Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2015

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VOL 2 | ISSUE 43 | JANUARY 29, 2016

SHATTERED LIVES PTSD: Healing hidden wounds. Page 5

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Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

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NEWS Mayor and Council have a handle on Master Plan

By Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

O

ur city leaders are well prepared to handle their jobs, with only a few minor blips along the road. The task can be daunting if done right. This week’s agenda – which included a Special and a Regular Meeting, back to back – required reading through some 158 pages of prepared material and making sense of the complete package.

Granted, there were 12 pages dealing the minutes of the prior meeting, two more pages just to list the agenda for both, and 14 pages covered by slides in the Special Meeting – still more eye-strain than most people put themselves through in a week, except for watching TV or playing games on the computer.

The Special Meeting was presented by Steve Burstein

of Architectural Research Consultants, Inc. and discussed the Growth Management Master Plan to be further presented to Santa Fe in February. This official public document is a policy guide adopted by the City Council to estimate, as well as possible, the physical development of the community and to determine how the city will grow in the next 20-30 years.

Burstein was quick to point out to the council that some “bullet changes” may still be made in the document, but that approval by them at the Feb. 9 meeting is necessary in order to beat the state’s deadline.

Demographic trends for both city and county were discussed and then elaborated on in several areas. These numbers show, among other things, that Gallup has grown every decade for the past 100 years and the median age at the time

of the last census was 31.9 years compared to 36.7 for the state.

As a driver in economics, the population of Gallup remains an employment hub, strong in travel, trade, and tourism. The prospects for a stronger economy are even better with the widening of U.S. 491 within two years, the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project by 2023, and the increased promotion and coordination of the Greater Gallup EDC, a 3,000 acre energy logistics park proposed by Gallup Land Partners, and the potential for growth in the film industry.

Economic development incentives from the Local Economic Development Act, the Job Training Incentive Progra m, a nd the use of Industrial Revenue Bonds are also a positive factor in economic development. There was also a brief presentation of a possible medical cluster that

could be developed, especially if a new IHS facility is erected.

Land use for Gallup included admissions of the rocky terrain and steep slopes as well as the bottleneck of the Hogbacks and the flooding risk along certain areas of the Rio Puerco and tributary arroyos. A high range projection of 31,000 inhabitants by 2040 would mean that a lot of changes would have to be made soon in order to prepare adequately for this increase.

Current and future prospects, issues, and opportunities were

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Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

targeted in this section, including the Rehoboth Annexation Area, the Mendoza Road Area, and the Allison Bridge/Road Extension Area.

Some of the other data presented concerned Housing, an inventory of City buildings and parks, a Community Survey of City Parks usage, Water supply, other utilities, and Hazards Mitigation.

Altogether, a pleasant and infor mative hour hea r ing about the positive and negative aspects of the future.

Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher/Editor Babette Herrmann Advertising Raenona Harvey Correspondents Tom Hartsock Chrissy Largo Photography Del Ray Shepherd Waldenberger Calendar Editor Lealia Nelson Design David Tsigelman On the Cover: Artist’s rendering for Page 5 story on PTSD. 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.

PO Box 1212 Gallup, NM 87305 www.gallupsun.com Find us on Facebook and Twitter Phone: (505) 728-1640 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.

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NEWS

Cover Story: Doctor overcomes obstacles to help others with PTSD Story & Photos by Shepherd Waldenberger Sun Correspondent

D

r. Paul Hegstrom took the stage at the Gallup High School auditorium Jan. 20-22 before a large and diverse crowd including health care providers, veterans, and couples. Over 200 people registered for the free post-traumatic stress disorder seminar funded by Gallup Indian Medical Services, and those who attended the entire event earned a certificate.

Hegstrom easily filled two and a half days with his knowledge and experience of PTSD, and he barely scratched the surface.

The doctor has lived a challenging and remarkable life.

As a child, he was molested numerous times. When he brought it up with his parents, his mother replied that they were Christians and did not talk about sex. That was that.

He assumed responsibility for the abuse he received, since he knew no better, and this childhood trauma created what Hegstrom now calls “arrested development.” Basically, his emotional development ceased at around seven or eight years of age.

As he continued to grow and age, he failed to mature. When he married Judy (the first time) their relationship was rocky at best. They had three children together, but physical and emotional abuse tore the marriage apart, and Paul and Judy got a divorce.

Hegstrom moved on to other relationships, but he couldn’t escape his abusive tendencies.

Finally, he hit a wall. One of his abusive episodes ended with his girlfriend in the hospital and him facing 15-20 years in prison.

It was time to change.

Hegstrom had been in and out of counseling numerous times already, but he had never found a program that could help him overcome his challenges.

He tried again, and this time he made some headway, but he was still a long way from overcoming the trauma he experienced in childhood, so he began doing his own research to develop a form of therapy that could NEWS

Dr. Paul Hegstrom addresses the crowd in the Gallup High School auditorium.

result in permanent change.

This path led him to found Life Skills International, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Aurora, Colo.

Hegstrom found a way to heal himself, and through LSI, he reportedly has been able to help thousands of others on the path to emotional maturity. LSI has over 100 centers in the U.S. and abroad, and he has now published several books as well.

“I had no knowledge of mental health, which has been to my advantage,” he said at the start of the seminar.

His success is a result of a new approach to healing.

Hegstrom wasn’t bound by conventions of the mental health field. Instead, he was a patient seeking answers. With over 18,000 hours of research on domestic violence and related issues, he has found new methods to solve old problems.

“We are doing things that no one in the world has ever done,” he said. When it comes to healing, “you have to change the core, or it’s not going to work.”

Hegstrom’s approach is comprised of equal parts science and experience. At times, his remarks were quite technical, and he would frequently ask “does this make sense to anyone?” The crowd usually responded with nods, and the doctor would continue.

Though the topic of the seminar was quite serious,

Gillis Chapela, director of Family Life Skills of the First Nations, gives opening remarks on Jan. 20.

Hegstrom joked freely throughout, saying things like “I was as dumb as a bag of doorknobs when it came to women.” His ability to jest about his dark history is testament to his transformation. The crowd picked up on his humor, and when he asked “what is a desirable man?” A woman responded, “covered in chocolate.” Everyone shared a good laugh at that.

Hegstrom believes that everyone can be helped, no matter how bad their situation may seem.

“The worst guy in prison still has something redeemable,” he said. When he realized that about himself, he was able to begin the process of maturing and creating the life he had always wanted.

He remarried Judy, and this time things are completely different. When he first mentioned getting back together she wanted no part of it, and for good reason. As time went on though, he proved himself through his actions.

“I earned her trust back,” he said.

D u r i n g h i s s e m i n a r, Hegstrom said, “this is the first time I’ve released some of this information, and I chose to release it to the First Nations.”

He said that he feels a connection to Native communities, as he said that he is part Native himself, descended from the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. His

mother revealed this to him on her deathbed, he said, and he has since desired to bring his program to tribal communities, which is what landed him in Gallup.

He helped establish Family Life Skills of the First Nations, a pilot project of LSI based in Gallup.

“We work directly with Hegstrom,” Director Gillis Chapela said. Chapela is excited to use Hegstrom’s knowledge and strategies to help the Gallup community, and Hegstrom was equally excited to be in Gallup for the seminar.

“We’ve been working with Gillis for about three years to bring this together,” he said.

Meawhile, trauma often travels from one generation to the next, which results in “children raising children.”

“I want to break the cycle,” Hegstrom said.

He is optimistic about the potential of his life skills program to heal old wounds and prevent new ones in families everywhere.

With FLSFN headquartered in Gallup, community members will soon have access to help based on Hegstrom’s methods. Chapela, who was born in Black Rock and has lived in Gallup for six decades, said that funding is currently underway, and he hopes courses will begin in March.

The courses will be three hours a week for 30 weeks, and payment will be income-based.

Chapela is also hopeful that “scholarships could be available,” depending on funding. Anyone over 18 may enroll, and the courses will address overcoming a broad range of traumas. Wounds of war and of childhood can all be overcome with the upcoming life skills courses.

“It’s for everyone,” and “veterans would surely benefit,” he said.

For more information on LSI, visit www.lifeskillsintl. org, or call (303) 340-0598. For more about Family Life Skills of the First Nations, call (505) 862-3046.

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‘A transparent government – that is what we are working toward’ maintenance specialist, was recognized as one of the most dedicated and loyal staff members at Fort Defiance Chapter.

It brought tears to her eyes to see this day come to fruition.

“I’ve been here for fifteen years, I went through a lot and I can’t believe that we’ve came

Story & Photos by Chrissy Largo Sun Correspondent

F

ORT DEFIANCE, Ariz.

–The Fort Defiance Chapter proudly received their Local Governance Act certification that took place on Jan.15, as the Navajo Nation Resources and Development Committee held their regular meeting, which included Legislation No.040715, for approval of the chapter’s Five Management System polices and procedures.

The Fort Defiance Chapter is one of the largest chapters within the Fort Defiance Agency, which includes 26 other chapters, and it continues to grow. It is now the 44th chapter to receive LGA certification.

Ju mpi ng ba ck f rom a history of misuse of chapter funds from the previous administration, and the revolving door of staff members, Georgina Chischilly, account

this far, and we are getting certified,” she said.

