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They are mean ones… Or are they? Film Reviews Pages 17 & 18 VOL 4 | ISSUE 188 | NOVEMBER 9, 2018
THE ELECTED NEZ FOR PREZ; DEMS OVERWHELMINGLY WIN N.M. Story Page 4
Roads project takes center stage at county meeting HEATED RIGHT-OF-WAY ITEM DISAPPROVED AT MEETING
By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent
T
he final item on the McKinley County Board of Com missioners’ agenda list turned out to be the first item discussed at the Nov. 6 regular meeting. The item, which was not approved at the meeting, involved Resolution No. NOV18-078, which details various interests in county maintained roads, public roads that are privately maintained and the non-maintenance of roads without express rights-of-way within other jurisdictions. The meeting room in the McKinley County Courthouse was filled with community members and leaders from local Navajo Nation chapters who voiced a unanimous sentiment – the commission should not take action on this item just yet. Action on the item would include the county stopping work on roads it does not have express interest in or right-ofway for. County Manager Anthony Dimas Jr. said complications with maintenance on numerous county roads stem from the county not having the right-ofway on those roads. Board Chairperson Genevieve Jackson said many of the county roads that fall under the resolution are rural dirt roads that have been used since the late 1800s. Today, these roads are used daily to access both county
Board of Commissioners Chairperson Genevieve Jackson. File Photo
District 3 Commissioner Bill Lee. File Photo
schools and senior centers. Julie Badonie, chapter president for Tohatchi, said she was surprised the item was on the agenda for this meeting. She said she found out about the measure from a chapter official at an Albuquerque gathering. Badonie said the county should have informed individual chapters about their proposals to stop maintenance on the roads. “We should have been told about this [individually],” she said. David Silversmith, proposal writer for the Navajo Division of Transportation, was also present at the meeting and said there has been no real discussion or attempt to resolve these issues from any side. But, he said, informing the public is a good starting point. “Now we have to acknowledge [these issues],” he said. “The chapters can step forward. [People are] looking forward to changes with more communication and
transparency.” Silversmith said an election day was not the time to act on the item, and the right-of-way process can take a long time to resolve. Once the public comments subsided, Jackson took the opportunity to address the room about what the board had done in the past to resolve roads issues. “I ask, where are the delegates?” she said, recounting a planned meeting with several county chapters to which no delegates showed up. Jackson said the board went before U.S. Congress eight times to address the roads issue, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs and NDOT did not show up to tackle the matter. “It bothers us — [not having decent roads] is a great injustice,” Jackson said. “[BIA] just won’t move.” District 1 Commissioner Carol Bowman-Muskett said she chose not to act on the seemingly
complex resolution. “I feel for the people out there,” she said, adding it’s up to the chapter officials and community members to push BIA and NDOT to take action on the matter. She said various county departments had to make budget cuts in order to fund maintenance work on county roads. District 3 Commissioner Bill Lee provided the costs to fix various county roads over the past several years — $1.2 million in 2016, $1.1 million in 2017 and roughly $700,000 so far this year. Lee said the county is doing everything it can to get the attention of crucial entities like the BIA and NDOT. He said the county roads department constructed an emergency bypass through Manuelito Canyon after the South Manuelito Bridge No. 8080 was closed in 2013. Despite appearing to be a beneficial move for the community, Lee said county officials were threatened with potential jail time for helping with roads. “Jail time because we didn’t have right of way,” he said, stressing how important the process is for roads maintenance. Lee and the rest of the commissioners reminded the citizens and chapter officials in the room to direct their frustrations and questions toward the BIA and their council delegates. “This will come back, and we will need everyone’s help [to resolve it],” Lee said.
The item was disapproved with a 3-0-0 vote. Other items discussed at meeting included: • The first reading of Ordinance No. NOV-18-006 Wireless Telecom mu n icat ion s Facilities Ordinance. The Broadband Communications Act mentioned by County Attorney Doug Decker lasts up to 15 years and is flexible. The board will wait for comments on the draft from partner entities Sacred Wind Communications and Oso Internet Solutions before taking action. • T he second rea d i ng of Ordinance No. NOV-18-005 involves a Local Economic Development Project for Financial Assistance proposed by Thomas L. Elkins of Cowboys and Indians. The item includes the purchase of a former ambulance building in Thoreau for maintenance and repair to convert into a workspace. The item was approved with a 3-0-0 vote. • Resolution NOV-18-080 would increase budgeted revenues and expenses for the purchase of a modular building for Red Lake Chapter School funded by DFA in the amount of $50,000, was approved with a 3-0-0 vote. • A n Awa rd to Bu si nes s Environments for IFB NO. 2018-15 for tile installation of McKinley County Courthouse was approved with a 3-0-0 vote.
