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NO FREE RIDE
VOL 4 | ISSUE 182 | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
GMCS says no to transporting Hรณzhรณ kids. Story Page 4
Local broadcaster up for Hall of Fame induction. Story Page 16
New Mexico lacks opportunities for young adult parents and their kids REPORT SHOWS NEEDS AND BARRIERS FACING STATE’S YOUNG PARENTS By Sharon Kayne New Mexico Voices for Children
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LBUQUERQUE — With limited access to opportunities to advance their education and find family sustaining jobs, New Mexico’s 33,000 young adult parents face hurdles to support their children and fulfill their own potential, according to Opening Doors for Young Parents, the latest KIDS COUNT policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT grantee in New Mexico, New Mexico Voices for Children, joined the call for action so these young parents can contribute to the state’s communities and economy. The fifty-state report reveals that, at 16 percent, New Mexico is above the national average (10 percent) of youth ages 18 to 24 who are also parents. The report highlights the following statewide trends and areas of concern:
• 41,000 ch ild ren in New Mexico have young parents (ages 18 to 24). • 77 percent of children of young parents in New Mexico live in low-income families, one of the highest percentages in the country. • Only 9 percent of young parents (ages 18 to 24) have completed an associate’s degree or higher. • 79 percent of New Mexico’s young parents are people of color, facing challenges exacerbated by discrimination and systemic inequities, with their children standing to suffer the most. “One of the ways that we can greatly improve outcomes for families headed by young parents is to increase proven home visiting programs,” James Jimenez, executive director of NM Voices, said. “Studies show that these parent coaching programs improve educational outcomes for kids, reduce the incidence of child abuse, and improve health outcomes for the whole family, among the
many other benefits. Sadly, the state has not fully funded this program, so only a tiny fraction of New Mexico’s youngest children benefit.” The report spotlights a national population of more than 6 million, including 2.9 million young adult parents, ages 18 to 24, and 3.4 million children nationwide living with young parents. Opening Doors for Young Parents illuminates the most common obstacles young adult parents face, including incomplete education, lack of family-sustaining employment opportunities, lack of access to quality child care, inadequate and unstable housing, and financial insecurity. These barriers threaten not only these young adults, but also their young children, setting off a chain of diminished opportunities for two of our nation’s future generations. But the report includes recommendations for addressing the obstacles that young parents face, most of which can be
driven by policy solutions at the state level. The Ca sey Fou ndation stresses the importance of a two-generation approach to equip young parents for success. “If we don’t support young people when they become parents, we are cheating two generations out of having a positive future,” Casey Foundation President and CEO Patrick McCarthy said. “We can help young adult parents develop the skills they need to raise their children, contribute to their communities, and drive our national economy forward.” New Mexico Voices for Children further stresses the importance of helping the state’s you ng parents access educational and employment opportunities. In an increasingly competitive workforce la ndscape, education ca n make a significant difference in earning power for families. However, as the data demonstrate, young adult parents here in New Mexico, like young
Council helps keep state ‘enchanted’
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ditor, On Sept. 25, t he Ga l lup Cit y Cou ncil pa ssed a Resolution No. 2018-27 — “A RESOLUTION OPPOSING TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE VIA RAILWAY THROUGH THE CITY OF GALLUP FOR THE PURPOSE OF TEMPORARY CONSOLIDATED STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE IN
NEW MEXICO.” Five other cities in New Mexico (Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Las Cruces, Jal and Lake Arthur) have passed resolutions in opposition to this transportation on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Interstate 40 which will pass through McKinley County and the City of Gallup. There are at least 14 Navajo communities along the proposed transport corridor and
GOING STRONG | FROM PAGE 13
clanship relatives came from various parts of the reservation like Chinle, Rock Point, Cross Canyon and Ft. Defiance to celebrate her birthday and they had a lot of Native food to eat like frybread and mutton stew. She was absolutely happy and grateful that she had a wonderful and joyous 101 st birthday celebration. Irvin Jones, Gallup, New Mexico
her three sons who are: (Left to right) Alex, Fred and Albert and two of her daughters who are sitting with her are: (Left to right) Jeannie and Pearl Day. Grandma also has several grandchildren and great grandchildren who came to celebrate her birthday. Many of her blood and
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Friday September 28, 2018 • Gallup Sun
numerous Navajo homes as well from the Eastern edge of McKinley County to the New Mexico/Arizona State line. A c o m p a n y, H o l t e c International, has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to store radioactive waste in a temporary (up to 40 years) underground storage facility in Lea County in Southern New Mexico until a permanent storage location can be identified and built. But I know this is slated to be a permanent site; the same thing happened in Nevada at Yucca Mountain at Skull Valley on the Western Shoshone reservation. The recent two train derailments in and near Gallup and the accidents on I-40 involving a semi (total loss) and a semi and Greyhound bus that took the lives of eight people speak to the dangers involved. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission held public scoping