However, she is not the only veteran who waited for this day to come. Community Land Use Planning Committee President, Frank Nez Jr. waited a total of 14 years and four complete audits to reach this

(Top Row L-R) The Navajo Nation Council Resources and Development Committee Council Delegates Leonard H. Pete, Davis Filfred, Walter Phelps, and Benjamin Bennett (Bottom Row L-R) Grazing Official Herman Billie, Chapter Secretary/Treasurer Brenda Wauneka, Chapter President Zondra Bitsuie, Chapter Vice President Lorraine Nelson, Account Maintenance Specialist Georgina Chischilly, and Community Services Coordinator Tony K. Watchman, joined together to celebrate in Fort Defiance Chapter’s LGA Certification on Jan.15.

“I would like to thank our community because without them, we wouldn’t be moving forward,” said Chapter President Zondra Bitsuie. “There are a lot of them that come to every meeting. I would really like to thank them for all of their dedication to our community.”

long-awaited goal. “ T he r e w a s s o m a ny involved when putting together the original Land Use Plan,” he said. “I’ve lived here all my life and I want to see Fort Defiance move upwards. I want to see people serve better.”

The process in getting

certification is a tedious one because it focuses on the Chapter’s implementation of a five management system that entails “accounting, procurement, filing, personnel and

GOVERNMENT | SEE PAGE 7

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

-VOTE-

February 2, 2016 SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MILL LEVY ELECTION JANUARY 5, 2016 JANUARY 8, 2016 JANUARY 13, 2016 JANUARY 29, 2016 JANUARY 29, 2016 FEBRUARY 2, 2016 February 5, 2016

BOOKS CLOSE ABSENTEE VOTING BEGINS EARLY / IN PERSON VOTING BEGINS LAST DAY OFFICE MAILS OUT ABSENTEE BALLOTS EARLY AND ABSENTEE IN-PERSON ENDS @ 5:00 PM ELECTION DAY GMCS SCHOOL BOARD TWO-MILL LEVY Question GMCS Mill-Levy CANVASS 1 PM McKinley County Courthouse

Bureau of Elections 207 W. Hill Ave. Gallup NM Phone: 505-722-4460 or 1-800-245-1771

Two-Mill Levy Question: "Shall the Gallup-McKinley County School District No. 1, impose a property tax of $2.00 per each $1,000.00 of net taxable value of property allocated to the Gallup-McKinley County School District No. 1 for the property tax years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for the purpose of (1) erecting, remodeling, making additions to, providing equipment for or furnishing public school buildings; (2) purchasing or improving public school grounds; (3) maintenance of public school buildings or public school grounds, including the purchasing or repairing of maintenance equipment, participating in the facility information management system as required by the Public School Capital Outlay Act and including payments under contracts with regional education cooperatives for maintenance support services and expenditures for technical training and certification for maintenance and facilities management personnel, but excluding salary expenses of school district employees; (4) purchasing activity vehicles for transporting students to extracurricular school activities; or (5) purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public school classrooms?"

FOR Two Mill Levy AGAINST Two Mill Levy

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Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

Jim R. Parris confirmed as controller of the Navajo Nation Staff Report

W

I N DOW ROCK , Ariz. – With 18 votes in favor, one against and five not voting, Jim R. Parris was confirmed Jan. 27 by the 23rd Navajo Nation Council as the new Controller of the Navajo Nation.

Parris, a tribal member of the Osage and Cherokee Nations, was appointed as Controller by President Russell Begaye and Vice President Nez

GOVERNMENT | FROM PAGE 6 property,” based off of the criteria set into place of the Local Governance Act of 1998.

A review and approval process is required by the Auditor General’s Office, in accordance to Title 26 Section 102, to ensure that the chapter has followed the internal control policies and effectiveness of the FMS process.

With a community with now more than 6,000 members, and 3,000 registered voters, as the population continues to rise, Chapter Vice President Lorraine Nelson said she is hoping the LGA certification will help provide the infrastructure needed for new homes because more community members are residing or planning to reside in Fort Defiance.

“We want to enter a partnership concept with all the entities that are helping the people get services,” she said.

“That will be one of our main efforts and our key concept that will help us grow and help our whole community grow.”

Born and raised in Fort Defiance, Chapter Secretary/ Treasurer, Brenda Wauneka, could not agree more. She added that communication and staying together as a team helped them achieve certification.

“We want accomplishment,” she said. “We want to reach our goals and that is basically why we are here every day, helping the chapter. We want a good community. We want to build.”

Chapter President Zondra Bitsuie lauded the efforts of her staff and community, stating that it was a hard road to achieve LGA certification because a lot of things had to NEWS

on Nov. 30, 2015. Parris has over 35 years of experience in accounting, auditing and management in tribal, federal and private sectors across the U.S. Parris said he is excited to work with the Navajo Nation and looks forward to developing an action plan to present to the Office of the President and Vice President (OPVP) and the Navajo Nation Council to try and get support for making some of the changes needed.

“I’ll be doing a workload analysis and coordinate with change starting at the chapter level.

“The community molded us to change,” she said. “A transparent government that is what we are working toward.

We want the community to be involved and know that we are here working for them, and they are there to keep us in check.

Ask us questions and see what we are doing. We welcome that and we thank all of you.”

During the certification event, she gave a special tha nk you to Community Services Coordinator Tony K. Watchman, and Chischilly, in their coordination and teamwork.

An optimistic Watchman contributed by stating that land wise, Fort Defiance is going to develop, in leaps and bounds, and the possibilities are endless.

“At Fort Defiance, we are looking at how do we promote Fort Defiance as a chapter, meaning economically, financially, and being responsible to our community members?” he said. “It goes back to them, how their wellbeing is and what is going to work for the community, as a whole, and not just as the chapter and chapter government.”

RDC members approved the legislation with a vote of 3-0.

“Certainly this is a milestone and a great accomplishment. I commend you for the well-done and outstanding job,” RDC member Davis Filfred said. “Whatever you guys want to be, as this chapter, if you want to go in to business, you can exercise that to the fullest and getting revenue and returning that back to the chapter.”

The community of Fort Defiance is located about seven miles north of Window Rock, Ariz.

the Office of Management and Budget to improve contract monitoring to prevent reversions and the loss of funds to the Nation. I’d also like to use the spending that we currently have and do a better job of working more efficiently with the programs to utilize their resources in a more effective manner for the Nation.”

The new Controller said he sees opportunities to increase revenue for the Nation by revising the investment portfolio and also monitoring the Nation’s investments. He said he will evaluate the Nation’s investment managers to assess their performance and determine whether the Nation needs to change some of the managers that are paid substantial fees.

“We need to look at our investment consultants and work in closer coordination with them,” he said.

Parris said he would like to consider short-term investments and whether the Nation should explore alternatives with short term investments

wherein previously they haven’t been aggressive in investing short-term funds.

“I want to do a better job of monitoring these investments and whatever I need to do to look at alternatives that may be able to get a better rate of return.”

President Begaye said he welcomes the vision and experience Controller Parris will bring to the Navajo Nation.

“We know his experience and knowledge is vital in overseeing and protecting the Navajo Nation’s finances and multi-billion dollar assets and in helping build the portfolio of the Nation.”

Vice President Jonathan Nez joined Parrish during the report before the 23rd Navajo Nation Council.

“On behalf of President Begaye a nd I, we ex tend thanks to our colleagues on the Navajo Nation Council for passing the Navajo Nation Veterans Act,” Vice President Nez said. “Once again, we ask for your unanimous support of Jim Parris as Navajo Nation Controller.

Navajo Nation Controller Jim R. Parris

We selected him because of his strong background as a CPA and we have every confidence that he will restore our financial structure back in order, he added.

“This confirmation of Mr. Parris will increase the financial viability of our tribe and foster confidence from outside entities to invest in the Navajo Nation,” Vice President Nez said.

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WEEKLY CRIME BLOTTER Staff Reports

LOCAL PROPRIETOR IN HOT WATER GALLUP, 1/22 Reports are sketchy at best on what occurred at Steve Coleman’s residence and how things escalated from there. Two of his neighbor’s dogs were reportedly shot at, and one died. Coleman has some past convictions, and as a felon, he’s supposed to stay clear of firearms. Coleman and his wife are the proprietors of Nugget Gallery, and were the target of thieves in recent months.

He’s facing a ra nge of charges: possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon; two counts of conspiracy to commit extreme cruelty to animals; negligent use of a deadly weapon; four counts of criminal damage to

property; and multiple counts of receiving stolen property between $500-$1,000. He is currently scheduled for a preliminary examination hearing in Magistrate Court Feb. 3.

SPIT ASSAULT GALLUP, 1/20 G a l l u p P o l i c e Department O f f icer R y a n Blackgoat was spat on a nd cursed at while responding to a call about two men arguing about jewelry at the Hacienda Motel. Myron Gray, 26, and his friend were getting along fine when the officer arrived, but a witness told Blackgoat that they were intoxicated and causing problems at the motel.

The trouble started when Gray got into a vehicle with his friend. When Blackgoat asked him to get out of the vehicle things escalated from there and Gray turned combative.

The officer put a “spit mask”

on him. He was booked for battery on a police officer and for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.

AN HONEST MOM GALLUP, 1/19 T i l f o r d Wilson’s mom notified police, telling them t h a t her s o n must have “gotten into someone’s place because there is items at her residence that she doesn’t know of,” according to GPD Officer Daniel Brown’s repor t. Wilson repor tedly tried to deny knowing where the assor ted construction items, placed in two large plastic bags, came from. He said that he found one of the items under a tree.

The items belong to local contracting company DePauli Engineering and were return t o ow ner M a rc DePa u l i.

Wilson, 26, was booked for larceny theft from a motor vehicle.

