Gallup Sun • Aug. 21, 2020

E FRE

VOL 6 | ISSUE 282 | AUGUST 21, 2020

By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

S

chool’s back in session at GMCS. But not for everybody.

Super intendent Mike Hyatt said all schools are open and safe. Hyatt says Gover nor Michelle Lu ja n Grisham has deemed Gallup McK inley County Schools safe, something Hyatt points to in response to the temporary restraining order that was issued against the district when he pushed to open classrooms against the orders of Education Secretary Ryan Stewart.

Despite that conclusion, many parents are currently opting for an online education for their students. Hyatt said he hopes to see that change over time, as families are reassured about the indoor environment.

While students can study off-campus, all teachers are required to report in-person or online for teaching duties.

Hyatt said 75 percent of all GMCS teachers went above and beyond and attended work in-person during the fi rst two days of their contract, demonstrating the level of commitment they have for the students.

“Cu r rent ly on ly P re Kindergarten through third grade can attend school in-person along with students with a disability at all grade levels,” Hyatt said in an email Aug. 19.

“These classes will be capped at 5 students to a 1 teacher ratio.”

Disagreements over school re-entry methods between GMCS and the McKinley County Federation of United School Employees led to a temporary restraining order issued against the district from State District Court Judge R. David Pederson for v iolating New Mexico

Doors open, computers on

Secretary of Education Ryan Stewart’s Aug. 4 order concerning onsite and online learning.

Hyatt told the Gallup Sun Aug. 19 that negotiations between GMCS and McFuse concluded Aug. 18, the same day McFuse issued a statement announcing the successful resolution of the litigation against GMCS. Hyatt is eager to put the disagreements in the past and turn the focus to students’ educational needs.

School re-entry safety precautions In an Aug. 18 statement, McFuse announced an end to litigation against GMCS, saying the district agreed in writing to provide the fol low i ng sa fe school re-entry guarantees: Accommodations for educators who are in high risk categories, or living with persons in high risk

categories; Persona l Protective E q u ipment , i nclud i n g gowns, N95 masks and other equipment for educators in high exposure positions; Workplace protections for custodians tasked with d isi n fecti ng operati ng classrooms;

HANDS OFF: The latest chapter in local schools’ fight for Impact Aid

No-cost COVID-19 testing for employees; Protocols to ensure that the district’s ventilation systems protect students and staff from unnecessary exposure.

MORE PHOTOS | SEE PAGE 14

SEE PAGE 4

Census 2 ◊

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Censo 2020 - Ser Contado ◊ La fecha límite para completar el censo de 2020 se cambió al 30 de septiembre de 2020. ◊ El censo ayuda al gobierno a decidir cómo gastar $ 675,000,000,000. ◊ Más personas contadas = más recursos y representación que obtendremos para nuestras escuelas, hospitales, viviendas y otros programas importantes. ◊ Es rápido y fácil de responder: en línea vaya a https://my2020census.gov/ o por teléfono al 1-844-330-2020. ◊ Si necesita ayuda, visite https://2020census.gov/en.html.

Census 2020- Be Counted ◊ The Deadline to complete the 2020 Census has been changed to September 30, 2020. ◊ The Census helps the Government decide how to spend $675,000,000,000. ◊ More People Counted = More Resources and Representation we will get for our schools, hospitals, housing and other important programs. ◊ It’s Quick and Easy to respond: on-line go to https://my2020census.gov/ or by phone at 1-844-330-2020. ◊ If you need help, visit https://2020census.gov/en.html.

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LOCAL NEWS

NEWS

Local schools fi le restraining order to state THE FIGHT TO KEEP IMPACT AID FUNDS CONTINUES

By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

D

espite a court ruling last spring in favor of the district, Ga l lup - McK i n ley County Schools faces a new obstacle in the ongoing battle over federal impact aid.

Superintendent Mike Hyatt said the district, along with Grants-Cibola County Schools a nd Zu n i P u bl ic S cho ol District, filed a temporary restraining order against the New Mexico Public Education Department on Aug. 18 in light of what the district viewed as an infraction of state laws.

“We challenged the PED on the data they were sending to the federal government and said it was inaccurate, and did not follow the rules and regulations that surround the federal requirements to take impact aid [from schools],” Hyatt told the Sun Aug. 20.

HOW WE GOT HERE

Since it exists primarily on tribal land, GMCS and other local districts rely on impact aid more than districts in heavily populated, urban areas. But those students and districts face more d isadva nt ages when it comes to receiving the impact aid.

Last fall, GMCS challenged the state in a hearing with the federal impact aid office.

“The federal government ruled in our favor and said we were correct, and there were areas where the state was not appropriately applying the right conditions to take those impact aid dollars from our students,” Hyatt said.

Howe v e r, G ov e r no r M ichel le L u ja n Gr i sh a m said this decision could be appealed by the state before the end of June, and the state did so, Hyatt continued.

“O nce t he r u l i ng wa s given, the state’s Secretary of Education decided to appeal the federal government’s decision, and at the same time, he

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also submitted new data to try to conform to the regulations the federal government has for impact aid,” Hyatt added.

This is where the complications arose and why the TRO was fi led.

“When the state did that, they submitted data that does not conform with state law,” Hyatt said. “Essentially, they were trying to write their own law outside the legislative process.

“Since we alleged they were breaking the law, we fi led the temporary restraining order to stop them from continuing down the road of not following our own state laws,” he added.

BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE The fight for federal impact aid is one that has spanned decades, and is particularly significant to students in the Gallup region. Hyatt explained the history of impact aid in previous discussions with the Sun. Because schools in property poor areas like Gallup don’t receive as much tax support as those in property rich districts, these less affluent districts have to make decisions that will stretch their tax dollars as far as they can go.

This is where impact aid comes in. Impact aid is federal funding in the form of a grant for government entities like public schools who do not have the ability to raise property tax dollars because the entity exists on non-taxable lands, such as tribal lands.

Since school districts in Gallup and Zuni either exist on tribal lands or have students who live primarily on tribal land, they should receive more impact aid than districts that receive tax support like in

Gallup McKinley County Schools Superintendent Mike Hyatt. File Photo Albuquerque or Las Cruces.

But complications arise when credits come into play.

The state can take credit or claim a given amount, at which point the state takes about 75 percent of impact aid funds designated for select districts and reduces that amount from the state’s general fund support for those school districts.

T he a mou nt t he st at e claims then is used to calculate the state equalization guarantee funding, or the amount of money distributed to each school district to ensure its operating revenue is at least equal to the school’s program cost.

In past school years, GMCS received about $30 million in federal impact aid. This effectively means the state then reduced its funding for GMCS by about $22.3 million and redistributed this amount to schools across the state.

The disparity, and ensuing controversy, begins when it

becomes apparent the state is claiming much more of the impact aid from rural districts than urban districts.

In 2019, the state ended up claiming about $77.6 million in impact aid. Twenty-nine percent of that figure came from Gallup. Central Consolidated School Di st r ict fol lowed GMCS with $17.4 million, or about 23 percent. Zuni contributed about $5.5 million, or 7 percent. Then Albuquerque contributed $4 million, or 5 percent.

Once the state claims all the impact aid it can, it then redistributes that amount across the state with districts with the highest student need receiving the most aid. Previously, Hyatt said Albuquerque Public Schools, being the largest district in the state, receives the bulk of the aid.

IMPACT AID | SEE PAGE 21

WHAT’S INSIDE …

6 4

HIPAA SUIT Former RMCHCS employee alleges breach of privacy

8

POST OFFICE CHANGES Is your mail being affected?

Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun

K9 RETIREMENT Two police dogs recognized

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER The new executive director discusses her plans

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MOVIE REVIEW Russell Crowe is ‘Unhinged’ behind the wheel

NEWS

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NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

5

HIPAA, defamation complaint fi led against Gallup hospital

By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

F

or mer Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services employee Wi l l ia m Camarota says a leak of his COVID-19 test results has led him to sue his former employer.

A complaint was fi led in the Eleventh Judicial District in

Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher/Editor Babette Herrmann Office Manager Raenona Harvey Accounts Representative Sherry Kauzlarich Associate Editor Beth Blakeman Photography Knifewing Segura Ana Hudgeons Ryan Hudgeons Cable Hoover Correspondent/Editorial Asst.

Cody Begaye Dominic Aragon On the Cover Students, parents and faculty set up new laptop computers during an equipment pickup event at Gallup Middle School Aug 17.

Students will use the laptops for remote lessons through at least Labor Day. Photo by C. Hoover The Gallup Sun, published Fridays, is not responsible or liable for any claims or offerings, nor responsible for availability of products advertised. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Gallup Sun distributes newspapers in McKinley, Cibola and Apache counties.

Office: 102 S. Second St., Gallup, NM 87301 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM. Mailing Address: PO Box 1212 Gallup, NM 87305 www.gallupsun.com Phone: (505) 722-8994 Fax: (505) 212-0391 gallupsun@gmail.com Letter to the editor/guest column ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY. State full name and city/town. No pen names. ID required. All submissions subjected to editor’s approval.

Guest columnists, email Sun for submission requirements.

6

McKinley County Aug. 10 alleging “breach of confidentiality, invasion of privacy, retaliatory discharge, and defamation” against RMCHCS, Inc., Felicia Adams and Dean Adams.

Camarota said while he was employed at RMCHCS he took a COVID-19 test and his test results became widely k now n, which he considers a breach of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

His attorney David Jordan said his client’s status was of utmost importance to him.

“Con f identia lit y wa s important to my client for two reasons,” Jordan told the Gallup Sun Aug. 12. “He did not want his substance abuse clients to be afraid to counsel with him after his 14-day quarantine was over. He was also concerned that the community might think that the WellSpring Recovery Center [a part of RMCHCS], where he

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worked, was a COVID-19 hot zone,” Camarota had a sterling reputation as the 2019 winner of the “Housing for All” award for the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness and for the time that he was president of the Immediate Action Group. The former Director of Behavioral Special Projects at RMCHCS, now feels his standing has been damaged.

In the complaint it states, “Plaintiff was damages(sic)

by Defendant’s breach of confidentiality/invasion of privacy, and he does hereby demand recovery of such damages, including emotional harm, loss of reputation, and general damages.”

T he compla i nt i s a l so asking for relief for his discharge from his position at the hospital.

Camarota said his discharge from his position at RMCHCS was partially-related to events that occurred after his test status was revealed.

