints are on call 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week," said Patrick Sandoval, Shirley's chief of staff.

From that perspective, his $69,388.80 annual salary isn't what it seems.

If broken down by his hours, Sandoval said, the big paycheck looks a lot smaller.

In fact, he said, most of the at-will employees put in an average of 60 hours to 70 hours a week.

In other words, the 65 hours he puts in translates to just $20 an hour. If he works 80 hours in a week, his salary grows smaller, to $16 an hour.

"No matter what happens, if there's a Navajo Nationwide issue or (one restricted to) one division ... if I need to, or have to, I will call (the political appointee necessary)" Sandoval said.

A truck accident, for example, will warrant a call to public safety Division Director Samson Cowboy, annual salary $59,862.40. If children are involved, then that could translate into a call to social servicesDivision Director Iris Peterson, annual salary $63,814.40 or, if chemicals are spilled, a call to the environmental protection agency Division Director Stephen Etsitty, annual salary $67,371.20.

Sandoval said he has the names of spouses and children for each of Shirley's appointees as well as all contact numbers.

"Their responsibility is to make sure things get done," Sandoval said. "They really have no life; they're at the 'avail' of the president."

Division directors and staff meet with Shirley every Monday morning for three to four hours, he said, and one-on-ones are scheduled throughout the week as issues come up.

"The president has some very hard-working people who are dedicated," Sandoval said.

Because employees are appointees and "at-will", job security is low. And Shirley's appointees help oversee and operate an executive branch made up of 6,500 employees.

"Most of us didn't take this job for the money," said Cowboy. "I think we have good intentions ... we're looking at good returns (for the Navajo Nation)."

Recently, Shirley's latest appointee, George Hardeen, Director of Communications for the Office of the President and Vice President, came under scrutiny for his salary of $81,640. The appointment and salary, tied Hardeen with Anslem Roanhorse, director of the Division of Health, for the third highest-paid appointee under Shirley's administration.

"We look at George as a professional," Sandoval said. "George is proving himself and George has accomplished a lot in the seven weeks he's been here."

As to the backlash of Hardeen's non-Navajo status, Sandoval simply said he is considered family.

"George's wife is Navajo, his kids are Navajo, and his home is Navajo," Sandoval said.

And Hardeen joined a crew who "works everyday towards bringing the Navajo Nation up to a level it should be", Sandoval said.

"It's not a fruitless job, it's got its rewards," Sandoval said. "The rewards lie in each and every employee that works for President Shirley who believe in his vision."

— To contact reporter Pam Dempsey call (505) 879-1707 or email pamelagdempsey@msn.com