ATTEMPT TO HIDE PARAPHERNALIA GALLUP, 1/17 Witness statements led police to discover drug pa rapher nalia placed in a tra shca n, shor tly a f ter Saed Al-Assi reportedly ran a stop sign at Williams and Highway 66 and hit another vehicle. GPD Officer Steven Peshlakai stated in his report that witnesses told him that after the accident, Al-Assi made several trips to a trash can at a nearby gas station.

Pe sh l a k a i ret r ieved a syringe, and a spoon with a cotton with burnt brown residue on it from the trash. A K9 officer had detected something suspicious about the vehicle, causing police to seal it for evidence. Al-Assi, 38, was arrested for drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, and running a stop sign.

KNIFE-WIELDING MAN GALLUP, 1/17 Wal-Mart asset protection workers got a good scare when Jordan Canuto repor tedly pulled a knife on them when they confronted him about a possible theft. According to

GPD Officer Matthew Ashley’s report, Canuto went to Home Depot next where he pulled his knife on Ashley. The officer tasered him, but that didn’t faze Canuto, and he took off running down one of the aisles.

When Ashley and Officer Tsosie had him cornered, he sat down his weapon. When he became combative again, Tsosie “drive stunned Jordan on the right chest” with his taser. He was arrested for one count of aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon; two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; and two charges of resisting and evading arrest.

CAR THIEF NABBED GALLUP, 1/15 Probably not a good idea to warm up your vehicle and leave it unattended, but most people do it anyway as it’s unpleasant to sit down in a freezing cold vehicle. Thanks t o O n St a r a nd t he qu ick actions of police, the vehicle was located and Victor Bedonie, 30, was arrested at 1706 S. Second St. for unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

Local biz owner assaulted in parking lot

By Babette Herrmann, Sun Correspondent

A

local businessman was severely beaten a f ter stopping to help a woman being assaulted by her boyfriend in the parking lot of the El Rancho Hotel during the early evening hours of Jan. 22.

Tim Adcock, who owns Ted’s Pawn with his father Bud Adcock, had attempted to help the woman, identified as Gabrielle Lee, and was sucker punched from behind, according to sources. Lee’s boyfriend, Daniel Henio, and the man that allegedly hit Adcock from behind, both began beating on Adcock.

When GPD Officer Charles Steele arrived, Adcock had already been transported to the hospital with serious head injuries. Steele stated in his

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Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

Daniel Henio

report that Daniel Henio was fighting with the “other guys” that were trying to help Lee. He also noted that Raynaldo Henio, the suspect’s brother, had blood stains on his right

ASSAULTED | SEE PAGE 9 NEWS

WEEKLY DWI REPORT Staff Reports Legal limit is .08. ENDWI Sherry Frances Juarez Jan. 3, 3:31 am DWI Gallup Police Department Officer Daniel Brown spotted a GMC Suburban sitting stationa r y at a stop sign at Carver and Maloney.

When he approached Juarez, 35, her head was hanging out the window and she appeared to be sleeping, according to the report. When she came to, she seemed dazed. She blew a .13, twice, during the breath test.

Kayla M. Chapo Jan. 1, 4:25 am DWI Chapo, 28, was a dead giveaway. GPD Officer Darius Johnson pulled up behind her Buick that was stopped in the middle of U.S. Route 491. When he approached the vehicle he noticed that she was face down in the steering wheel with the car still in drive and her foot on the brake. Chapo didn’t pass the field sobriety tests and blew a .11 and .10 during the alcohol content breath tests.

Russell J. Watson Jan. 1, 1:34 am Aggravated DWI Watson, 34, was spott ed by GPD Officer Jessie Diaz while he was heading to a not her c a l l.

He o b s e r v e d Watson traveling eastbound on Highway 66 with no headlights on. He admitted to coming from the Shalimar and that he had four can of Pabst about an hour before being pulled over. The smell of alcohol and slurred speech were apparent, according to the report.

There was also an open beer and some “99 Apple” bottles. He blew a .19 and .18 during the breath tests – more than double the legal limit.

Lorena A. Tso Dec. 31, 6:58 pm 2nd DWI Getting behind the wheel NEWS

drunk and upset resu lted i n a crash that hurt three other people. According t o G P D Officer Cindy Romancito’s report, Tso, 41, admitted to drinking two bottles of wine and leaving the party because of some altercation between two other people.

Tso was also injured in the accident, as she crashed into a pole after swiping the other vehicle. She was taken to a local hospital to treat a cut to her head and for a blood draw to determine blood alcohol content. Her initial breath test registered a .224.

Shelly Johnson Dec. 31, 3:26 am Aggravated DWI A choice to have a can of “Mike’s” after getting off work at midnight proved costly for Johnson. GPD Officer Philamina Chischilly arrived after Johnson, 24, had been pulled over by another officer. She had bloodshot eyes, the strong smell of alcohol on her breath and slurred speech. She refused to take the field sobriety and breath tests, earning her the charge of Aggravated DWI. Karley Padilla Dec. 29, 1:38 am Aggravated DWI Padilla was a l rea dy d r iving recklessly when McKinley County Sheriff Office Deputy Arnold J. Noriega started pursuing her vehicle on south Route 491. She finally pulled over and possessed the obvious signs of intoxication.

According to the report she refused to take the field sobriety and breath tests.

Wanda T. Nelson Dec. 29, 2:30 am 2nd DWI It’s not clear from MCSO Deputy Johnson L e e’s r e p o r t what Nelson ran into that caused heavy damage to the driver’s side door and a

flat tire. Lee pulled her over as she was driving with the flat tire down Highway 608, near Jefferson Avenue. The signs of intoxication were there. The results of both of her breath tests were .14.

Shirley Charley Dec. 27, 2:18 am 3rd DWI, Aggravated Ch a rley i s another driver that appeared to have been in some sort of a cc ident . A n of f icer noted that there was “fresh damage” on the passenger side door, according to GPD Officer Matthew Ashley’s report. She was parked in the alleyway on south First Street, facing the wrong way.

It was also noted that she had two cans of Bud Light in the center cup holder – one open, and another closed. She refused to take the breath tests and was charged with a third aggravated DWI. Deandra Joy Morris Dec. 27, 12:40 am Aggravated DWI Morris, 35, was pulled over on West H ig hway 66 for we av i n g.

According to Officer Johnson’s report, she said, “I’m not going to be honest with you officer. I’m not going to lie. I was drinking and driving and just trying to get home.” She blew a .19 and .18 during the breath tests.

Derrick Billy Dec. 26, 7:13 pm DWI Billy had “crashed into the drive thru area” at McDonald’s on Route 491, a ccord i ng to GPD O f f ic er Carmelita James report. Billy, 35, had a laceration on his face and was bleeding. He was also disorderly, and was “kicking the patrol car door,” and was argumentative. He was transported to a local hospital where he was reportedly combative toward hospital staff. He eventually agreed to have his blood drawn to later determine his blood alcohol content.

ASSAULTED | FROM PAGE 8 knuckles and “gave the impression” that he didn’t want to talk with the officer, the report states.

It’s not clea r from the repor t if he wa s involved with the assault on Adcock.

But another witness, by the name of Jeff Montano, said Raynaldo Henio had struck him as he too tried to stop the assault on Lee. Henio was taken to detox.

Steele went to a local hospital to check on the condition of Adcock, who had major swelling to his right eye and an indentation to his right temple area. He was bleeding from his mouth and nose. He

took photos of the injuries, and Adcock said that he was assaulted by the man who was beating on his girlfriend.

Daniel Henio was booked for aggravated battery, and battery on a peace officer, which details are not listed in this report.

A return visit to the hospital revealed that Adcock had suffered a fracture to both eye sockets and a broken nose.

Adcock even had the shape of a shoe on his face, which matched the bottom of Daniel Henio’s shoes.

The case has been referred to the District Attorney for further review. Meanwhile, Adcock will need reconstructive surgery to repair the damages to his skull.

Man found in car DEATH LIKELY ACCIDENTAL, POLICE SAY

By Shepherd Waldenberger Sun Correspondent

G

allup Police D e p a r t m e n t responded to a call at 507 S. 8th St. before the noon hour on Jan. 27, regarding a man who had passed away in his vehicle.

The ma n, identif ied a s A lexa nder Diaz, 52, of

Gallup, was last seen alive at 8 pm the night before. The cause of death is pending an autopsy and toxicology testing, but GPD Sgt. Roseanne Kavzlarich said the initial investigation revealed that “he had a plug in heater in the car that may have caught fire,” and he may have breathed in carbon monoxide from the smoke while sleeping, leading to his death.

Medical investigators approach the vehicle containing a body, while police standby. Photo Credit: Shepherd Waldenberger

Law Office of Barry Klopfer P.C. Barry KIopfer Attorney at Law

Practice Areas: DWI Defense Semi-Truck Accidents Navajo Employment Law 224 W. Coal Ave. Gallup, NM 87301 Klopferlaw.com

Phone: (505) 722-9331 Fax: (505) 722-9335

Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

9

Poll shows support for crime prevention over punishment

By Matthew Reichbach NM Political Report

A

poll finds that New Mexico voters say that crime prevention should be a priority over punishment.

The group Center for Civic Policy, a progressive group based out of Albuquerque, commissioned the poll from Third Eye Strategies. The group opposes many of the bills to increase penalties that have been introduced this year.

The poll comes a s Republicans, especially leadership in the House, have focused the early days of the session largely on legislation that increases penalties for certain crimes.