RMCHCS Health I n for mat ion Ma na gement Director Dr. Phyllis Miller,

William Camarota. File Photo who performed an investigation of the claim, said she presented her HIPAA violation fi ndings to the hospital board May 23.

Miller told the Sun Aug. 13,

“When it came to Bill, he was not afforded the same rights as anyone else under the HIPAA

HIPAA COMPLAINT | SEE PAGE 16

NEWS

GALLUP HOUSING AUTHORITY PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM

PUBLIC NOTICE The Gallup Housing Authority is pleased to announce the reopening of the Waiting Lists for 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, 4BR and Elderly on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

Obtaining Applications: Applications are available in the Document Containers outside of the Entry door to GHA offices [see Picture] or may be requested at the email address given below.

Individuals are then instructed to place their completed application in a sealed envelope into the Drop Box pictured.

INTAKES will be by Appointment ONLY! Upon receipt of applications the GHA Housing Staff will contact the applicant to set an appointment to conduct the “Intake Process.”

September INTAKE Schedule: [by Appointment Only] Wednesdays - September 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th – 8am to 11am Mondays – September 14th, 21st, and 28th - 1pm to 4pm If you have questions: please call (505) 7224388 during office hours or send an email to: gha.main@galluphousing.com “Masks are required” when at GHA! PUBLIC SAFETY

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

7

Voting in McKinley County HOW WILL IT WORK?

HOW THEY AFFECT NEW MEXICO

By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

I

f the idea of voting in the 2020 Presidentia l Election has you f lustered, Marlene Custer has answers that will help.

Custer, the director of the McKinley County Board of Elections says there are several options for voters in this election.

People concerned about standing in lines in the COVID19 pa ndemic ca n use the mail-in option, which she also calls an absentee ballot.

“There’s only one ballot and they are tabulated the same way,” Custer told the Gallup Sun Aug. 18 “unless you are voting in person.”

Custer says people will be able to vote in person, if they choose. They can go to their regular voting locations

Changes at the post office

V

oting by mail will be the choice for many voters this election season.

In McKinley County that will be possible despite the contentious climate that surrounds the practice in some parts of the country.

Stock Photo to cast their ballots, and will also have the option of visiting Voting Convenience Centers.

Each voting site is now required to be a VCC. The voting convenience centers tailor each person’s ballot combination based on their specific district.

“Anybody can vote anywhere, w it h i n you r ow n county,” she said.

Early voting begins Oct. 6.

If someone applies for a

Center where he works. That is also where the sorting machines are located.

Spurgeon told the Gallup Sun Aug. 18 that two sorting machines have been powered down at the processing center.

A delivery barcode sorter like the one pictured above, has a maximum processing capacity of 36K mail pieces

mail-in/absentee ballot and goes to a polling place to vote in-person, the absentee ballot must be deleted before they can cast a vote at an in-person location.

N AVA J O N AT I O N VOTING SITES Custer says the bureau of elections is currently working with the Navajo Nation, the

VOTING | SEE PAGE 16

A barcode sorter used by the U.S. postal service organizes mail in carrier walk sequence. It allows carriers to quickly take mail to the street once it arrives at their offices. Stock Photo USPS Communications Specialist Rod Spurgeon said all letter mail in New Mexico gets processed in a single place — at the Albuquerque Processing and Distribution

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Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun

per hour.

“If we need the capacity of the machines we’re not using,

POST OFFICE | SEE PAGE 18

NEWS

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Conduct Public Online Webinars for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Holtec Hi-Store Consolidated Interim Storage Facility The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will conduct public meetings via webinar soliciting comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Holtec International’s (Holtec) proposed Consolidated Interim Storage Facility (CISF) for spent nuclear fuel in Lea County, New Mexico. The draft EIS evaluates potential environmental impacts of Holtec’s request to build and operate the proposed CISF. The public meeting webinars will be accessible to the public by navigating, on the day and time of the meeting, to the internet link below and entering the event number and password associated with the date of the webinar when prompted.

Telephone access will be required for the audio portion of the meetings and is available by dialing the telephone number and entering the passcode provided below. The NRC staff will present the results of the draft environmental impact analysis and receive the public’s comments on the draft report. The NRC invites members of the public to attend the public meeting webinars and to present oral comments on the draft EIS.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020 – 12:00 noon MT Webinar Event address: https://usnrc.webex.com/ Event number: 199 973 2733 Event password: HOLTEC

Telephone access Phone number: 888-566-6509 Passcode: 1904459

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 – 4:00 pm MT Webinar Event address: https://usnrc.webex.com/ Event number: 199 278 6216 Event password: HOLTEC

Telephone access Phone number: 888-566-6509 Passcode: 1904459

Wednesday, September 2, 2020 – 9:00 am MT Webinar Event address: https://usnrc.webex.com/ Event number: 199 183 5099 Event password: HOLTEC

Telephone access Phone number: 888-566-6509 Passcode: 1904459 The public may also submit written comments on the draft EIS before September 22, 2020. A notice published in the Federal Register (FR) on April 27, 2020 (85 FR 23382; https://www.federalregister.gov/), announced the availability of the NRC’s draft EIS and provided instructions for submitting written comments.

The draft EIS can be found on the NRC public webpage for the Holtec CISF license application at https://www.nrc.gov/ waste/spent-fuel-storage/cis/holtec-international.html. If you do not have internet access, contact the NRC Public Document Room at 800-397-4209 for assistance. Questions regarding the draft EIS should be directed to Jill Caverly at 301-415-7674 or at Jill.Caverly@nrc.gov.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

9

County discusses designated polling locations, voting convenience centers

By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

T

he McKinley Cou nt y B oa r d of Commissioners discussed a resolution about the locations of Election Day polling places for all upcoming statewide elections during their Aug. 18 meeting.

McKinley County Bureau of Elections Manager Marlene Custer spoke about the item.

“This resolution makes it so the [voting center at] Thoreau Fire Station will be moving to the Thoreau Public Safety Building,” Custer said. “And then all the rural precincts will be designated a voting convenience center.”

The next step is to ensure these voting locations have the capability to allow people to securely vote on Election Day. “We are testing all of the sites now, like the Navajo Na t ion ch a pt er s a nd a l l the rural precincts within

McKinley County for internet capability, and most of them are checking out good,” Custer said. “But if they don’t check out [for internet access] in one of these precincts, they are going to stay traditional with a regular ballot.”

Com m i s sioner Tom my Nelson said he thinks the Navajo Nation may have problems, including technical errors, with the general election and the various chapters, and asked Custer to look into the issue.

Custer said the Bureau of Elections has been meeting with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, the Navajo Nation Election Office, and the Navajo Nation Office of Community Development to make sure complications don’t crop up. The county is having weekly meetings with the Navajo Nation.

“We know they’re going to have an election and they’re working with us on these locations,” Custer said. “So far,

everything is looking good. We are making progress right now with the Navajo Nation.”

Cou nt y Attor ney Doug Decker reiterated since each voting location is going to act as a voter convenience center, that means those buildings have to have internet connectivity because of Senate Bill 4 in the June special session.

“The Bureau of Elections is testing in each site for internet access, and if they don’t have that capability, the Senate Bill mandates they don’t close or consolidate any precinct on any reservation or pueblo unless we have a written agreement with the nation that says we can close it and they want us to close it,” Decker said.

Decker said if it turns out there is no connectivity at any of the voting locations, the commission will be presented with another resolution before the election to change it to a regular voting precinct instead of a voting convenience center.

McKinley County Attorney Doug Decker. File Photo

“We are going to continue with the weekly meetings with the Navajo Nation as mentioned before, and we are working well to get this thing accomplished,” Decker said.

The county approved the resolution to designate the

Thoreau Public Safety Building to be the new voting precinct location instead of Thoreau Fire Station, and for the voting locations in rural precincts to be changed into Voting Convenience Centers with a 3-0 vote.

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Reuniones Pública En Línea de la Comisión Reguladora Nuclear sobre el Borrador de la Declaración de Impacto Ambiental de la Solicitud de Holtec para una Instalación de Almacenaje de Combustible Nuclear Usado La Comisión Reguladora Nuclear de los Estados Unidos (Nuclear Regulatory Commission, en inglés, ó NRC, por sus siglas en inglés) llevará a cabo unas reuniones públicas en línea a través de la Web (webinars, en inglés) para recibir comentarios del público sobre el borrador de la Declaración de Impacto Ambiental (Environmental Impact Statement, en inglés, ó EIS, por sus siglas en inglés) acerca de la solicitud de Holtec International ó Holtec para la construcción y operación de una instalación de almacenaje en seco (consolidated interim storage facility, en inglés, ó CISF, por sus siglas en inglés) de combustible nuclear usado en el Condado de Lea en Nuevo Méjico. El borrador del EIS evalúa efectos al medio ambiente de la construcción y operación de la CISF. Las reuniones públicas en línea serán accesibles al público, en el día y la hora de la reunión pública, utilizando los enlaces provisto más abajo y escribiendo el número del evento asociado a la fecha de la reunión. También se proveerá acceso a través de una línea telefónica marcando el número que se provee más abajo y luego marcando la contraseña (passcode, en inglés) provista. La NRC discutirá los resultados del borrador del EIS y recibirá comentarios del público. La NRC invita a todo el público a participar de estas reuniones públicas en línea y a proveer comentarios sobre el borrador del EIS durante las mismas.

Martes 25 de agosto del 2020 – 12:00 pm MT (2:00 pm ET) Reunión En Línea (Webinar) Acceda: https://usnrc.webex.com/ Número del Evento: 199 973 2733 Contraseña (password): HOLTEC

Línea Telefónica Número Telefónico: 888-566-6509 Contraseña (passcode): 1904459

Miércoles 26 de agosto del 2020 – 4:00 pm MT (6:00 pm ET) Reunión En Línea (Webinar) Acceda: https://usnrc.webex.com/ Número del Evento: 199 278 6216 Contraseña (password): HOLTEC

Línea Telefónica Número Telefónico: 888-566-6509 Contraseña (passcode): 1904459

Miércoles 2 de septiembre del 2020 – 9:00 am MT (11:00 am ET) Reunión En Línea (Webinar) Acceda: https://usnrc.webex.com/ Número del Evento: 199 183 5099 Contraseña (password): HOLTEC

Línea Telefónica Phone number: 888-566-6509 Contraseña (passcode): 1904459 El público también puede proveer comentarios por escrito. Se publicó un aviso en el Registro Federal (Federal Register, en inglés) el 27 de abril del 2020 (85 FR 23382; acceda: https://www.federalregister.gov/) anunciando la disponibilidad del borrador del EIS, y las instrucciones sobre cómo someter comentarios por escrito.