meetings across New Mexico including one in Gallup on May 21. The public comment period closed on July 31, 2018. At the meeting there was no official representation from the City of Gallup, the McKinley County Commission, New Mexico State Representatives from Districts 5 or 9 and the Navajo Nation. At the NRC hosted meeting there was one hundred percent opposition; not one person spoke in favor of Holtec’s proposal. Unfortunately, the concerns of many Navajo residents who reside within the boundaries of McKinley County which includes the Navajo Nation and who are opposed to the reactivation of the Church Rock and Crownpoint uranium mines are left out of the loop when it comes to the United States government “Trust Responsibility.” At prior McKinley County Commission meetings, I have also submitted information regarding the proposed reactivation of said
parents nationwide, do not have the post-secondary education or specialized skills to obtain family-sustaining jobs. KIDS COUNT is a program of New Mexico Voices for Children and is made possible by grants from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. New Mexico Voices for Children is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advocating for policies to improve the health and well-being of New Mexico’s children, families and communities. T he A n n ie E. Ca sey Foundation creates a brighter future for the nation’s children by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. KIDS COUNT is a registered trademark of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Opening Doors for Young Parents can be viewed at www. aecf.org/resources/openingdoors-for-young-parent s; www.nmvoices.org. mines and the proposed transportation of high-level radioactive waste by Holtec International through Gallup, McKinley County the State of New Mexico and the Southern border of the Navajo Nation. There are at least 14 Navajo communities along the proposed transport corridor and numerous Navajo homes as well from the Eastern edge of McKinley County to the New Mexico/ Arizona State line. A BIG “Thank you!” to Mayor Jackie McKinney and the Gallup City Council for this Resolution. With the public’s safety in mind, I remain hopeful that this “Good Neighbor” action will be followed by the Navajo Nation Council during the Fall Session for the sake of the Navajo people. The Resolution No. 2018-27 stands with other concerned citizens of New Mexico to keep our State from becoming the Land of Entrapment and remain “The Land of Enchantment.” Mervyn Tilden Gallup, New Mexico OPINIONS
COMMUNITY Gallup’s TA travel stop shows customers some love TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA HOLDS A FUN AND MUSIC-FILLED DAY FOR TRUCKERS AND CUSTOMERS By Dee Velasco For the Sun
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ike all of us who have traveled the highways and byways, pit stops are a much-welcomed relief, especially at places where the reception is warm. One pit stop that really shows its appreciation for its drivers and customers is TravelCenters of America at the west end of Gallup. Sept. 22 was the Drivers/ Customers Appreciation Day at the Gallup TA, located at 3404 West Highway 66 and Interstate 40. The event, held at the truck stop, was filled with fun and games, free fruit and
water, and a live country band playing for the crowd. Special food-menu items were served outside, including Nava jo tacos, a double patty Navajo burger and frybread. The annual appreciation day was welcomed with interest from locals and tourists alike as they particiapted in its various activities. Despite a rough start in the morning, the event went off without a hitch, TA General Manager Thomacita Nez said. Nez made sure everything ran smoothly, and prepared the goodies for the crowd. With the company for over 13 years, Nez said it makes her feel good to do this for the drivers and
Serving the goodies to the crowd were the TA crew: (Left to right) Vemm Laughing, Eugene Louis, Thomascito Nez, Tyson King, Tanya Yazzie, Cassie Spencer, Valerie Quintana and Brittany Hubbard. Photo Credit: Dee Velasco
Customer appreciation was a hit with the crowd as they enjoyed the country music provided by “Full Country” at the Sept. 22 TravelCenters of America appreciation day. Photo Credit: Dee Velasco
Truck-driving couple Keith and Theresa Yates along with their sidekick, Taz, at the Sept. 22 TA event. Photo Credit: Dee Velasco COMMUNITY
customers. “It’s something we do for the drivers and customers every year, where we appreciate them,” she said. “This has been going on for a quite a while ever since I can remember. It makes me feel good when you see customers and drivers come through and they’re happy at what we’re doing. We’ve had customers who have been coming in for the past five or 10 years where we know them by name.” Nez said just having the customers acknowledge what TA is doing makes it all worthwhile.
The travel center comprises a restaurant, truck stop, convenience store and hotel. All this may seem like a lot of work, but Nez said her workers and volunteers help make it possible. “It’s mainly for the drivers that keep our company running, so it’s appreciation for them and I couldn’t have done it without my volunteers for coming out and helping us,” Nez said. A mon g t ho s e helpi n g with the event was TA Acting G ener a l M a n a ger Ca s sie Spencer. Although, it may seem like
a lot of work, Spencer said, it’s a lot fun, especially when working with fellow co-workers. Customers have thought the workers were brothers and sisters because they work well together and are close to one another. All in all, the workers pulled out an awesome appreciation day, Spencer said. “I think it came out pretty good, we had quite bit of people out there having fun,” she said. “In fact they were dancing and
GALLUP’S TA | SEE PAGE 16
Gallup Sun • Friday September 28, 2018
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