House Democrats have instead focused much of their attention on ethics, though the legislation they introduced has not yet been given the OK to be heard by Gov. Susana Martinez.

A polling memo showed some of the questions; when asked about expanding the three strikes law “for anyone who commits three violent crimes” against focusing “more resources on programs like early-education, drug abuse treatment, mental health service and family crisis intervention” 35 percent favored “harsher penalties” while 49 percent favored “crime prevention programs.”

“Clearly, the proven way to protect our communities is to invest more resources in

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programs like early-education, drug abuse treatment, drug courts, mental health services, and family crisis intervention,” Oriana Sandoval, Executive Director of the Center for Civic Policy said. “New Mexicans

understa nd this a nd they deserve better than the kneejerk proposals in front of our legislature now.”

The poll also asked about “teen curfew laws.” On this question, the poll found that 47

percent favor, while 46 percent oppose allowing municipalities to impose such laws; more strongly favor (30 percent) than strongly opposed (26 percent).

In other words, it was evenly split.

“Three strikes laws and mandatory teen curfews are failed policies and simply don’t reduce crime rates,” Sandoval said. “Diverting important police resources to criminalizing our youth, not to mention the increased costs of incarceration, are also important factors to consider this year, as state budget revenue is much reduced.”

The poll also found that the top two issues for voters were “schools” and “education.”

However, this poll came well before the session began and well before much of media attention in the state focused on crime.

Visit: www.nmpoliticalreport.com

Gallup High targeted with bogus bomb threat

By Shepherd Waldenberger

G

allup High School went on lock down around 10:15 am Jan 27 due to a bomb threat. No one except police were allowed to enter, and many parents who came for the wrestling meet were stuck waiting outside the fenced in area.

Everyone inside school grounds was evacuated out to the area behind the building.

Early reports suggest that the bomb threat was called in, as well as being written on the

Police were the only ones allowed to enter Gallup High School during a lockdown Jan. 27 due to a bomb threat. Photo Credit: Shepherd Waldenberger

wall of a girls’ bathroom.

Police conducted a thorough search of the building,

and no explosives were found.

The lockdown ceased shortly before noon.

Body discovered in arroyo identified Staff Report

G

allup Police Department detectives are up in the air on the cause of death of Derek Smith, 38, of Gallup.

Police were called to the scene shortly after 9 am on Jan. 26.

Smith was found with his pants down to his knees in an arroyo behind Crystal Car

10

Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

Wash on 2620 E. Aztec. He wasn’t wearing a coat, and was dressed in a grey sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and black Nike shoes. He appeared to have a blood stain on the back of his sweatshirt and blood on his head.

It’s not clear how long the man was down and out in the arroyo, but a police department official said it was at

least through the overnight hours.

T he v ic t i m’s c au s e of death is under investigation, and autopsy and toxicology results are pending. Autopsy, or cause of death, should be revealed to police within 24-48 hours.

“It takes 6 to 8 weeks for toxicology test results to come in,” GPD Capt. Rick White said.

NEWS

Begaye signs first Native Veterans Act into law Staff Report

W

I N DOW ROCK , Ariz. – On Jan. 26, the 23rd Navajo Nation Cou nci l unanimously approved the Navajo Veterans Act, which will serve to establish the Nav a jo Na t ion Ve t er a n s Administration and Advisory Council.

“The Begaye-Nez Administration has committed the efforts of pertinent departments and resources t o pu s h i n g t h i s le g i s l a tion forward and having it approved by the 23rd Navajo Nation Council,” President Ru s sel l Begaye sa id. “By communicating directly with commanders at the agency and local level, hand-in-hand with our veterans, we were able to accomplish what no other administration before has been able to do.”

Up until this point, the Office of the President and Vice President (OPVP) had set forth in presenting the Veterans Act through public outreach meetings held in communities across the Navajo Nation under the lead of OPVP Veteran’s Liaison Jamescita Peshlakai.

The schedule of public hearings provided veterans the opportunity to comment and make critical suggestions toward creating a veterans administration that would be most beneficial to them.

“President Begaye and I promised the veterans that we would get the Veterans Act approved and we made good on our word,” Vice President Nez said. “We committed to creating a Veteran’s Liaison position within OPVP, which we did with Jamescita Peshlakai.

We commend her for her coordination of the public outreach meetings. To see the passing of the Veteran’s Act is a credit to both her efforts and the involvement of Navajo Veterans.”

OPVP Veterans Liaison Jamescita Peshlakai (left) stands next to Council Delegate Jonathan Hale, who sponsored the legislation, and Edsel Pete from the Department of Navajo Veterans Affairs along with a gathering of veterans who attended Tuesday’s Council session to support the passing of the Navajo Veterans Act. Photo Credit: Courtesy

Peshlakai said the passing of the legislation is truly significant for all indigenous people as they have been protectors of their traditional homelands for centuries.

“This Act provides our veterans the opportunity to mold services and benefits with our culture, our traditions, and our language for the purpose of taking care of our warriors who have returned from service.”

Peshlakai added that the Act is inclusive of all returning warriors: men, women, disabled or challenged.

“It creates a family community that our suffering warriors can return to and be embraced in,” she said.

The legislation establishes a Veterans Administration which serves to enhance outreach to Navajo veterans, as well as services and benefits.

It also establishes a Veterans Advisory Council that encourages veteran participation in policy matters.

Edsel Pete, Department

Check out our FREE access community website! www.gallupsun.com NEWS

Manager for the Department of Navajo Veterans Affairs, said the Act provides an opportunity for the veterans to come to the table to help shape policy that affects their services and benefits.

“It’s an oppor tunity to instill hope in veterans across the Navajo Nation. It’s also an opportunity to create an interface of resources for veterans and services,” he said. “We would like to thank the veterans for their involvement and support. The support of OPVP was crucial as well.”

The Navajo Veterans Act

Josie J Paiz

e st abl i she s t he Veter a n s Administration under the Office of the President and Vice President with an advisory council consisting of eleven members from each Navajo Agency.

Director of the Depar tment of Behav ioral He a lt h S er v ic e, T her e s a Galvin said beyond enhancing vetera ns ser v ices, the Vet er a n s Ad m i n i s t r a t ion will build toward meeting the critical demand of services for veterans which have gone unfulfilled until now.

“We a re going to ma rk

this monumental occasion with a celebratory signing because it’s what our veterans deserve,” President Begaye said. “This is just the beginning of our administration’s commitment to fulfilling the objectives of our pillars. The top pillar being to serve our Navajo Veterans.”

The Navajo Veterans Act, L e g i s l a t ion No. 0 0 0 6 -16 , was sponsored by Council Delegate Jonathan Hale and co -sponsored by Delegate Ed mu nd Ya zzie. The Act passed unanimously with a vote of 20-0.

102 E. Aztec Gallup Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

11

Bigfoot in New Mexico Evidence, Ecology, and Behavior

2/11/2016 4pm to 6pm • Lectures • Evidence • Book signing

2/12/2016 10am to 12pm • Talking circle with the experts and eye witnesses

UNM Gallup, Room 220 SSTC featuring renowned expert Dr. Jeff Meldrum Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology at Idaho State University Author of Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science

and Rob Kryder, New Mexico naturalist See video of Bigfoot on the San Juan River, cast footprints, photographs, audio recordings, and more 12

Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

OPINIONS State Legislators Plan to Raid the OHV Sticker Fund for the Fourth Time!

READ THIS ALERT CAREFULLY. YOUR OHV STICKER FUND MONEY IS BEING STOLEN AGAIN!!

By NM Off Highway Vehicle Alliance

W

e are angry and disgusted to a n nou nce that, once again, the NM Legislature pla ns to stea l you r st ate “OH V sticker funds”. The Senate’s General Appropriation Bill, Senate Bi l l 158 (SB1582) raids the OHV Trail Safety Fund (aka the “sticker fund”) for $500,000. That’s right, a half million dollars is in their crosshairs. That is money we all paid into the fund that is supposed to be used for OHV safety and education programs. Adding insult to injury, the stolen funds would be given to State Parks, where

motorized recreation is completely prohibited.

T he T ra i l Sa fet y F u nd is 100% funded by us, from the special taxes that only we OH Ver’s pay when we register our dirt bikes and ATV/UTV’s. The Fund was established by the 2005 OHV Act. The Act says it is “dedicated funding”, meaning it is protected and not part of general revenues. The Act a llows the money only to

be spent as described in the OHV Act. The 2005 OHV Act was “sold” to the public as a long-term commitment to OHV safety and education.

N MOH VA suppor t ed t h at Act. Now our trust is being betrayed again. The state legislature is showing us (again) that is doesn’t care what’s in the OHV Act; they smell the money and they want it!

N M O H VA h a s s p e n t the last year working with bot h t he New Mex ico D e p a r t m e n t of G a m e & F i sh a nd R epre s ent a t ive Stepha nie Ga rcia Richa rd from the Legislative Finance Com m it tee to en su re we didn’t have a repeat of last year’s sticker fund raid. Rep. Garcia Richard represents Los

MADAME G

Alamos and your NMOHVA President is a constituent of hers. NMOHVA board worked hard and early on this over the summer and fall of 2015, when Interim Committees are meeting. But in spite of our best efforts, there is AGAIN a $500,000 raid. This transfer of money from the Trail Safety Fund to State Parks is described in the Senate’s General Appropriations bill (SB158). The House version of the General Appropriation bill doesn’t include details yet so we will focus our energies, for now, on SB158.