Puede acceder el borrador del EIS a través de la página de Web de la NRC dedicada a la solicitud de Holtec utilizando el siguiente enlace https://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-storage/cis/holtec-international.html. Si no tiene acceso al internet puede llamar a la NRC (Public Document Room) al 800-397-4209 para ayuda. Las preguntas sobre el borrador del EIS deben dirigirse a Jill Caverly al 301-415-7674 o por correo electrónico a Jill.Caverly@nrc.gov.

INDIAN COUNTRY

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

11

NEWS

PUBLIC SAFETY

Eight years snifďŹ ng for dope K9 OFFICER RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE

By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

T

h e Ga l lup Pol ice Department recently recognized an officer who had served with the force for eight years as he headed off to retirement.

That officer was Nero, a Belgian Malinois who had served in the department’s K9 program, alongside Detective John Gonzalez.

More than 20 people showed up at a ceremony Aug. 14 where Nero and Gonzalez were recognized and where Nero was officially retired.

Ga l lup Sg t . Ter r a nce Peyketewa spoke with the Sun Aug. 19 about the ceremony and Nero’s history with the department. “K9 officers [like Nero] are used mostly to locate persons or items,� Peyketewa said. “They are trained to detect when a person

well as patrol services. “[Nero] was also capable of doing high-risk traffic stops as well, such as high-risk incidents where his presence alone could de-escalate a situation,�

Peyketewa said.

When asked about Nero’s accomplishments, Peyketewa recalled one narcotics incident during which Nero and Gonzalez were involved in a drug seizure. “That case and their presence and actions resulted in over 300 pounds of marijuana being seized,� Peyketewa said. “There was also one incident where

there was a man with a gun and a shotgun in his vehicle. The suspect failed to comply and Nero went and neutralized the scene.�

No officers were harmed in that case even though the suspect was armed, he added.

Peyketewa said the next step is to find his successor and keep the K9 program going. “Hopefully we’ll get the new dog in place [by the fall] so we can get the program back up to speed,� he said.

Nero will be turned over to the care of his handler Det. John Gonzales and his family.

NERO Gallup Police Sgt. Terrance Peyketewa stands with Det. John Gonzales and his K9 oďŹƒcer, Nero, after a recognition and retirement ceremony for Nero on Aug. 14. Nero had served eight years in narcotics and patrol with the department. Photo Credit: GPD

is fleeing so we can utilize a K9’s nose to find people in a specific area or building.�

Peyketewa said Nero was certified in narcotics work, so they had him working traffic stops as

Gallup Police Det. John Gonzales, right, receives a plaque from Sgt. Terrance Peyketewa at a retirement ceremony for K-9 oďŹƒcer Ace at the Gallup Police Department in Gallup, Aug. 14. Photo Credit: Cable Hoover

ACE

Gallup Police Det. John Gonzales pets K-9 oďŹƒcer Ace during Ace’s retirement ceremony at the Gallup Police Department in Gallup, Aug. 14. Photo Credit: Cable Hoover

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Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun

PUBLIC SAFETY

WEEKLY DWI REPORT Staff Reports McKenzie Begay Aug. 5, 6:20 pm Aggravated DWI McKinley County Sheriff’s Sg t . Ta m my Houg ht a l i ng wa s t ravel i ng ea stbou nd on Highway 118 when she obser ved a si lver Chev y

headed west at a high rate of speed, about 56 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone. She turned around and began to follow the car.

After turning north onto County Road 5, Houghtaling conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, McKenzie Begay, 33, of Window

Rock, Ariz. He handed over his insurance, registration and driver’s license. Then he said he was sorry for speeding.

Houghtaling noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. She also noticed a passenger in the car.

As Begay exited the vehicle, Houghtaling noticed signs he was intoxicated. He also urinated on himself, saying there were too many people in line for the restroom at a nearby gas

Weekly Police Activity Reports Staff Reports HIGH-SPEED PURSUIT Gallup, Aug. 6 While on patrol near the intersection of Crestview Road and Highway 66, McKinley Cou nt y Sher i f f ’s Deput y Brandon Salazar obser ved F r a n k l i n Wa r ren , 4 5, of Gamerco, driving a motorcycle. Salazar said he recognized it by its color and knew Warren had a suspended license. He attempted a traffic stop.

The suspect then

accelerated as he traveled westward, even passing a vehicle in the opposite lane.

S a l a z a r a d v i s e d D e pu t y Johnson Lee if the suspect continued to travel west past his residence he would cancel the pursuit.

Warren did keep traveling westbound, so the pursuit was called off. Salazar suspected Warren had exceeded 130 mph as he fled.

An arrest warrant will be drafted for Warren on charges of aggravated f leeing and

driving with a suspended or revoked license.

WEED BUST Gamerco, Aug. 5 McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnson Lee was monitoring traffic on South Chino Loop when he observed a vehicle traveling 38 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone. He began following the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop south of the Gamerco Trail Head.

Lee made contact with the driver, Max Milan Mataya,

station.

Begay told Houghtaling that the alcohol she smelled on him was hand sanitizer.

Houghtaling said it was a different kind of alcohol.

Begay agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests.

He admitted he had one beer earlier, and insisted he was not drunk and could drive. He failed the tests and was placed under a r rest. Mea nwhile, Deputy Terrance Willie arrived

to secure the passenger.

Houghtaling transported Begay to the sheriff’s office for the breath test, where he posted samples of .15 and .16.

Begay was then transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center for a blood draw.

A f ter wa rd, Begay wa s booked into McKinley County Adult Detention Center for charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated and speeding.

20, of Gamerco, and asked for his license and registration. As Mataya presented the requested papers, Lee noted the vehicle had the smell of what he suspected was raw marijuana coming from inside.

Deputy Brandon Salazar arrived on scene to write up the citation for Mataya while Lee confirmed the vehicle identification number. Lee then had his K9 officer sniff the area around the vehicle.

Mataya admitted there were two grams of marijuana inside the vehicle and that he did not have a medical marijuana card.

Mataya said the car was not

his and refused to let the deputy search it.

After his mother arrived a nd spoke w it h her son, Mataya let deputies proceed with the search. They found a large bag fi lled with a leafy green substance in the back seat, later confirmed to be marijuana.

Capt. Rocky Klein advised Lee to release Mataya until the amount of marijuana could be confi rmed. The deputies took the marijuana back to the sheriff’s office to weigh it. It turned out to be just over 16 ounces.

An arrest warrant will be applied for.

Man assaults peace ofďŹ cer Staff Reports

M

cK inley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Sh i rley was dispatched to a house on North Ola Drive in Yah-ta-hey after receiving a report of a dispute on Aug. 7.

Sh i rley a r r ived at t he scene about 4:40 pm and spotted the suspect, identified as Myron Lee, 30, of Yah-ta-hey,

exiting the residence. A s Shirley exited his unit, he said Lee began to approach him in an aggressive manner with his arms raised. Shirley told Lee to calm down, but he continued to shout and walk toward him.

Deputy Frank Villa arrived on scene, and Lee turned and

ASSAULT | SEE PAGE 21

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13

Navajo leader, veteran Earnest C. Becenti, Sr. honored

COMPUTER’S ON | FROM PAGE 1

FLAGS WERE FLOWN AT HALF STAFF Staff Reports

W

INDOW ROCK, Ariz.— Navajo Nation President Jon a t h a n Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer issued a proclamation calling for flags on the Nation to be flown at half-staff Aug. 19, in honor and memory of Earnest C. Becenti, Sr., who died on Aug. 16.

“As we mourn the loss of Earnest C. Becenti, Sr., we also honor and remember all his great sacrifices and services he provided for his Navajo people. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues as they lay him to rest today [Aug. 19],” Nez said.

Earnest was born on March 9, 1925, and was a community member of Church Rock, N.M. He was married for 69 years to his wife, Mary Becenti, who passed in 2016.

Earnest enlisted with the U.S. Army on Aug. 11, 1943,

The late Earnest C. Becenti, Sr., Navajo leader, veteran, who died Aug. 16 was remembered with a proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-staff on Aug. 19. Photo Credit: OPVP and was honorably discharged on Nov. 28, 1945 with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.

A f ter h i s ser v ice, he ret u r ned t o t he Nav a jo Nation where he served as a Chapter Official for 33 years,

an Eastern Navajo Agency Council President for 23 years, a McKinley County School Board member for 27 years, a McKinley County Commissioner for 16 years, pa r t of the New Mex ico Mounted Patrol for 14 years, and was a traditional medicine man for over 56 years. Earnest also retired after 37 years of federal service.

“We thank God for the life of Earnest C. Becenti, Sr. In every aspect of his life, he was a loving and compassionate person who cared greatly for his people. We ask all of our Navajo people to keep his spirit and family in your prayers,” Lizer said.

Su r v ivor s i nclude h is children, Earnest Becenti, Jr., Helena Becenti, and Julia Cooke, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for took place on Aug. 19, at 10:00 am at Gallup Veterans Cemetery.

School faculty and staff hand out boxes of school equipment and supplies at drive-thru pickup line at JFK Middle School in Gallup Aug. 17. Photo Credit: Cable Hoover

Setting up new laptop computers at Gallup Middle School Aug. 17 are, from left: Katherine Skeets, Kenry Boyd, Katie Boyd and Kenry Boyd Jr. Photo Credit: Cable Hoover

''A Tradition'' • A Gallup tradition with over 100 years of dedicated service.

Now under new ownership, the Rollie legacy continues; providing the facilities and conveniences that serve families best with dignity, integrity and understanding.

Assistant principal Vern Via helps incoming sixth-grader Jedadiah Begay and his mother, Rhonda Williams set up a new laptop computer during an equipment pickup event at Gallup Middle School Aug. 17. Students will use the laptops for remote lessons through at least Labor Day. Photo Credit: Cable Hoover

• Rollie Mortuary offers package pricing, accepts Navajo Nation Social Service packages and can assist families with pre-need planning and set up.

• Rollie Mortuary offers a genuine desire to be of assistance to you and your family in this time of need.