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Friday November 9, 2018 • Gallup Sun
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Navajo Nation refiles lawsuit against Wells Fargo Staff Reports
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INDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation officials announced they have directed their legal counsel, Hueston Hennigan, to refile the Nation’s suit against Wells Fargo Bank in Navajo Nation District Court and to file an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The Nation’s lawsuit details Wells Fargo’s long campaign of predatory and unlawful practices that targeted and harmed the Navajo people. The Nation’s lawsuit in the Window Rock District Court alleges that Wells Fargo
defrauded Navajo citizens with a variety of unlawful practices, including opening fake accounts in their name, and then made misrepresentations to the Nation’s leaders about those practices in order to avoid an investigation. “Wells Fargo’s egregious and predatory misconduct defrauded and harmed the Nation,” Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said. “As we have said all along, we intend to hold Wells Fargo accountable through whatever means necessary and we are committed to seeking recovery for our people.” Navajo Nation Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Seth Damon agreed. “The fact remains that after
Medicare Open Enrollment runs through Dec. 7 Staff reports
S
ANTA FE – The New Mex ico A g i n g a nd Long-Ter m Ser v ices Department is reminding New Mexicans that Medicare Open Enrollment began the week of Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Changes made during this period will take effect on Jan. 1, 2019. Medicare is federal health care coverage for those 65 and older, certain younger people with disabilities and people with end-stage renal disease. During open enrollment, participants can: • Adjust Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage. • Change from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa). • Switch between Medicare Advantage plans. • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. • Switch existing drug plans or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage. “Open enrollment is an important time to review Medicare coverage and make sure you have a plan that best fits your needs,” Kyky Knowles, acting Aging and Long-Term Services secretary, said. “Whether you are inquiring on your own behalf, or you are a family caregiver looking for Medicare insurance that provides the best value for your loved one, the resources we prov ide can help you NEWS
navigate the open enrollment process and make it a little less overwhelming.” The Department’s Aging and Disability Resource Center is available to assist anyone who has questions during Medicare Open Enrollment. The ADRC provides neutral and unbiased information about prescription drug plans or Medicare Advantage plans. These resources are available at no cost. Additionally, the ADRC is available from 7:45 am to 5 pm. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) to provide assistance. Contact the ADRC toll free at 1 (800) 432-2080. Additionally, the ADRC and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program are hosting meetings throughout the enrollment period to answer questions in person about Medicare Open Enrollment. These meetings, held throughout the state, are designed to offer help to individuals who may want to switch their plan or newly enroll into a Medicare prescription drug plan or Medicare Health Plan. To see the full list of meetings, visit nmaging.state. nm.us, and click on the Special Events tab. Some meetings are by appointment only and others are walk-in. Screening for Extra Help, which assists with paying for prescription drug costs, will also be provided. Please bring your prescriptions, or a list of all medications you take including the full name of the drug, the strength, and the dosage.
taking advantage of Navajo people for years, Wells Fargo lied to Navajo leadership about whether any of these unlawful sales practices affected members of the Nation. Wells Fargo cannot escape these facts,” he said. The Nation originally filed suit in United States District Court in December 2017. The complaint detailed a long pattern of misconduct by Wells Fargo, and brought claims under the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Act, claims under other federal consumer protection laws, and claims under state, tribal and common law. While the United States District Court recently dismissed the federal claims on technical grounds, the Nation has also filed an appeal of those claims in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The Nation believes it is entitled to continue pursuing its federal claims arising out of Wells Fargo’s outrageous and improper practices. “The Navajo Nation is confident that its federal claims will be vindicated on appeal and that Wells Fargo will be held
accountable for its egregious targeting of the Navajo people, especially our elders, with unlawful sales practices,” Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch said. T he Nava jo Nation is
represented by At tor ney General Ethel Branch, Assistant Attorneys General Paul Spruhan and Jana Werner of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, and John C. Hueston and Moez M. Kaba of Hueston Hennigan LLP.
Navajo Nation refiles lawsuit detailing Wells Fargo’s practices, which allegedly targeted and harmed the Navajo people. Photo Credit: Stock Photo
Gallup Sun • Friday November 9, 2018
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HER E A T U N M - G A L L U P , W E A R E A C O M M U N I T Y O F U N I Q U E P ER SP E C T I V E S R ESP EC T I N G A N D E M B R A C I N G O U R DI F F E R E N C E S . W E A R E A C U L T U R E O F C O N T R A S T R A T H E R T H A N A C O N T R A S T O F C U L T U R E . U NA F R AI D T O L E T O U R COL OR S R U N A N D B L E N D A N D W E L E T T H E V E R Y T H I N G S T H A T D I V I D E U S B E C O M E T H E T H I N G S T H A T C ON NEC T U S T O EACH OT H E R . S O W E C A N C R E A T E , CO L L E C T A N D BE I NSP I R ED BY K N O W L E D G E - A B O U T E V E R Y T H I N G F R O M SCIENCE AND WELDING TECHNOLOGY TO LIBERAL ARTS AND DENTAL ASSISTING.
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24 Friday November 9, 2018 • Gallup Sun
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