The bill is currently in the hands of the Senators who make up the Senate’s Committees’ Committee. . The bill does not yet appear on the

agenda for a hearing. The first thing we need to do is get the attention of the Senators on this committee, let them know that we know what the Senate is going to try to do, and that we are opposed to it and to the betrayal of public trust it shows. A phone call to each Senator’s office is the best way to be heard. Here are the members of the Committees’ Committee. Clicking on each Senator’s name will take you directly to their contact information including both office phone number and email: Call the Senator’s office and you will speak to a staff per son who a n swer s t he

FUND | SEE PAGE 14

GUIDE TO THE STARS WEEK OF JAN. 29 - FEB. 4

In the spirit of fun and Internet memes, Madame G suggests: be like Aquarius. The key characteristics of this Sun sign are: thoughtfulness, devotion, and understanding. Aquarians innovate wherever they work from fast food to state government. They don’t ignore good ideas. Aquarians are smart. Be like an Aquarian.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct.22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You’re determined, strong, and greatly admired. You’re also misunderstood.

Your challenge, should you chose to accept it—RELAX. All good things come to those who wait. As people of action, anything passive strikes you as wrong. This year requires patience.

You’ll get where you’re going, but don’t burn out before you get there.

You’re good at what you do and you enjoy it. But, sometimes other people have good ideas too. Your challenge is learning to work with others cooperatively. Believe it or not this is good. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. Keep in mind the old adage, “many hands make light work.” You’ll be glad you shared the burden—it’s rewarding.

Aquarius is a fellow air sign, but unlike you, their sign is fixed.

Meaning they make well-informed decisions. You have difficulty picking a flavor at Baskin Robins.

Yes, you’re indecisive and it’s not usually a problem. But, you may have noticed some strange disruptions with Mercury in Retrograde. Your balanced communication with friends and family was out of whack. There will be consequences. Stay strong and look forward.

Your global debut is near. You’re due for some accolades. Just remember to show up for your own rewards show.

Your challenge is to stop working so hard. Enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

The journey is important, but you should also look back and admire how far you’ve come. You deserve it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Your love life is looking up. Your challenge: don’t put up with more than you should. It’s not quitting when you’re looking out for the needs of children and yourself. You’re not a complainer. You know there are challenges and you accept them.

Don’t give yourself a heart attack with stress and heartache. Suffering isn’t a virtue. Live a little.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Communication is your strong point it’s a significant aspect of your personality and Sun sign. Your challenge is learning the difference between articulating your feelings and over-sharing. It’s a tactic in negotiations to overwhelm the competition with information, but this tactic usually works once.

Remember these wise words: “you can’t bullshit a bull-shitter.”

OPINIONS

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) The theme for you this year is money.

You’ll make it and save it, if you plan ahead. The force of your personality is usually positive. Your challenge: slow down and listen. Try to have patience for those with a seeming lack of talent and energy. Remember not everyone is as cool as you. Don’t be mean, and show respect. They may surprise you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Your opportunities are endless at the moment. Everyone is vying for your attention. Your challenge is to accept these opportunities and expand your horizons. Show no fear Virgo. You have the experience, talent, and drive to take on the world. It’s up to you to stand on your own two feet and run.

Madame G foresees great things in your future.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Last week was a drag and it may have felt, as if all your plans were falling through. This week proves fruitful and you had a beautiful recovery.

What a difference a day makes.

Your challenge: don’t waste energy on anger. You’ve proved capable of withstanding the storm—the proper people have noticed. You’ve won.

Don’t gloat openly. You may indulge in a small smile when you’re alone.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You’re a tough cookie and you know it. But, the ones you love have incredible influence over you. Your challenge is taking care of yourself while protecting loved ones. This is no easy task and yet it’s necessary for a healthy life. Sometimes you’re destructive, but now you’re acting self-destructively. Think before you act.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Show the world your positive traits. They require direction. Your challenge: don’t forget your humanity.

Aquarius doesn’t ignore a global crisis even if it’s in another county or in Flint, Michigan. You’ve already calculated innovative ways to help and alleviate the problem. Wherever you are, be you, and take action.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Work has been tearing you down a bit and your relationships are deteriorating. Accept that not everyone will accept you, and that’s okay. Shakespeare said: “To thine own self be true.” Sure, that was the evil guy from Hamlet, but the words are still mostly true no matter who said them. You can only live for someone else for so long. Live for you and live strong.

Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

13

My Healthy Vet is an Effective Tool

By Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

T

he A-Team meeting on Jan. 22 at the ole 2nd Street Fire Station was very informative for those in attendance. Every veteran is welcome to attend these mostly administrative gatherings.

The main topic of the discussion on this day was the ability of veterans to take better care of themselves. Some do, but the majority doesn’t.

One tool developed by the VA is MyHealthyVet.com, a program designed to develop a baseline for the vet, and a permanent record of contacts with the VA. Medications and appointments for treatment become easier and quicker with less hassle, and according to the input to this conversation, can be vital in maintaining the health of many. This is not the same as the “Doctor in a box,” which has justifiably come under massive criticism. This is more about having an outlet to provide the client with recommendations and other tools that may provide a better overall care.

If vets need assistance with this the fire station has two Internet-ready computers and personnel may be there as well

FUND | FROM PAGE 13 phone. Tell them you want to register an opinion on Senate Bill 158. Tell them THREE THINGS: 1) The Trail Safety Fund consists only of special user fees and is required by the 2005 OHV Act to only be spent as described in that Act. 2) We are tired and frust r at ed w it h t he S en at e’s breach of public trust and good faith as evidenced by breaking the law (the 2005 OHV Act) for the fourth time.

We will hold them personally accountable if the Trail Safety Fund is raided again this year.

3) The Trail Safety Fund has been raided for so much money that the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish financial projections show that the OHV Program will be operating in the red by 2020.

14

to aid in this matter. To ensure this, please call Dave first at 879-3333.

The names of the sick and afflicted, though never totally complete, received ex t ra prayers and thoughts from this group. Included among them were: Mike Schmaltz, Stephan Mahnkee, Pete Juarez, Tommy Bustamante, Steven Tobey, Lionel Gutierrez, Bill Martinez and Andy Herrera.

Dav id Cuellar also mentioned a contact with Ceremonial President Dudley Byerley about parking concessions. That meeting is still in the future and will be announced when details are finalized.

A point of order was discussed for regular meetings and it was decided that rebuttals to any speakers will not be allowed during those times.

Questions may be allowed during those sessions set up for them, otherwise the point/ counterpoint uses up time and does not solve any potential problems.

It was agreed to recommend a change in the pillars at the courthouse to include only the names of veterans who served in a war theater of operations, including in those nearby but not in-country units actively supporting troops on

the ground.

A new order of long-sleeved, red T-shirts has been ordered with the Veterans Helping Veterans logo on the front, although Felix Martinez will no longer be in charge of sales.

His medical problems are first priority and a replacement will be found to continue this profitable operation.

A raffle has been scheduled for a two-piece, six-foot tall toolbox donated by Pep Boys with a value of $700. The large container is on wheels and only 150 tickets will be sold, at $5 each. The raffle will be held as soon as all the tickets are sold.

Cuellar reported the VA is actively seeking doctors for the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Gallup.

The VA is being assisted in this matter by RMCH and County Commissioner Tony Tanner.

Cuellar also reported that the new Veterans Cemetery will not begin construction until Spring of 2017. Local politicians did not actively support this area, getting behind the Bayard area instead, which caused the local cemetery to be delayed almost a full year.

The next general meeting is in Don Diego’s on Jan. 29 and the next meeting of the A-Team is scheduled for Feb. 5 at the fire station.

This jeopardizes the safety of New Mexico’s children, who need the OHV training programs that the fund is supposed to pay for.

The 2nd, and most important, thing to do is to call your own State Senator and Representative. You can find their contact information, even if you don’t know who it is, by going to: ht t p: // w w w.n m le gis.gov:8080/ Members/ Find_My_Legislator Once you have the contact information, call their office.

When you call a politician, the first thing the staff asks is if you are a voter in their district. After assuring them that you are, we suggest you tell them only one thing: We are holding you personally responsible for your vote on this matter. If you vote to steal money from the Trail Safety Fund, you will

never get our vote again. Ever.

Regardless of party affiliation, regardless of how you personally feel about the raid, regardless of anything. If we can’t trust our legislators to follow the law they passed in the 2005 OHV Act, we need to vote them out of office. Period.

We don’t think this is too ha r sh. T he Senator s a nd Representatives have proven they don’t “get it”. This will be the fourth time they have stolen Trail Safety Fund money as part of the state’s annual budget. They are breaking the law they passed in 2005.

They passed annual budgets that raided the trail safety fund in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

Now they’re doing it again in 2016. Gov. Richardson vetoed the raid in 2009. But we lost $500,000 in 2011 and another $500,000 in 2015. Only a huge outcry from the public can stop this thievery.

Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

Ensuring that veterans continue to receive the healthcare promised

By Carolie Watkins Guest Columnist

C

ongressional Resea rch Ser v ice, which provides analysis for Congress, issued a 2003 report that found veterans were not entitled to free medical care for life, even though they may have been promised exactly that by their recruiters.

Since 1956, veterans and their families can be treated at military medical facilities “subject to the availability of space and facilities and the capabilities of the medical and dental staff,” the report found.

“They have no right to military health care and the military services have total discretion in when and under what circumstances retirees and their dependents will get care in military treatment facilities,” the report said.

Several veterans have taken their claims to court, alleging that recruiters promised them free medical care, but one court ruled that such promises did not constitute a contract, the report said.