401 E. Nizhoni Blvd.

Gallup, NM 87301 (505) 863-4452 14

Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Parents and students fill out registration paperwork at socially distanced tables inside the gymnasium at Gallup Middle School Aug. 17. Photo Credit: Cable Hoover NEWS

NEWS

HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

New Mexico Environmental Law Centers gets new executive director PLANS TO INCORPORATE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION

By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

T

he New Mex ico Environmental Law Center ha s a new executive director.

Dr. Virginia Necochea, who started Aug. 1, will be maintaining relationships with staff, community, the center board, funders, and donors, among other things.

Necochea, who hails from southeast Los Angeles, and has Mexican indigenous ancestry, moved to New Mexico in 1998 for a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies at the University of New Mexico.

There she found herself drawn to engage in water protection and acequias in her new community.

Acequias are irrigation

canals that serve the Southwest and were traditionally used in Spain and the former Spanish colonies in the Americas.

A s s he b e c a me mor e attached to her new home, Necochea laid down roots and developed a very close connection to the Tsayatoh Chapter, where she attends

NECOCHEA | SEE PAGE 18

Dr. Virginia Necochea, the new executive director for the New Mexico Environmental Law Center visits the Rio Grande Bosque in fall 2019. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Necochea family

Dr. Virginia Necochea poses at the entrance to the Sundowner Community Center in early 2020. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Necochea family

Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World

By Steve Newman

Week ending Friday, August 14, 2020 Arctic Losses Arctic Canada’s last f u lly i ntact ice shel f lo s t mor e t h a n 4 0 % of its enti re a rea on Ellesmere Island during just two days in late July, shocking officials.

A c hu n k m e a s u r i n g about 100 square miles, larger than the island of Ma n hat t a n, broke off between July 30 and July 31. “Above-normal air temperatures, offshore winds and open water in front of the ice shelf are all part of the recipe for ice shelf breakup,” the Canadian Ice Service announced on Twitter. The intense heat around the North Pole this summer has a l s o melt e d s e a ice around the Arctic Ocean to its lowest extent on record.

Earthquakes North Carolina’s most powerful temblor since 1916 damaged more than 100 buildings as it rattled the eastern U.S. • A strong q u a ke c a u s e d s ome buildings to collapse in northeastern Algeria.

• Earth movements were also felt in southeastern Turkey, western Iran, eastern India, central New Zealand and Hawaii.

+121° Death Valley.

California

4.9

5.1

4.6

Jangmi

Mekkhala

4.9

4.2

3.8

Elida

Weakening Current The strength of the Florida Current, which ma rks the begin ning of the Gulf Stream, has weakened in force to the lowest level of the past 110 years, according to new resea rch.

T he cu r rent f lows between F lor ida a nd Cuba before becoming the Gulf Stream near t he Ba ha ma s. W h i le precise measurements of the current go back to only the early 1980s, scientists say they were able to determine its past strength by how it affected coastal sea levels in the region. The study confirms earlier findings that show the A t l a nt ic Me r id io n a l Overturning Circulation is slowing down due to climate change.

That complex of currents wields a key warmi ng i n f luence acros s the Atlantic to much of northern Europe.

HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

4.7

Tropical Cyclones

Squatters Rights The grow i ng nu mb e r of b e a ve r s t h a t have been making England’s River Otter their home since they began returning a few yea r s a go have been told by off icia ls that they can stay. It’s the f i r st t i me a ma m ma l extinct in England has been given government backing to be reintroduce d . E nv i r on ment minister Rebecca Pow said that going forward, the dam-builders will be considered a “public good” and that farmers and landowners would be pa id to have them on t hei r la nd. T here a r e n o w 15 b e a v e r fa milies liv ing in the w a t e r w a y, b u i l d i n g complex homes known as lodges.

Typhoon Mekkhala buffeted China’s Fujian Province after strengthening to Category-1 force while mov ing a shore from the South China Sea. • Flash floods triggered by passing Tropical Stor m Ja ngmi left at least 42 people dead and 7,000 people displaced in South Korea.

• Hu r r ica ne Elida churned the Pacific well off the coast of Mexico.

Name That Heat

-101° South Pole, A lead- Antarctica ing expert in heat-related deaths is calling on officials to begin na ming the increased number of heat waves to draw attention to the deepening climate crisis. “People do not understand this risk and we need to change that,”

The massive ice shelf collapse on Arctic Canada’s Ellesmere Island also destroyed the Northern Hemisphere’s only known epishelf lake, a body of fresh water that is dammed by an ice shelf and floats atop ocean water.

Image: Planet Labs Inc.

said Kathy Baughman McL eod, d i rector of t he Ad r ien ne A r shtRockefeller Foundation Resilience Center. The proposal is backed by the Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance, a new coalition of dozens of mayors in major cities and insurance officials, as well as health, global heating and policy experts worldwide.

The coalition says assigning heat waves names like hurricanes, along with their level of risk, could demonstrate the scale of the threat that climate change poses.

Sumatran Eruption Crops and villages surrounding I ndone sia’s Sinabung volcano were blanketed by thick ash after the mountain spewed a column of debris more than 16,000 feet above Sumatra. The restive volcano produced t wo power f u l bla st s within three days, resulting in some cross losses in the fer tile region.

Sinabung had been inactive for centuries before it roared back to life in 2010.

It has since produced several notable eruptions.

Dist. by: Andrews McMeel Syndication ©MMXX Earth Environment Service

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

15

HIPAA COMPLAINT | FROM PAGE 6 privacy law. His health information should not have been shared with others and it was.”

Camarota said that in addition to his COVID-19 status there were other reasons for his dismissal from the hospital.

“I really do feel that my termination was a retaliation for

VOTING | FROM PAGE 8 Department of Justice, the election office and the Division of Community Development to determine how voting will take place on Navajo Nation sites.

supporting Dave Conejo,” he said.

No specified monetar y damage award is listed in the complaint.

Felicia Adams and RMCHCS were contacted about this story.

There was no response by press time.

STA F F CH A NG ES CONTINUE AT RMCHCS

Meanwhile, personnel turnover continues at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services.

RMCHCS now has two people working in the CEO capacity.

Mary Bevier, who moved into the position as interim CEO from her spot as Chief Financial Officer when David Conejo was fired June 11, is being joined by

Steve McKernan.

McKernan’s title is acting CEO. McKer nan was CFO at University of New Mexico Hospital for nearly eight years prior to serving as CEO for 21 years. He is now with MARKA Strategic Financial Services, where he has worked part-time since January 2018, according to his LinkedIn site.

While RMCHCS works out the issues that come with having both an interim CEO and an acting short-term CEO, it will also be losing its COO, Michael Nye. Nye was named COO April 27. Lisa Lovato in the CEO’s office said Nye’s resignation is effective Aug. 31.

Nye’s replacement has not been announced.

They are meeting weekly.

Testing for internet connectivity is underway on the Navajo Nation. Final determinations will be left to the tribe.

“So far we know that every site is going to be open,” she said.

“There are two sites that have

issues — Mariana Lake Chapter is going to be demolished Aug. 25, [so] that may be moved.

“Smith Lake Chapter has a food distribution warehouse,” Custer explained. “Efforts are underway to fi nd a senior center or veterans association, so

people can vote nearby.”

Custer expects to know where all the Navajo Nation voting sites will be located within two weeks.

A n y o n e wh o h a s n’ t received a mail-in ballot application by now, can

call (505) 722-4469 or (800) 245-1771, request one online at sos.state.nm.us, or visit the office at the McKinley County Courthouse (207 W. Hill Ave.) Monday - Friday between 8 am - 12 pm and 1 pm-5 pm.

Navajo Nation approves CARES Act funds for numerous projects Staff Reports

W

INDOW ROCK, A r iz. – Nava jo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer approved over $475 million in CARES Act funding for water line projects, power line projects, solar power projects, internet access to remote areas, business assistance, and more resources to help the Navajo people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nez-Lizer Administration approved the following funds in Resolution CJY-67-20: - $130 m i l l ion for t he Navajo Department of Water Resources for water projects, including waterline and cistern projects, water hauling, windmill repairs, water well infrastructure, earthen dams, and irrigation projects, which ensures that the Navajo people have access to adequate and safe water to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

- $44.2 million for powerline projects, including power line capital projects and electrical line extensions, to ensure that Navajo homes and facilities have access to electricity sufficient to comply with Centers for Disease Control a nd Prevention COV ID -19 guidelines.

- $53.2 million for telecommunication and broadband expansion projects for schools, higher educational institutions, and public facilities, to ensure Navajo students, educators, a nd employees have ade quate broadband access and

16

telecommunication capacity while complying with “Safe at Home” public health orders and can communicate with public safety, healthcare, and education.

- $35.1 million for solar projects for Navajo homes within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation to ensure that they have access to electricity to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

-$1,000 for hardship assistance to help Navajo individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

- $828,637 for parks and recreation, including vendors and others, who experienced negative economic impacts from the pandemic.

- $42.1 million for payroll support pay expenses eligible under the U.S. Treasury guidance.

- $24.6 million for Navajo Ga m i ng Ent er pr i se, who employ over 1,100 Navajo citizens, to avoid lay-offs, loss of healthcare insurance, and to sustain business operations.

- $9.6 million for the Judicial Branch to continue court services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

- $60 million for Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development to provide recovery and assistance for Navajo businesses and entrepreneurs, who were impacted by the public health emergency.

- $75.8 million for Navajo Department of Health to continue to provide COVID-19 related health care services, such as vaccinations, testing, alternative care services, traditional and faith based services, and others, for the Navajo

Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun

people.

“In the review of the funds provided in CJY-67-20, we considered the purposes of the projects, the timeframe to complete each project, the readiness of the projects, and all the requirements necessary to carry out successful projects,” Nez said. “Most importantly, the allocations have to comply with the federal CARES Act law and have to be expended

by Dec. 30, as required by the U.S. Treasury.

“Through the teachings of K’é (kinship), Nitsáhákees (thinking), Nahat’á (planning), Iiná (life), and Sihasin (stability of restoration of balance and harmony through reflection), we can help each other to overcome any obstacle to restore Hozhó, balance, and harmony,” Nez said.

With the input from many experts in the field and discussions of how to refi ne the plan, several portions were reduced, such as the following: - The BroadbandTelecommunications Projects were decreased by $15,000,000 for non-tribal owned Eligible Telecommunications Carriers.

- T h e S ol a r P r oj e c t s were reduced by $34,103,910 appropriated to the Native Renewables company. There will be a new proposal for the initiative.

