Zuni candidates lay out platforms
Cooeyate/Simplicio

Norman Cooeyate and running mate Dancy Simplicio are vying for the position of governor and lt. governor in the upcoming Zuni elections. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Staff Writer

ZUNI — With only three days left until the Zuni election, Governor and Lieutenant Governor candidates Norman Cooeyate and running mate Dancy Simplicio are optimistic that their campaign platform will convince voters that they deserve the two top seats in the Zuni government.

During the primaries, Cooeyate and Simplicio came in first with 331 votes, while Shirley Bellson and running mate Edward W. Wemytewa trailed closely behind with 307 votes.

Since the primaries, Cooeyate and Simplicio have been campaigning at more personal levels, mostly at community events.

Cooeyate, whose clan is Turkey-Child of Parrot, is currently a program coordinator for the National Institute of Health. Simplicio's clan is Frog-Child of Eagle, and is currently a reality specialist and director for the Pueblo of Zuni.

A main focus of Cooeyate and Simplicio's platform consists of addressing a number of areas in the government, including the finances in Zuni, establishing communication with the community, creating a community-wide health education program, creating a economic development master plan, securing resources and establish dialogues with government entities.

A main priority is addressing the $6.5 million deficit that the community has from land purchases in Arizona, among other things.

"That's not only been our concern, but the community's concern," said Cooeyate. "We looked at the 2005 audit report and it doesn't paint a good picture."

The candidates have been analyzing the tribe's financial statutes and, as they put it, are "getting a full picture of where the people stand."

Simplicio said when the 2006 audit is complete, they will have a better idea of where the tribe sits financially and from there can begin to address the deficit. The audit will not be complete until 2007, and the two are hopeful that they will be inaugurated in the elected positions by then.

Opening up communication with the community and the media is another cornerstone of their platform.

"Information doesn't flow freely from the administration," said Cooeyate, pointing out that the last public meeting that the government held was in July.

While Cooeyate said the community is aware there is "dire strait" situations within the government, and instead of getting details, Simplicio said, they are left to speculate. For example, they said the recent audit was made available to community members at the public library, but that the inch thick documents provided no interpretation, leaving no explanation for many.The two stated that their challengers, Bellson and Wemytewa, have stated open communication as one of their platforms, but said that they have been part of the current administration, where there has been no dialogue.

"The current administration hasn't met those expectations of informing people," said Cooeyate.

Simplicio said that communication needs to be opened on a state and national level, as well with entities like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Services, and with officials in the legislative branches. "We need to start building bridges and opening channels," she said.

With a current 56 percent unemployment rate, Cooeyate said they want to look into creating economic development opportunities, like hotels for example. Because of the location of Zuni, Cooeyate said it is hard to attract business, but would like to explore options to expand business and bring in money.

Cooeyate shared his disappointment with the current response given by the administration in the 2006 audit, which states that they "don't see any immediate or future strategies to combat high unemployment rates."

And although the two have began to strategize and create a game plan that would address the economy in Zuni, they admit that it is something that will take time to correct.

"A lot of these problems can't be fixed in a four-year period," said Cooeyate.

Cooeyate said the repayment for loans that previous administrations took out could took up to 40 years to repay.

Revamping programs that focus on health, higher education, and veteran issues are also at the top of the two's priority list. If elected, they would like to designate a place where veterans can come together, and appropriate more money for schools, and for health care.

"The people is where it really comes down to," said Simplicio. "They're full of questions. Hopefully we can provide some of the answers."