Moreover, since recruiters do not have the authority to make such promises, there is no way to enforce them, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in 2002. The Supreme Court later refused to hear the case, ending the matter.

“The courts, and other analysts, have noted that allowing these claims to create such an obligation would thwart the Constitutional role of Congress (i.e., prevent the Congress from determining the compensation and benefits of the armed forces) and create a situation wherein military personnel/ retirees (and potentially al other federal employees) could create or expand their own benefits with popular myth or rumor and without review,” the CRS report found.

According to the VA website: “The number of Veterans who can be enrolled in the health care program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year.

Since funds are limited, VA set up Priority Groups to make

sure that certain groups of Veterans are able to be enrolled before others…. Based on eligibility and income, some Veterans may have to agree to pay [a] copay to be placed in certain Priority Groups and some Veterans may not be eligible for enrollment.”

In March 2014, VA eliminated the annual requirement for updated financial information. VA now uses information from the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration to automatically match individual Veterans’ income information which reduces the burden on Veterans to keep their healthcare eligibility up to date. That change better aligned VA’s health care financial assessment program with other federal health care organizations.

Questioned where did VA get the right to access personal private tax records, response: “It was in Obamacare Act” How can an Act for medical care take away American private information. It also gives the right to access spouse’s income information. NSA is nothing compared to VA! The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating the way it determines eligibility for VA health care, a change that will result in more Veterans having access to the health care benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

Effective 2015, VA eliminated the use of net worth as a determining factor for both health care programs and co-payment responsibilities. This change makes VA health care benefits more accessible to lower-income Veterans and brings VA policies in line with Secretary Bob McDonald’s MyVA initiative which reorients VA around Veterans’ needs. ( Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 12:41 pm, Posted in News Releases, Top Stories by Tim Hudak, WA) Now, many Vietnam era veterans are approaching 70 years old and they are still excluded unless they qualify for “VA welfare.” This is insulting and demeaning since the American

HEALTHCARE | SEE PAGE 15 OPINIONS

COMMUNITY ‘Teacher of the Month’ follows in her mom’s teaching footsteps

By Chrissy Largo Sun Correspondent

F

ourth grade teacher Elna Go, of Red Rock Elementary School, knew her calling to become a teacher at a young age because she watched her mother teach first graders at the same public school she was attending.

Go, nominated for this month’s Camille’s Sidewalk Café, “Teacher of the Month,” describes her mom as being dedicated and sincere as a teacher. She calls her a role model. And she admires her mom the most for helping her students by feeding and clothing them.

With her mom always on her mind, Go is embarking on a similar journey. Originally from a southern island in the Philippines, called Mindanao, Go and her family arrived in the United States in 2004 and resided in Chicago. In Chicago, she taught preschool for almost 11 years at a private school.

Eventually she decided to move into a public school setting and she maintained

HEALTHCARE | FROM PAGE 14 people, through their elected representatives, promised veterans free VA health care regardless of income or other qualifications.

This violates the terms that were in place during their service since Congress mandated that all veterans would be eligible for free VA health care. According to Vietnam era Veterans, “Making this disgraceful condition even more painful is the fact that many reser vists from this same timeframe, who did not serve full time, are fully eligible for medical benefits because their stateside reserve units «signed them up.» How can any full-time military member serving from 1966 -1973 be denied medical assistance COMMUNITY

her license to teach K-12 grades. In all, Go has earned a B a c h e l o r ’s d e g r e e i n Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration.

This school year will be her first time teaching in a public school, and so far, she loves teaching the fourth grade.

“I want my kids to be on top,” she said. “I am trying my best to teach them the right way. When I see that they understand the lesson that I am trying to present to them, that is the best rewarding part.”

What she also finds rewarding as a teacher is the love and respect that is felt by her students.

“I am able impart my knowledge and I am able to mold the children to proper behavior, proper guidance so that they can grow someday into somebody who is successful,” she said.

As for the Gallup area, she says that the area is not as busy as Chicago, but the people, especially her co-teachers, are “absolutely awesome.”

She once heard through the grapevine that teaching when others who served in a temporary role, here in the United States, for only six months, are given coverage?

Talk about a «donut hole.»

9/11 first responders are being treated in the same fashion, they were given tenyear insurance guaranty and now as they age they face the same issues as Veterans. How can we the USA, the greatest nation on earth do this to those who gave and give so much?

While we send millions to other nations that try to kill and defeat us? God’s predictions are coming true as he says he will take care of his children and destroy those who try to hurt them. This makes our Countries problems predicted and only the righteous can change it. We need to make our representatives in Washington righteous again.

Teacher of the Month Mrs. Go stands in the reading nook of her classroom at Red Rock Elementary. Photo Credit: Shepherd Waldenberger

fourth grade was not easy; however, she finds it an easy grade to instruct. She believes that the students are at a stage where they understand what you are trying to teach them. One of the major lessons that she tries to teach is good behavior.

“Behavior is number one.

I told them, no matter how smart you are, if your behavior is poor it will pull you down,” she said.

She talked about the usefulness of technology and how it makes education easier for her students as compared to her mom’s students, but she stresses that proper guidance is needed, especially when they are home.

“With that, we have to be very careful, also, because if you let them do that all the time, it will not be used in the right way,” she said.

One of her most memorable moments as a teacher at

Red Rock Elementary School, was the day her students did not recognize her because she wore jeans to school for casual Friday.

“I was standing here and the kids came in and said, ‘Who is that?’” she said. “One student did not recognize me! Then, I turned around and he said, ‘Good morning, Mrs. Go!’ and I said, ‘Good morning!’ and he said, ‘Mrs. Go, I did not recognize you becau se you a lways look fancy every day.’ I said, ‘Oh, thank you!’”

As a creative outlet, she enjoys making jewelry. Usually, she dons the very jewelry she creates. She enjoys dressing up and hosting functions, such as weddings, and being in the public eye.

She shares that the best advice she ever received is to be sincere, dedicated, and flexible with all of the work that you do.

This December she plans on taking a trip back home to the Philippines to see her oldest son and her three grandchildren. Since starting her career at Red Rock Elementary last August, she has not had much time to explore, what she calls, the “Land of Enchantment,” but it’s something she plans to do with her family.

“Although Mrs. Go is new to Red Rock Elementary, she is an exceptional fourth grade teacher. The students enjoy being in her class and her curriculum is of high rigor,” Sharmyn Munoz, principal of Red Rock Elementary School said.

Ever y month, Camille’s Sidewalk Café will announce the “Teacher of the Month” and this upcoming summer, look for the announcement of “Teacher of the Year.” To nominate your teacher, fill out an entry form at Camille’s Sidewalk Café, 306 S. Second St. in Gallup.

Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

15

Beautify Gallup from the bottom up Story & Photos

by Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

H

P Coalition, a local non-profit, is managed and operated by Mitchel Hicklin, and his story is very interesting.

Born in Ft. Defiance as one of a set of twins, Hicklin had a very tough infancy. His mother and father were both addicted to alcohol, and shortly after his twin died as a result of exposure on the McKinley County Courthouse steps, Mitchel was taken into temporary state custody. He was later released back to his mother, but only until his father’s alcohol-fueled rage caught up with her.

His father beat the mother to death and served out his life in prison.

The state retained permanent custody until an Anglo family was found to take him home with them. That home was in Texas, and though Hickline did not learn of it for a few years, the family was racially prejudiced in the extreme.

“I ran away from them when I was 14,” Hicklin said from his comfortable if rumpled office.

“I found more equality on the streets.

“I came back to the area in 2003 and tried to re-unite with my biological family, a sister.

That didn’t go well – she took money and partied it away. I haven’t seen her since.

“I got treatment for mental and emotional instability and lived homeless on the North side of town where I hustled for work of any kind. My longest

Mitchel Hicklin stands proudly next to his stake-bodied work truck, wearing the vest with sponsors’ names sewn into place.

steady job since 1986 until 2001 had been 90 days, so I didn’t have a resume’ but I did know how to do jobs that required manual labor.

“I met a lot of people who visited Safeway and other businesses and finally established myself as a steady and reliable worker.”

Among them were Barbara Quinones who lobbied others for the use of a small frame building for Hicklin to live in, and Linda Jeffries, a widow still depressed over the loss of her husband after five years, who became his secretary and partner in life, who provided a space for the small frame house. Others contributed gravel for a base and a wood stove for warmth, and the nonprofit got going in 2013 with

the addition of more business sponsors to Hicklin’s cause.

“I want to address areas that are not in the budget for the city,” added Hicklin. “It’s important to me that the view of Gallup be presented as a clean place; one where people would like to take their family.

I see many areas where weeds and plants grow unabated and which city workers do nothing about. I know they have other demands on their time as well, but that is where I want to help.”

The main stumbling block seems to be the definition of the anti-donation clause in state law. Although the county seems to be able to work around it, this value received for value given legal term seems to be used quite

a bit in the city government as a means to stop further negotiations.

In November, 2015, the HP Coalition presented a donor appreciation BBQ for their sponsors at the Gallup McKinley County Chamber of Commerce. Attended by about 15 of the sponsors, the event

was actually the two-year anniversary and was enjoyed by all, even though it was not up to the $100-a-plate (or more) quality offered by other local non-profits.

The f lyer printed for HP Coalition informs the reader, ‘This corporation is formed to promote a nd carr y out projects to beautify Gallup, NM and to encourage acts of volunteerism in Gallup.’