- Striking $23,973,000 for solid waste projects across the Navajo Nation.

- St r i k i ng $4 8,8 0 3,592 for payroll expenditures for the period after July 1, this includes the 4th Quarter of the Fiscal Year 2020, and from Oct. 1 to Dec. 30, this consists of the

1st Quarter of the Fiscal Year 2021.

- Striking $33,423,914 for housing and housing improvement projects.

- St r i k i ng $2 0,0 0 8,79 8 to address additiona l Administration and compliance of CARES Act funds.

“The approval is a big win for the Nation. Our focus has to remain on those who need the funding the most, including our Navajo families, elders, and vulnerable individuals,” Nez said. “We commend the 24th Navajo Nation Council for their long hours of dedication, discussions, and hard work to move the legislation through the process.”

The total approved funding of $476,666,192 represents approximately 72% approval of appropr iated a mounts.

The remaining amount of $175,313,214, along with the previous balance of $1,150,000.37 of the CARES Fund, provides $176,463,214.37 to create a second phase appropriation that

will provide direct relief services to the Navajo people.

Nez and Lizer stated that the second phase appropriation proposed plan would focus on immediate fi nancial relief for Navajo individuals, families, and communities impacted by the pandemic. The proposal will include college student relief, hardship assistance for students, emergency assistance for Navajo members, elders and vulnerable individuals, propane and natural gas services for elders, immediate internet connectivity for families, additional solar projects, housing initiatives, and many more.

“As we visited all 110 communities within the Navajo Nation, we heard the challenges and pleas of our Navajo people. The coronavirus has emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially impacted many families. Therefore, we continue to develop plans that will directly help our people,” Lizer said.

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OPINIONS

Lender’s loyalty sustains business growth for disabled vet MEET 2020’S VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

By Sandy Nelson Finance New Mexico project

R

on Edwards knew he would start his own business one day, but the path to launching Santa Fe’s Focus Advertising Specialties was paved with a variety of jobs and small-business ventures.

The most influential of his early occupations was his overseas service in the Marines, Edwards said. Thirteen weeks in basic training and four years in the military “challenged me in different ways,” he said. “I learned that I can go further than I think I can.”

Working within fi xed budgets also taught Edwards how to keep operations tight.

Those lessons in endurance and efficiency prepared him for the challenges of civilian life.

Edwards started a wood-finishing business and restaurant in Crested Butte, Colo., and then

moved to New Mexico. After suffering a debilitating back injury at a construction site in 2002, his days of working physically demanding jobs were over.

Three years later, Edwards and his wife, Kathryn, opened Focus Advertising to design and produce promotional products and logos for businesses, nonprofits, organizations and individuals. “We are in this to add value to your company,” he said. “We make products that have use and value — that people will remember you by. That (product) is your unspoken approach to a person’s life, so it better have quality.”

Clients can bring their own logos and artwork for the products they want inscribed, or Edwards and his crew can produce or refi ne the artwork in house and send it to a vendor for finishing. This process takes weeks off the turnaround time typically involved in ordering directly from product vendors, he said.

Ron Edwards, a disabled vet, opens his owns business: Focus Advertising Specialties in Santa Fe. Photo Credit: Finance NM A s the business grew, Edwards needed capital to expand. In 2007, he approached a Santa Fe bank for a loan, but was told his business was too young and untested and had no inventory to put up for collateral.

The bank urged Edwards to contact The Loan Fund and helped set up a meeting with a loan officer from the nonprofit organization. Edwards secured a short-term loan and paid it

back on time. It would be the fi rst of several loans that The Loan Fund extended to support Focus Advertising’s multiple expansions.

“They’ve always been there for us,” Edwards said of The Loan Fund. “We love doing business with them; they are like a family.”

Business grew steadily until 2018, when it boomed for a year.

“We grew 33 percent that year,” Edwards said. “But we lost a lot of business in the last six months with the pandemic.”

The couple recently started a new company to produce biodegradable sanitary products for people with mobility limits, no permanent home, or concerns about using public restrooms.

This innovation ties in with another of Edwards’ longtime passions: helping homeless veterans. In 2007, the entrepreneur, who is also a jazz pianist, wrote a song to highlight the problem, and two years later he performed “You Have

Forgotten Me” at the Veterans Administration Stand Down event in Santa Fe. In September, Edwards will receive the “2020 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year” award from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New Mexico District Office.

To learn more about Focus Advertising, go to focusadonline.com/ The Loan Fund is a nonprofit community development financial institution that serves small businesses in New Mexico. This year alone, The Loan Fund has provided nearly $6 million in loans to New Mexico businesses that have created or preserved more than 500 jobs.

Visit loanfund.org/ for more information.

The Finance New Mexico pro ject conn ect s in dividuals and businesses with skills and funding resources for their business or idea. To learn more, go to FinanceNewMexico.org.

Our system is socialism for the rich, the powerful, the privileged PART ONE OF TWO

By Mike Daly Guest Columnist

T

he New Mexico in Depth article about dark money in New Mexico really misses

OPINIONS

the mark [7/31]. It’s not surprising. This is such a long standing issue that many don’t recognize the extent of the problem.

Congress saw the problem with money in politics long ago and passed the Federal

Election Campaign Act of 1971. But in 1976 the Supreme Court [Buckley v. Valeo] nullified the legislation, holding that by setting limits on election spending the act was unconstitutional. The fi rst to exploit this were political operatives Paul Ma na for t a nd Roger Stone [both of whom decades later became two of the eight conv icted felons for their work with President Trump].

They saw the weakness in the court decision and saw how to exploit it.

Thus began the tsunami of money in politics. They understood the vulnerabilities in our system and took advantage of them to maximum effect. As a result since that time money has become the penicillin resistant syphilis of American politics. The USA has always been about business, but this broke the scale.

Since that time business and other influences have virtually stolen the country from

Mike Daly. File Photo the electorate.

New Mex ico i n Dept h wants to call out Teresa Leger Fernandez, candidate for congress, for this mess. Good luck.

She is a victim of the system as much as the rest of us. It is virtually impossible to run for Congress with less than $1 million.

Ms. Fernandez has spent her life assisting people in Northern New Mexico and it appears she has a heartfelt desire to help. But, assuming she wins her seat in congress, she will be faced with the same problem every officeholder has

– getting $ for reelection. That typically means 6 hours a day on the telephone begging for money. For how long can good intentions not be corrupted by a need for cash?

This is not to condemn our office holders. Many, if not most, are working on our behalf, but there are so many dollars available the needs of constituents often get pushed aside.

The public knows there is financial corruption and yet is seemingly powerless to stop it. Federal Corruption is a key issue voters say [WSJ 9/25/2018]. 77% of registered voters polled in a WSJ/NBC News poll said that “reducing the influence of special interests and corruption in Washington” is an important issue facing the country. A New Mexico Common Cause

DARK MONEY RESPONSE | SEE PAGE 21

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

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NECOCHEA | FROM PAGE 15 DinĂŠ ceremonies.

That relationship led her to a commitment to environmental justice.

Environmental injustice, sometimes referred to as environmental racism, is demonstrated when toxic materials, chemicals environmental hazards and waste are dumped or stored in poor and marginalized communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Environmental injustices play a key role in why DinĂŠ communities have been the hardest hit [by COVID-19],â&#x20AC;? she told the Gallup Sun Aug

POST OFFICE | FROM PAGE 8 we can certainly turn them back on, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re only using about half the processing capacity we have,â&#x20AC;? Spurgeon said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mail volume has plunged in the last 20 years, dropping from 103.5 billion pieces of First-Class Mail in 2000 to 54.9 billion pieces in 2019.â&#x20AC;?

On the subject of collection boxes, Spu rgeon said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;collection boxes havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been removed in New Mexico.â&#x20AC;?

Nationally, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who was criticized by postal officials in several states for banning overtime, removing collection boxes, and decommissioning sorting equipment, stated Aug. 18 that he would pause plans to change mail services until after the 2020 Presidential Election. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Postal Ser vice is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall,â&#x20AC;? DeJoy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śwe will deliver the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election mail on time and within our well-established service standards.

The American public should know that this is our number one priority between now and election day.â&#x20AC;?

18. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The injustices that communities in that area have been facing for decades â&#x20AC;Ś to me it is no coincidence why the Navajo Nation is the hardest hit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That weighs in my heart and mind. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an injustice.â&#x20AC;?

Her commitment to ensuring protection of urban and sem i-u rba n a cequ ia s a nd getting the community reconnected to the acequia environment led her to create CESOSS, Center for Social Sustainable Systems. Necochea was a founding board member of CESOSS, wh ich wa s desig ned to

become a hub for the community in the South Valley of Albuquerque and the larger Middle Rio Grande Region. It works to protect historical acequias, water, and land.

Now, t h roug h N M ELC, she is tak ing her mission and work to protect Mother Ear th a nd indigenous traditions and cultures, to the most historically marginalized communities across the state.

NMELC ser ves what Necochea calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;front line communities.â&#x20AC;? She descr ibes t hem a s â&#x20AC;&#x153;low income, communities of color â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the communities

most [markedly] impacted by environmental injustices and environmental racism, because they are exposed to air pollutants, and toxins in the land and in the water.â&#x20AC;?

Necochea said that one of the ways she wants to impact NMELC is by incorporating â&#x20AC;&#x153;DEIâ&#x20AC;? into the centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.

W hen a sked wh at DEI means, she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;DEI stands for Diversit y, Equ it y, a nd Inclusion.â&#x20AC;?

She went on to explain it is a movement of core values embraced by the National Council of Nonprofits. Necochea said she will work to be sure equity issues

are at the forefront of the NMELCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. Could this mean the center w ill take on different cases as a result of incorporating DEI? Necochea said that is a possibility. She empha sized that she wants the communities served by NMELC to have a seat at the table. â&#x20AC;&#x153; T heyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re t he ones t hat should be part of the decision-ma k i ng processes of our organizations,â&#x20AC;? she said.

She wants to make sure â&#x20AC;&#x153;that their voices are being heard and they set the direction of the words of the NMELC.â&#x20AC;?

DeJoy said that until the election is concluded: 1) Retail hours at post offices will not change.

2) Mail processing equipment a nd blue collection boxes will remain where they

are.

3) No mail processing facilities will be closed.

4) Overtime will continue to be approved as needed.

D e Joy, w ho t o ok t he reins on June 16, added that

effective Oct. 1, the post office will engage standby resources to satisfy a ny unforeseen demand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I ca me to t he Post a l Service to make changes to secure the success of this

organization and its longterm sustainability. I believe significant reforms are essential to that objective, and work toward those reforms will commence after the election,â&#x20AC;? he said.

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COMMUNITY

‘Unhinged’ dispatches some pulpy jolts

By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 90 MINUTES

T

his f ilm is openi n g A u g . 21 a t open mov ie theaters. Streaming opt ion s h ave yet t o b e announced.

While most know actor Russell Crowe over the years for his dramatic endeavors (that have earned him three Oscar nominations and one win for Gladiator), it appears that every once in a while the actor also enjoys having a little fun. That’s perhaps a strange thing to say about the genre picture Unhinged, which consists of an hour and a half of glowering from its tortured villain between scenes of v iolent physical a ssaults a nd ca r cra shes.

However, it’s very clear from the outset that this fi lm is an over-the-top genre picture and its central goal is not to delve into broken psyches, but instead dispatch a few pulpy jolts.

Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is a frazzled woman dealing w ith a tense divorce, work issues and numerous family commitments. While

driving her son Andy (Jimmi Simpson) to school, she fi nds herself stuck behind an SUV frozen at a green light. Angry, she honks, only to have the unnamed driver (played by Crowe) start a conversation with her at the next light. A heated exchange follows, with Rachel unaware that the man has just had a violent and psychotic episode.

The dr iver follows the mother and son through the st reet s a nd cont i nue s to threaten them. Events escalate even further when the pursuer gets hold of Rachel’s phone and begins not only t er ror i z i ng her, but br utally attacking her personal contacts.

There’s not a whole lot of backstory here. Protagonists Rachel and Andy aren’t given much opportunity to make an impression early on, only carrying a few brief exposition-related conversations in order to set up later events.

This is also the type of fi lm that regularly strains credibility, with car crash after car crash occurring and the villain being able to bounce several vehicles off the road without, for the most part, suffering any serious damage to his own transport. And of course, the police only seem to get involved in the proceedings when it’s convenient for them to do so, and they can be dispatched easily.

S t i l l , while the m o v i e doesn’t have log ic goi ng for it , it does have a charismatic antagonist to carr y viewe r s . W h i le he’s certainly taking the role seriously, Crowe also appears t o b e h avi ng a good time playing a m a n i a c , An angry unnamed driver (Russell Crowe) at the wheel intimidates a woman taking her son to school in “Unhinged.” snarling his Photo Credit: Solstice Studios way through proceedings. The performer cars barrel down the road.

The movie doesn’t have delivers a couple of choice Another plus is the stunt much more to say to viewers lines at Rachel’s expense, driving, which is impressive. than to cut strangers out there staring her down and inform- Vehicles hurtle down narrow a bit of slack when they make ing her that if she thinks she’s streets, spin out into traffic, mistakes or else you may fi nd already having a bad day, then plow into medians and occa- yourself in a very unpleasant he’s going show her just how sionally drive right through situation. It is silly and is far awful things can truly get. He people. T he se sequence s from fi ne art, but the stunts does express frustration at are as exaggerated as they are great to watch, Crowe’s being ignored and mistreated come, but it looks remarkably demented turn is amusing and by others, but it’s not overly dangerous. The chases are even the protagonists become somber. expertly edited, providing a more relatable and likable as clear sense of geography and they are stalked by the antagTruthfully, it’s the proper tension to the pursuit. onist. Unhinged isn’t going approach to the role, as some And since there isn’t a deep to go down as a classic, but of his character’s actions backstory here, the film is it will provide some thrills to are truly disturbing and gro- happy to deliver some enraged those looking for a zippy little tesque, which would put a outbursts and crashes before genre fl ick. damper on the requisite need wrapping things up quickly V ISI T: W W W. for thrills and excitement as and efficiently.

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Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

19

Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for August 21, 2020

By Glenn Kay For the Sun

W

elcome to another look at highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. There’s some interesting new stuff coming your way, along with a few cult classics from years ago. So, since you likely can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

various countries including South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, where it appeared to earn a positive response.

However, there are currently no detailed reviews available in this part of the world, so interested parties will have to throw caution to the wind and go into it cold. The disc itself presents in both the original Korean-language version with English subtitles, as well as in an English-language dub.

BIG NEW RELEASES! DEATHSTROKE: KNIGHTS & DRAGONS – THE MOVIE: Regular readers will no doubt be familiar w it h a l l of the animated direct-to-disc features based on comic book superheroes being released.

This R-rated entry from DC deals with Deathstroke, a family man by day and villainous killer by night. When his various attacks on the public result in his own son being kidnapped, the lead is forced to atone for his past and try to save his child. Critic response toward this effort was solid.

There was a contingent who found it a little bland and thought that this title didn’t offer any twists to set it apart from other titles in the line. Still, most suggested that the feature was well animated and included a lot of exciting (and bloody) action that would please adult comic book fans. The voice cast includes Michael Chiklis, Sasha Alexander, Asher Bishop and Castulo Guerra.

A DOG’S COURAGE: This title was supposed to have been released in April, but was pulled at the last minute and is arriving now. Known in some parts of the world as The Un d e rd og, this animated feature from South Korea tells the story of a dog that is abandoned by its owner and forced to live on the streets. The lead fi nds a pack of stray pooches and joins them in their attempts to redefine themselves and create a human-free home. This movie played at several festivals in

FRAGTIME: While daydreaming, a teenager discovers that she has a very unusual gif t … that she can freeze t i m e fo r a few minutes.

Unfortunately, she can only do it once a day and since it’s only for a brief period, she is unable to really use it to change much.

However, when she decides to use the gift to approach another female classmate that she has a crush on, the lead is shocked to discover that her target is immune to her powers. The embarrassed student is put in an awkward situation and tries to make it up to the classmate, with their relationship developing in the process.

There aren’t many articles about this picture yet, nor is there a critical perspective on it. One online review suggested that this movie is a sweet coming-of-age tale that could have developed its concept further, but still manages to charm.

LOOKS THAT KILL: This independent teen comedy features a lead with an incredibly bizarre condition. He’s so attractive that he can kill anyone with his looks. As a result, the kid is forced to wrap himself in band a ge s a nd make himself look unappealing to others. His life changes when he meets a girl with a bizarre ailment of her own.

She decides to help the lead on a quest of self-discovery and two soon develop feelings for each other. This title was released on the internet last

20 Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun

month and is now arriving on disc. There isn’t much press about the feature and, right now, only a couple of notices have appeared. They haven’t been overwhelming, stating that the cast is fine, but that the story feels cobbled together and derivative. If features Brandon Flynn, Julia Goldani Telles, Ki Hong Lee and Annie Mumolo.

PREVENGE: This UK horror/comedy has actually been a rou nd for a few years, but has been a streaming exclusive on Shudder in Nor th America.

Now it i s finally being released on disc. The story involves a woman in the seventh month of her pregnancy who begins believing that her unborn child is influencing her behavior.

Guided by her fetus, the momto-be goes on a rampage, killing anyone who gets in her way.

Overall, critics enjoyed this dark comedy. A small number complained that beyond the unique concept, the flick didn’t have much to say and was in bad taste. Still, the majority did suggest that this was a clever flick and felt that it was hinting at more than what was on the surface. They also said that it benefited from an exceptional lead performance. The cast includes Alice Lowe, Gemma Whelan, Kate Dickie and Jo Hartley.

new 4K restorations of the theatrical and director’s cuts of the movie, two archived audio commentaries (one with director David Twohy and cast members including Diesel, the other with the fi lmmaker alongside the producer and visual effects team). It also comes with brand new interviews with Twohy, the visual effects supervisor, the composer, all of the bonuses from older releases of the movie, behind-the-scenes footage, a short prequel to the movie, an animated short featuring Riddick, publicity materials and other extras.

Japanese monster movie fans, today is a big day. Arrow is putting out an 8-disc Blu-ray box set called Gamera: The Complete Collection (19652006) which contains every film ever made starring the giant, heroic monster-battling turtle (there are 12 of them in total).

Some of the films are silly and some of them stand tall with any Godzilla flick out there. All of them are fun.

You’ll get the uncut Japanese version of these flicks and hours of extras (the most recent grouping of films is being given a 4K upgrade). The set also includes multiple historian commentaries and bonuses. In addition, you’ll receive a 120-page comic reprint of a four-issue series starring Gamera and a book featuring a new retrospective on the series. It all looks incredible.

T o w n Bloody Hall (1979) is a documentary from D. A. Pennebaker (M o n t e r e y Pop, Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back) and Chris Hegedus (Jimi Plays Monterey) in which he records a debate and discussion between rabble-rousing author Norman Mailer on female liberation with members of the women’s movement.

No doubt he comes off looking quite bad. The film has been restored in 2K, includes a new interview and commentary with Hegedus, footage from a 2004 celebration of the film, an appearance by Mailer on The Dick Cavett Show and archival interviews with Germaine Greer and Mailer.

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS! Here are some releases that may appeal to youngsters.

A Dog’s Courage Emma! 2: Dance Spectacular! (The Wiggles) ON THE TUBE! And here are the week’s TV-themed titles.

Batwoman: Season 1 Cursed Films (five-part Shudder documentary series) Matching Hearts (Hallmark TV-movie) The Terror: Infamy: Season 2 V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

BL A STS F ROM T H E PAST! Arrow is delivering the well-regarded sci-fi/horror/ action flick, Pitch Black (2000).

This marked an early starring role for V i n D ie s el and remains one of h is best f licks.

He plays a convict on a spacecra ft that crashes on a deserted planet. When the sun sets, the survivors discover that hungry aliens have come out to feast.

The crew, passengers, an officer and the criminal must overcome their differences and team up in order to survive.

This Special Edition includes COMMUNITY

DARK MONEY RESPONSE | FROM PAGE 17 poll of New Mexico Voters in 2014 found that four-in-five voters believe the amount of influence that large campaign donors have on politicians is a serious problem.

When able to act voters do so. New Mexico voters did approve by a similar majority the constitutional change establishing an ethics commission.

Greed and easy money have ruined the economy. Privatized gains & socialized losses are not what Capitalism is supposed to be about. Some groups are rescued by government while others are left to flounder. When an industry expects help from the government it loses as it leads to speculation and excessive risk.

Political connections predominate. What is required is an ounce of regulatory prevention. Socialism for the rich and Capitalism is for the rest.

When Congress was considering the Troubled Asset Relief Program TARP], calls from the public to Congress were 10 to 1 against it. Congress nonetheless approved it. Simon Johnson with the MIT Sloan School of Management in his book 13 Bankers said that when he worked with the World Bank, crises such as the one the U.S. financial sector was facing occurred in other countries. He said the recommendation given

ASSAULT | FROM PAGE 13 walked back inside the house.

He came out again holding a two-foot long machete and seemed ready to fight. Shirley and Villa had their service

IMPACT AID | FROM PAGE 4 THE NEW CHALLENGE Hyatt said the specific reason behind the TRO was the state is now trying to claim less than 75 percent of federal impact aid from the district by submitting new data to the impact aid office that would allow them to do so, when they are only able to claim 75 percent of the aid or none at all.

NEWS

to other countries under similar circumstances was to seize the assets, wipe out the shareholders, and pay off the debt.

He also said that banks with assets over $100 million were unnecessary which is a way of saying we don’t need the “too big to fail” banks in the first place. Guidance our congress did not take. What’s good for the goose isn’t really good for the gander. Imagine the self discipline such an action would have had on the U.S. fi nancial industry.

1971 was the fi rst year that the government bailed out a private firm, Lockheed. Lockheed was on the brink of extinction due to its own mismanagement.

The firm was genius in the procurement process, but marginal as a business with cost overruns, poor business practices and institutional corporate welfare.

The vote was close; in the House 189 to 172 and in the Senate 49 to 48. The government by its action supported Lockheed’s ineptitude thereby legitimizing failure. Such help rewards failure and penalizes success. It puts a dull edge on competition and draws government into business in the form of additional regulatory intervention.

Lockheed was given a $250 million loan guarantee; never before in U.S. history had the government rescued a single firm. Previously the government

supported industries, not firms, and on the basis of national needs. U.S. efforts began with President Lincoln, think railroads to the west coast and telegraph lines – true infrastructure needs for a growing nation.

The Lockheed bailout was the Pandora’s Box that unleashed a generation of evils onto capitalism in this country.

Then in 1971 President Nixon took us off the Gold Standard. Prior to that time our dollar was backed by gold.

Instead our dollar was made “legal tender” by government decree with no intrinsic value.

U. S. Debt exploded after 1971 and the dollar’s value plummeted.

The bailouts were funded by debt. The economy boomed for a short time followed by a crash. Prior to 1971 the United States was a creditor nation, subsequently we became a debtor nation as the government learned to print money without real value.

The next government intervention was Penn Central Railroad which gave us Amtrak, a loser ever since. Congress refused the bailout money, but took over the failing rail service. Meanwhile the U.S. Auto Industry refused to modernize and compete successfully against worldwide competition from Japan and Europe.

Chrysler has been “rescued” twice.

After incurring a much

deserved loss of $1.1 billion in 1979, Chrysler asked for and received a government bailout.

With Lockheed the argument for a bailout was national defense, with Chrysler the argument was 200,000 jobs.

But the $1.5 billion in loans left in place the same management team, the same union, the same healthcare plan and the same retirement package.This became a failing venture. The 2008-2009 “Great Recession” caused another collapse requiring another rescue.

Ch r y sler wa s sold t o Mer c e de s - B e n z , t he n t o Cerberus Capital Management.

Eventually the property of Fiat, the auto union, the U.S. and Canadian governments, it is now in the proud [?] possession of Fiat.

Other major bailouts followed, including the Savings & Loan bailout, $300 billion; Long Term Capital Management was bailed out by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, $3.6 billion. The government’s intervention continued in response to the credit crisis, the derivatives disaster and the housing collapse.

T h e Fe d u n d e r A l a n Greenspan’s leadership encouraged speculation, more aggressive trading and more use of margin. Once traders figured out Greenspan had their backs, they lost much of their restraint. The result is a market with a strong upward bias and

a five year run of double-digit returns. We see the same thing today.

The Stock Market is booming because the Fed is holding interest rates artificially low The most important shift in the economy over the last 50 years has been the move from free-market-based capitalism with light regulation to crony capitalism with heavy regulation.

In the past most success went to entrepreneurs and businesspeople who took calculated risks in innovation and increased demand by satisfying the public’s wants faster, cheaper and more conveniently.

Today politicians, regulators and bureaucrats wield enormous power and direct wealth and fame to their favored subjects. This granting of rewards to cronies takes many forms such as employment, direct government contracts, legislation, appropriations tax loopholes, political appointments, regulatory burdens on enemies, acceding to lobbyists’ requests and the special investigation and harassment of enemies.

If you’re a Solyndra you get $536 million in Department of Energy loan guarantees, but if you’re a GM bondholder, you’re bullied into watching the auto unions get paid off ahead of you.

pistols drawn and ordered Lee to drop the weapon, which he refused to do.

After getting higher caliber service guns from their units, Shirley and Villa continued to tell Lee to drop his blade. Lee finally discarded

the machete and laid down on the ground, at which point he was cuffed and put inside Shirley’s unit.

Shirley spoke with the woman at the scene, Lee’s mother, who told him she had returned home and noticed

her son had been drinking.

She refused to give him any money or let him drive their truck because he was drunk.

That’s when he got aggressive.

Myron stopped, and deputies showed up a short time later.

Lee was transported to a hospital for a medical clearance. After being cleared, he was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked on charges of two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer.

“[The state] is trying to manipulate the numbers to take these dollars away from our kids,” Hyatt said.

Hyatt said since the district has not had success in keeping impact aid through legislation, they have now been forced to take the issue to court.

“We’ve had a lot of support locally to help fight for this issue from local legislators, specifically Sen. George Muñoz, [D-Gallup] and Rep. Patty Lundstrom, [D-Gallup],”

he said. “They have been very instrumental in helping us lead the fight to return these dollars back to the kids.”

it to us unless changes are made with state law,” he said.

Hyatt said impact aid is a big issue for local communities and they have admitted it’s been a problem for over 40 years. He added the governor agrees it is an unfair issue and has to be fi xed.

“This is a discrimination issue against Native American communities,” he said. “This isn’t just about our students, it’s about their communities.

It affects our infrastructures

for schools because we can’t generate dollars in the schools.

“The Board of Education is committed to fighting for students to get the impact aid dollars we have rightly earned for our students and not for the rest of the state,” he said.

The Sun reached out to the New Mexico Public Education Department to ask how about their response and future plans on the matter. The PED stated on Aug. 20 they do not comment on pending litigation.

NEXT STEPS When asked about future steps, Hyatt said the next move is to await the outcome of a hearing scheduled for Aug. 26, and then another hearing with the federal impact aid office.

“If we’re successful in court, the state’s going to have to return that money to us and keep giving

SEE PART TWO in the Gallup Sun Aug. 28

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

21

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS WEEKLY RATES FIRST 25 WORDS: FREE! (4 consecutive weeks max.)

GALLUP SUN ARCHIVES Need a past issue? $2.00 per copy. Note issue date and send check or M.O. to: Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM 87305. Subject to availability.

FOR RENT Black Diamond Mobile Home Park Renovated, 2 bedroom, 2 bath $675.00 per month, $675.00 deposit, $150.00 refundable water service fee.

Call Bill - 505-726-9288 *** House for rent.

Good location, new appliances, 2 bd, work room, parking, covered front porch $700, 863-1974 LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF McKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF CANDELARIA J. TORREZ,

FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF LUPE CANDELARIA TORREZ, Cause No. 2020-301-V

Published: The Gallup Sun August 21, 2020 August 28, 2020 September 4, 2020

D-1113-CV***

NOTICE OF PETITION TO CHANGE NAME (OF PERSON UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE)

THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF CIBOLA STATE OF NEW MEXICO

TO: CANDELARIA TORREZ, Mother

In the Matter of the Estate of LENA MAE ROMERO, Deceased

J.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CANDELARIA J. TORREZ has filed a Petition to change the name of his/her child from LUPE CANDELARIA TORREZ to LUPE CANDELARIA LAVITA TORREZ. This Petition will be heard before the Honorable R. David Pederson, District Judge, on the 9TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2020 at the hour of 10:30 A.M. at the McKinley County Courthouse, 207 W. Hill Ave., Room 200, Gallup, New Mexico.

Weldon J. Neff Clerk of the District Court

By Deputy Clerk Jaycelyn Etsitty

No. D-1333-PB-2020-00011 NOTICE TO CREDITORS SANDRA MAE PRUITT has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of LENA MAE ROMERO, deceased. All persons having claims against this estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented either to the Personal Representative at the offices of Mason &

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GALLUP SUN! Three Convenient Delivery Options Snail Mail: __ 1 yr. $59.95 __ 6 mo. $29.95

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CLASSIFIEDS Read online at gallupsun.com Isaacson, P.A., 104 East Aztec Avenue, Gallup, New Mexico 87301, attorneys for the Persona Representative, or filed with the District Court of McKinley County, New Mexico.

Inc. is seeking bids from EPA Certified contractors to provide written bids for LeadBased Paint Abatement as described in the bid package.

SANDRA MAE PRUITT Personal Representative

A copy of the BID PACKAGE may be requested via email: AcmeBrettEngel@gmail. com to the attention of Brett Engel, ACME Environmental, Inc. Telephone: 505-934-0995.

MASON & ISAACSON P.A. James J. Mason Attorneys for Personal Representative 104 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-4463

Bids may be hand delivered to Brett Engel, at Acme Environmental, Inc., 3816 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87107; or sent by email to: AcmeBrettEngel@gmail. com

Publication: Gallup Sun August 21, 2020 August 28, 2020 September 4, 2020

Any pre-bid Site visits can be coordinated with Gallup Housing Authority Capital Projects Coordinator, Michael Burnside, Maintenance Manager at 505-722-4388 extension 20.

Dated: July 17, 2020

Name: ________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________ (for billing purposes only) Mail Check to: Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM 87305 Fax: (505) 212-0391 • Email: gallupsun@gmail.com Credit Card #: __________________________________ Exp: ________ 3-4 digit code: ________ Billing zip: _________ Pay By Phone: (505) 722-8994 The Gallup Sun is distributed weekly, on Fridays. Forms received after Wednesday, the subscription will start the following Friday.

22 Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun

*** REQUEST FOR BIDS LEAD-BASED PAINT ABATEMENT ROMERO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, GALLUP, NM

Any Questions regarding the Abatement Project must be submitted in writing no later than Friday, August 21, 2020 to Brett Engel at the email address above.

IFB #2020-03 ACME Project # 20-062

Notice is hereby given that

The Gallup Housing Authority via ACME Environmental,

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 23 CLASSIFIEDS

CALENDAR

COMMUNITY CALENDAR AUGUST 21 – AUGUST 27, 2020 FRIDAY, August 21

MAGIC FOR MUGGLES; HARRY POTTER TRIVIA

2 PM Live on Facebook @ galluplibrary.

You are invited to the Leaky Cauldron for an enchanted afternoon of Harry Potter trivia! Sign up on our website, ofpl .online, or on Facebook, @galluplibrary to secure your spot. For more information: jwhitman@gallupnm.gov; (505) 863-1291.

MONDAY, August 24

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

1 pm-2 pm @ Student Support Center Board Room (640 S. Boardman)

CREATIVE CORNER

4 pm-5 pm Mon. @ Octavia Fellin Public Library You Tube. Make your own art from materials around your home. Art courses are for the inner creative, geared toward people 15 years old and older.

This week we will focus on Beginner hemp projects (necklaces and bracelets).

TUESDAY, August 25

KEEP GALLUP CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL BOARD MEETING

4 pm Join with Google Meet: Meeting ID= meet.google.

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 22 formal bids for the above project are due at the office of Acme Environmental, Inc. no later than 4:00 PM Friday, August 28, 2020.

Published: The Gallup Sun August 21, 2020 *** Pursuant of the New Mexico Self Storage Lien Act, the following items will be sold or disposed of in order to satisfy a lien for delinquent rent and/or related charges. Property is located at: Sunrise Self Storage 3000 W. Hwy 66 Gallup, NM 87301.

Sale will take place TBD Please call 505-722-7989 for more information.

Last Known Address of Tenant: Michael Meadows 222 E. Nizhoni Blvd Apt. CALENDAR

com/gzx-uwhn-atv Phone # = (US) 1(252)-987-8208 PIN= 348 197 357#

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

6 pm on the City of Gallup’s Facebook page. https://www. facebook.com/CityOfGallup/

COVID-19 TESTING

9 am-12 pm Baca Chapter.

No appointment needed. For more information: (505) 6555406 or (505) 786-6294/6240.

MCKINLEY COUNTY BACK TO SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION CLINICS

8:30 am – 11 am. @ McKinley Public Health Office, 1919 College Dr. Call (505) 7224391 to schedule an appointment. Vaccines provided at no cost for children through 18 years of age. Bring your child’s shot record.

COVID-19 TESTING

9 AM-12 PM Whitehorse Lake Chapter. No appointment needed. For more information: (505) 655-5406 or (505) 786-6294/6240.

WEDNESDAY, August 26

LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

5 pm Join Zoom Meeting: https//uso2web.zoom. us/j/86272366738 Meeting ID: 862 7236 6738 or Dial in: 1-699-900-6833 Meeting ID: 862 7236 6738

B8 Gallup, NM 87301 Boots, Vacuum, Car Jack Boxes & Bags of Misc. Items Brenda Flores PO Box 4141 Gallup, NM 87301 Twin Bed, Kitchen Items Boxes & Bags of Misc. Items Items may be viewed on the day of sale only. CASH ONLY Please call the office to verify Info.

Sale May Be Cancelled By Right of Lien Holder Published: The Gallup Sun August 21, 2020 August 28, 2020 *** NOTICE MEETING

OF

TECH TIME ONLINE: COMMUNITY COMPUTER TRAINING CLASSES

4 pm classes will be available on OFPL’s social media channels @galluplibrary.

Twitter for beginners – Learn the basics of using Twitter to communicate with others and stay up to date on current events and celebrity happenings. libtrain@gallupnm.gov; (505) 863-1291.

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

9 am-11 am M, W, F @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.)

RMCHCS COVID-19 DRIVE-UP TESTING

9 am-5 pm M-Sat @ Urgent Care Center (520 NM Hwy 564, north of the New Mexico Cancer Center).

IMAGINE YOUR STORY – YOUTH SUMMER READING

THURSDAY, August 27

CRAFTY KIDS

4 pm on Facebook and Youtube @galluplibrary (all ages) for family-friendly crafts and step-by-step tutorials for all skill levels. This week we will create water bottle animals.

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING WITH COUNCILOR LINDA GARCIA, DIST. 1

6:30 pm-8:30 pm @ Gallup Senior Center (607 N. 4th St.)

MCKINLEY COUNTY BACK TO SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION CLINICS

All Day Aug. 7-Sept. 1. Read for four hours and you can select a personal pan pizza or free round of mini-golf from Pizza Nine. Participants can complete an online reading log found on our website @ octaviafellin.libguides.com/ srp2020 of call the main library for a paper version of the log at (505) 863-1291. Entries must be received by 6 pm Sept 1. For more information: childlib@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291.

OFPL BOOKMARK DESIGN CONTEST

8:30 am – 11 am. @ McKinley Public Health Office, 1919 College Dr. Call (505) 7224391 to schedule an appointment. Vaccines provided at no cost for children through 18 years of age. Bring your child’s shot record.

ALL Day Aug. 7 – Aug. 31, 2020. Compete in OFPL’s bookmark design contest.

Entry forms available at ofpl. online/programs/#bookmarkcontest. For more information: jwhitman@gallupnm.gov, or call (505) 863-1291.

This meeting will be open to the public via technology services to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A copy of the agenda will be available 72 hours prior to the meeting in the Manager’s Office and the County Clerk’s Office.

LEGAL NOTICE

Auxiliary aides for the disabled are available upon request.

Please contact Elvera Grey at Elvera.

Grey@co.mckinley.nm.us, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to make any necessary arrangements to join the meeting.

All interested parties invited to attend.

are

Done this 18th day of August 2020 PUBLIC

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Jail Authority Board has scheduled their meeting for Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 1:30 pm.

ONGOING

JAIL AUTHORITY BOARD /S/ Billy Moore, Chairperson Publication date: August 21, 2020 ***

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Regular Meeting of the Gallup City Council scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2020 has been rescheduled for Monday, August 24, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. The City Council will consider final approval of the following case at the rescheduled meeting: Case # 20-00300006: Request by George Athens and the City of Gallup, property owners for Final Plat approval of a Minor Subdivision; Replat No. 1 of Lots 13 & 14, Block A; Lots 1 & 2, Block B; and Lots 2 & 3, Block C of Burke George Heights Addition and Replat No. 1 of Lot 1 of Replat No. 1 of a Portion of Block B, and Block C, Burke George Heights Addition.

Also requesting for the City of Gallup to vacate a 60’ wide, undeveloped street rightof-way (R.O.W.) between Block A and Block B. The

SUMMER READING BINGO – ADULTS AND TEENS

All Day Aug. 7 – Sept. 1, 2020. Participants in Imagine Your Story can complete a Book Bingo Card available at octaviafellin.libguides.com/ srp2020. Turn in your card to be entered in a weekly prize drawing. Entries must be in by 6 pm Sept. 1. For more information: bmartin@gallupnm. gov or call (505) 863-1291.

TALKING TUESDAYS

4 pm on Facebook and YouTube @galluplibrary for book, author, movie, tech talks and more.

EARLY LEARNING WITH ANIMALS

11 am-12 pm Wed. and Fri. @ Octavia Fellin Public Library Facebook and You Tube. We are learning about animals through Aesop’s Fables.

VIRTUAL FUN FRIDAYS WITH OFPL

2 pm-3 pm Fri. @ Octavia Fellin Public Library Facebook. Join the OFPL staff and special guests every Friday on Facebook Live for trivia games and more.

To post a nonprofit or civic event in the calendar section, please email: gallupsunevents@gmail.com or fax: (505) 212-0391. Deadline: Monday at 5 pm.

properties are located at 711 and 801 South Second Street; subdivision contains 6.3658 acres M/L which includes the vacated R.O.W. of 0.5741 acres.

As provided by the public health order issued by the New Mexico Department of Health, the meeting will be physically closed to the public; however, it will be accessible to the public via Facebook Live stream through the City of Gallup’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ CityOfGallup/.

Copies of the agenda are available seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting on the City of Gallup’s website at: https://www.gallupnm. gov/agendacenter.

CITY OF GALLUP, NEW MEXICO By: /s/ Alfred Abeita II, City Clerk Published:The Gallup Sun August 21, 2020

Gallup Sun • Friday August 21, 2020

23

EMPLOYEE PRICING FOR EVERYONE 2020 BUICK ENCORE GX ESSENCE ST AWD EXAMPLE OFFER: $2,544 PRICE REDUCTION BELOW MSRP + $1,000 PURCHASE ALLOWANCE

VALUE ON $3,544 TOTAL THIS ENCORE GX

1

2020 BUICK ENCORE PREFERRED EXAMPLE OFFER: $1,701 PRICE REDUCTION BELOW MSRP + $2,500 PURCHASE ALLOWANCE

VALUE ON $4,201TOTAL THIS ENCORE 1

2020 BUICK ENVISION PREMIUM II AWD EXAMPLE OFFER: $3,776 PRICE REDUCTION BELOW MSRP + $3,250 PURCHASE ALLOWANCE

VALUE ON $7,026 TOTAL THIS ENVISION 1

2020 BUICK ENCLAVE AVENIR EXAMPLE OFFER: $4,734 PRICE REDUCTION BELOW MSRP + $2,500 PURCHASE ALLOWANCE

VALUE ON $7,234 TOTAL THIS ENCLAVE 1

Encore GX based on MSRP of $36,865. Encore based on MSRP of $27,070.

Envision based on MSRP of $48,015. Enclave based on MSRP of $59,155.

Not available with special finance, lease and some other offers.

Take retail delivery by 8/31/20. At participating dealers only.

Dealership availability and hours of operation are subject to change in accordance with all federal and local laws and restrictions. ©2020 General Motors. All rights reserved.

Buick® Encore GX® Encore® Envision® Enclave®

1

220 S. FIFTH • GALLUP, NEW MEXICO 87301 (505) 722-2271 • www.RicoAutoComplex.com

24 Friday August 21, 2020 • Gallup Sun GMUW0590002_Buick_Albuquerque_GallupSun_10x12.75.indd 1

COMMUNITY 8/17/20 2:29 PM