The reverse side of the flyer e nc ou r a ge s a nyo ne who wishes to help through prayer, donation, or sponsorship to contact Mitchel at hpcoalition.org or P.O. Box 675, Mentmore, NM 87319.

“From the Bottom Up” also explains the logo of the company, which includes a suckermouth catfish (known also as Hypostomus Plecostomus, which explains the HP). This species of catfish is not good for eating, but is very popular among aquarium owners as it cleans up all the accumulated debris in the tanks. From the bottom up, that’s where the clean up begins, not downtown or in the high dollar areas, but where the weeds and accumulated trash abounds.

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COMMUNITY

Real life heroes prevail in ‘The Finest Hours’

By David Pinson For the Sun

RATING ««« OUT OF 4 STARS RUNNING TIME: 1 HR 57 MIN

S

aturated with a refreshingly old fa shioned sense and sensibility, The Finest Hours is an exciting throwback to the harrowing adventure films of days past. The fact that this is a Disney film makes all the more sense as the story of reallife hero Bernie Webber would have felt right at home alongside Davy Crockett and TrueLife Adventures on Sunday night’s Wonderful World of Disney.

It was 1952 when an unforgiving blizzard hit Cape Cod. Snow fell in thick sheets and the ocean raged. In an unprecedented display of terrible luck, two oil tankers snapped in half off the Massachusetts’ coastline. The coastguard had the resources to help one sinking ship but a second doomed crew? That’s when Bernie Webber (played by Chris Pine) was ordered to take a small group of four men out a tiny boat and do the best he could.

The locals thought it a suicide mission but Webber is focused on the mission: “You gotta go out. They don’t say you gotta come back in.” That’s what he tells his crew. And it is that laser-focused mentality that sets us off on one of the

Chris Pine plays real-life heroic figure Bernie Webber in ‘The Finest Hour.’ Opens in theaters nationwide Jan. 29. Photo Credit: Walt Disney Studios

most heroic rescue missions in American history.

This true life story is incredible. Fifty-plus years ago they did not have the technology we take for granted today. No sonar on the boat, no GPS to guide the blind. Hell, Webber doesn’t even have a compass (!!) to help him find his way.

This is a living miracle story that makes for an inspiring night at the multiplex.

A side from the source material, the film bolsters and impressive cast. Chris Pine as Webber truly transforms himself in the role. Pine is a handsome, confident man in most of his films. You don’t get cast as the new Captain Kirk without some swagger in your walk. In The Finest Hours he turns a polar opposite of his persona, presenting Webber as a quiet, reserved man who struggles

for the respect of those around him. Even his lovely fiancé, Miriam, has to ask him to marry her. Not a big deal now but in sexist 50’s, this was not the norm.

Holliday Grainger plays Miriam with a strong confidence. While her story coping being left ashore while her loved one braves the impossible is important to counter-balance the tension, the filmmakers spend too much

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t i me w it h t he cha ra cter.

There is not enough growth in Miriam to share that much screen time. Keep the film on the boat. Keep the film on the rescue.

The rest of the fine cast is rounded out by manly men pulling manly faces for the cameras. Eric Bana, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck all play their roles with conviction. Affleck is wonderful as the strong-jawed Ray Sybert, one of t he i l l-fat ed men trapped on the sinking tanker.

He looks like a young Errol Flynn and brings the hero vibe better than his brother Ben seems to as Batman.

What really makes T he Finest Hours worth the price of admission is the special ef fect s. T hey a re a l most subtle despite the fact they encompass the screen. You can almost forget that the cast is not really on a boat in a horror-storm. The effects are seamless. However, I don’t think it is necessary to pony up for the 3D ticket. The movie is too dark to achieve the full effect of the 3D. Stay with the standard presentation and you’ll be fine.

While not perfectly paced, The Finest Hours maintains a nice and steady stream of tension. Webber’s story is an interesting one. We need heroes and to reflect on those of the past gave me solace that there are more out there that aren’t relegated to wearing tights in a Marvel Movie.

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Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

17

DVD/Blu-ray Roundup for Jan. 29th, 2016

By Glenn Kay For the Sun

H

ello and welcome to the latest edition of highlights making their debuts on DVD and Blu-ray. Let’s get right to it as there is plenty of variety this time out. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

BIG NEW RELEASES!

The Assassin - A female assassin is hired to eliminate a nobleman in this Chinese period drama. The only problem for the hit lady is that her target used to be her fiance.

This foreign-language effort garnered strong reviews during its limited release a few months back. While some felt the visuals overwhelmed the minimalist story, most felt the painterly photography was so gorgeous that it made the film captivating regardless. It stars Qi Shu, Chen Chang and Satoshi Tsumabuki.

Burnt - An arrogant chef with a drug problem is the subject of this drama. After losing his Michelin status, he attempts to rebuild his career and reputation in a London restaurant. While they appreciated the work of the lead actor, critics weren’t impressed with this effort and complained about the story and screenwriting. Overall, they felt that the end result was stale and lacked an individual flavor.

The impressive cast includes Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Daniel Bruhl, Omar Sy, Emma Thompson, Uma Thurman and Alicia Vikander.

Chi-raq - The latest from director Spike Lee (Do the

18

Right T hing, Inside Man, Oldboy) is a modern adaptation of the Greek play Lysistrata.

After the gang-related shooting of a young boy, the wives and girlfriends of the parties involved institute a sex strike until the violence stops.

Reaction was largely positive while some found it a little disordered, most were impressed with the high energy level, solid performances and unique subject matter. Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, David Patrick Kelly, D.B. Swe eney a nd Dave Chappelle headline.

Goosebumps - This family thriller uses the hugely successful kids books as its inspiration. When a teen from the city moves to a small town, he immediately becomes suspicious of his oddball neighbor.

The youngster soon learns that the secretive individual is author R.L. Stine and the scary creatures from his famous books are very real. The press generally enjoyed the movie, calling it a fun family horror flick that features plenty of laughs and sly nods to the book series. It stars Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan and Ken Marino.

Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

Meet the Patels - AmericanIndian comic Ravi Patel is the subject of this documentary.

The camera crew follows the actor for a year as he attempts to deal with his impatient parents, who desperately want him to find a wife. With some reservations he agrees to let them help find a bride that meets with their expectations.

Reviews were good, calling it a sweet and gentle comedy that examines the pressures associated with following cultural traditions.

The New Girlfriend - While it came out in France back in 2014, this foreign-language effort is only now hitting DVD in North America. After her best friend passes away, a woman arrives to help out the husband with their child. The woman is surprised to discover that the man is a transvestite, leading to an examination of gender roles in relationships.

Notices were strong, suggesting it develops the subject matter in unique and interesting ways. The cast includes Roma in Du r is a nd A na is Demoustier.

Theory of Obscurity: A Film About The Residents This documentary charts the 40 year career of The Residents.

For those who don’t know, this band are an “art-collective” known for their avant-garde music (they have released over 60 albums) and videos. The doc even reveals identities of some of its secretive members. It has played at festivals, and word on the street suggests it’s a good overview of the band, but one that will appeal more to fans than to newcomers.

The Wannabe - Set in 1992, a mob enthusiast follows the trial of John Gotti and attempts to fix it in order to free the defendant and find employment

within the organization. Things do not go according to plan and his actions set off a chain of bizarre events. Notices were mixed for this dark comedy/ drama. Some found the lead character too buffoonish to get behind, although some found it to be an interesting if uneven examination of the problems with hero-worship. It features Michael Imperioli, Patricia Arquette, David Zayas, Vincent Piazza and Doug E. Doug.

middle of life-saving surgery. I wouldn’t count on either being great movies, but they may provide a cheesy chuckle or two.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST! Shout! Factory have an interesting title coming to Bluray in the form of Jack’s Back (1988). It’s a small indie thriller starring James Spader as a doctor investigating a series of Jack the Ripper-style murders near his clinic. If memory serves, it’s decent little thriller with a good twist. The disc includes a new transfer of the movie from the original negative as well as a brand new audio commentary with director Rowdy Herrington (Road House). There’s also a lengthy, original making-of special with interviews from cast and crew members.

They’ve also got the unusual cult item, Sonny Boy (1989).

This one follows a crime boss who steals a car with a baby in it. He gives it to his transvestite partner. Together they cut out its tongue (to keep it from talking) and raise it in their family to be a killer. As an adult, the adult attempts to breaks away to the outside world and comes into conflict with his brood. The cast includes David Carradine, Paul L. Smith and Brad Dourif.

Given the subject matter, it had a hard time getting released in the 80s. Personally, I’m curious to see what it’s all about. The Blu-ray comes with two audio commentaries - one with the screenwriter and another with the director as well as a copy of the first draft of the script.

Warner Archive have some noteworthy DVDs and a Bluray arriving. The first two listed are TV-movies. Climb an Angry Mountain (1972) is a drama about two detectives from different cities chasing a fugitive through the wilderness. The Hostage Heart (1977) is about a terrorist who raids a hospital and take a millionaire hostage while the man is in the

T he mor e i m pr e s s i ve release from Warner Archive is a Blu-ray of the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Wrong Man (1956). While Universal handled a lot of the director’s films, Warner Bros. did release several of his titles. This one is based on a true story and stars Henry Fonda as a jazz musician mistakenly thought to be a fugitive bank robber. The Jackson Heights, New York City resident tries to help the police, but finds himself being implicated in even more crimes. It’s a well regarded film notable for taking a more dramatic and realistic approach than the filmmaker is known for. The disc comes with a making-of documentary and trailer.

Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Volume 1 is an elaborate Bluray set from Arrow featuring a Japanese crime/mystery picture from three notable filmmakers. They include Voice Without a Shadow (1958), Red Pier (1958) and The Rambling Guitarist (1959). The set features new film transfers from the original materials, as well as loads of promotional materials and discussions with a Japanese film expert on the historical significance of all three titles.

Hector the Mighty (1972) is an Italian comedy starring Giancarlo Giannini. Set in the criminal underworld, its reportedly a modern take on the Helen of Troy story. Imd Films is releasing the movie (with also lists horror director Lucio Fulci as a co-writer) on DVD.

DVD REVIEW | SEE PAGE 19 COMMUNITY

DVD REVIEW | FROM PAGE 18

New poll shows wide support for NM pot legalization

By Joey Peters NM Political Report

S And finally, MVS Visual are delivering a Blu-ray/DVD combo of the silly Italian 3-D western, Comin’ At Ya! (1981). The movie was made at during the 3-D craze of the early 80s (which included Amityville 3-D, Friday the 13th Part 3 in 3-D, Jaws 3-D and many, many more). You’ll have to double check as to the type of 3-D presentation here.

It has been released in the past, but in the less effective red and cyan Anaglyph 3-D. You don’t want to see it this way. Anyway, it’s a very silly movie and may be of some interest to B-movie fans if presented properly.

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS! It’s a slow week for kids, but here is what is coming your way.

Kiwi: Meet Twiki & Twini Nickelodeon Favorites: Whiskers & Paws

ixty- one percent of adults in New Mexico support legalizing and regulating recreational marijuana, according to a poll released January 28 by Research & Polling.

When coupled with restrictions on where marijuana can be produced and requirements that sales revenue go toward health and drug rehab programs, that number supporting legalization jumps to 69 percent.

Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, said the poll is evidence that the state is ready to join Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Arizona as states w ith lega lized recreation marijuana.

“What it shows is that New Mexicans support legalization,” he said. “Not just ex-hippies in Taos, not just people who read The Nation in Santa Fe, not just [University of New Mexico] students in Albuquerque, but people in every part of this state support legalization.”

Ortiz y Pino is proposing an amendment to the state constitution that would let voters decide whether to legalize in the general election this fall.

Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces, is also carrying a separate bill to legalize marijuana through the state legislature.

Ortiz y Pino’s bill needs approval by a majority of bot h t he st ate Hou se of Representatives and Senate, but doesn’t require a signature by Gov. Susana Martinez, who opposes marijuana legalization. McCamley’s would need to pass the House and

Senate, then receive Martinez’s signature.

Still, both bills are considered longshots. Ortiz y Pino’s bill sits in the Senate Rules Committee, where chair Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, hasn’t scheduled it for a hearing yet.

McCamley’s bill is in the House Rules Committee, which will only pass it if Martinez puts it on the call for the session, a very unlikely prospect.

But both point to the poll as the showing the public on their side. “ L e t ’s j u s t d o t h i s ,” McCamley said. “Let’s do it now.”

Or tiz y P i no esti mates that legalization could bring New Mexico anywhere from an additional $20 million to $60 million in tax revenue ea ch yea r. Becau se Or t i z y Pino’s bill is a constitutional amendment, it doesn’t have specific funding mecha n isms at tached— those wou ld be decided i f such an amendment is approved.

Still, his bill mentions that

Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe & Gallup Sun Presents Teacher of the Month! Pick up 2015 – 2016 School Year entry form

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the revenue would go to law en forcement a nd f u nd i ng Medicaid. Ortiz y Pino said he’d add an amendment to include education.

McCamley’s bill marks 40 percent of the marijuana revenue to the general fund, 25 percent to alcohol and substance abuse treatment, 20 percent to city and county law enforcement agencies and 15 percent to state police.

For a legislative session where the Republican leadership and governor are focused on t oug h- on- cr i me bi l l s, McCamley said this one should be easy.

“What we’re doing with this bill, we are taking money out of the hands of drug dealers, we are taking money out of the hands of cartels,” McCamley said, “and we are replacing it in the hands of legitimate business owners.”

The poll marks a significant increase in support from just two years ago, when Research & Polling found 44 percent supportive of legalization and 50 percent opposed.

Re sea rch & Pol l i ng President Brian Sanderoff

noted that his previous poll only considered likely voters while the new one considered adults aged 18 and older.

Sanderoff noted that support would probably drop one percentage point when considering likely voters.

The new poll sur veyed 406 people across the state, with demographics meeting the state average. Research & Polling surveyed 55 percent of respondents by cell phone and 45 percent by landline. The poll’s margin of error is +/- 4.9 percent.

All five regions of New Mexico —the A lbuquerque area, Northern New Mexico, the La s Cr uces a rea , the northwest and the Eastern oil patch—all support legalization, with the strongest in the Las Cruces border region at 75 percent. Eastern New Mexico, widely viewed as the most conservative part of the state, still supports legalization by 58 percent.

Breaking down by partisan lines, independents are the most likely to support legalization at 82 percent. Seventythree percent of Democrats favor legalizing while 43 percent of Republicans feel the same.

Even those who have never used marijuana favor legalization by a small majority—53 percent.

Half the population of the state admits to trying marijuana while 11 percent use often or occasionally, according to the poll.

“My guess is it’s a few points higher,” Sanderoff said, mentioning that some people are less likely to admit they use or have tried marijuana because of stigma.

Visit: www.nmpoliticalreport.com

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Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

19

SPORTS 360

Hasn’t January Been a Great Month?

By Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

I

’ve enjoyed almost every minute of January, 2016.

For one thing, it serves as a solid marker that I am entering another year of life. It is also a time of year to attempt to change some old patterns that are not beneficial and to bulk up on ones that are more positive.

I have noticed negativity encroaching on a fair number of people; mostly those who have little joy in their hearts.

Also, there are some who will never be content, with anything.

Not me! I am happy to wait for the outcomes in State

Tournament action, basketball or wrestling at this time of year. I suppose I should include swimming in that mix as well, but having received no response from the coaches at Gallup or Miyamura High, I have elected not to do so.

And even if those games do not favor the local or area schools, I will still be happy.

After all, I watched the NFL playoffs and did not lose my mind, or common sense, no matter who won. A nd my choices seldom did. I am a lousy prophet, but an ardent fan who wants to see the athletes play to the best of their abilities, knowing full well that sometimes they fail.

See you in the bleachers!

‘New Venture’

LOCAL TEEN TEACHING OTHERS THE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Photos by Tom Hartsock

Students at work; Dylan Vargas putting a class through their routines in the Gallup Catholic gym.

Dylan with his certification from South Korea, designating him as a teacher and a black belt, and verified by a Korean speaker.

20 Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

A large number of students from the Dylan Vargas Mixed Martial Arts Academy will be attending the 2016 U.S. Association of Martial Artists for the New Mexico State Championships on Jan. 30, Saturday. The event will be held at Los Vecinos Community Center in Tijeras, NM and consist of 17 divisions by age and ability, including Forms (Kata), Weapons, Kombat Kenjutsu (Chanbara), Sparring (Kumite), and Take Down Sparring.

SPORTS

Gallup High hosts Four Corners Tourney Story & Photos by Shepherd Waldenberger Sun Correspondent

S

i x w restl i ng tea ms faced off at Gallup High School on Jan. 27 for the Four Corners Tourney.

The meet was delayed several hours due to a bomb threat at the school, but police cleared the building after a thorough search did not turn up any explosives, and the wrestling commenced.

Competition was tough but friendly with Gallup, Grants, Miyamura, Shiprock, Kirtland, and Newcomb high schools all duking it out on the mat.

T he t ou r n a me nt w a s

round-robin style, so each team wrestled every other team, and there was no overall winner announced. It was a long event, almost seven hours in total, and each athlete got to wrestle at least five matches. Matches were short, but intense, and everyone was worn out by the end.

Gallup head coach Esco Chavez was optimistic about his team, but noted that several of his wrestlers were out with injuries, which resulted in forfeits in those weight classes.

Winning is not everything for Chavez, though.

“School comes first,” Chavez said. He wants his wrestlers to be successful in life, not just on the mat.

He says his goal is to “make wrestling credible,” which means ensuring his athletes hold high personal standards in every endeavor.

“I want my kids to graduate and be state champions,” Chavez said.

At Gallup High, Chavez is more than just a wrestling coach, he’s a life coach as well.

But even if his athletes don’t win a championship, he is proud of them for who they are. “Every kid I have is very respectful … they’re all great kids.”

The Four Corners Tourney is an annual event and will be hosted by Shiprock High School next year.

Miyamura’s Gabe Duckett and Zander Dale of Shiprock attempt to bring each other down to the mat.

Luke West of Kirkland attempts to roll Nicholas DeVargas of Grants.

Gallup’s Kenneth Cheromiah battles with Joshua Bustos of Grants at the Four Corners Tourney Jan. 27.

Sydney Martinez of Gallup pins his Newcomb opponent during an exhibition match.

SPORTS

Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

21

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED! FREE STANDARD CLASSIFIED (ONE PER CUSTOMER, MAXIMUM OF FOUR ISSUES)

CLASSIFIEDS CABIN FOR SALE

ANY BOLD TEXT, TEXT BOX, YELLOW HIGHLIGHT OR LOGO/PIC $5 EACH, PER WEEK

SEND SPECIFICATIONS & CLASSIFIED TO: GALLUPSUN@GMAIL.COM OR FAX (505)212-0391 DEADLINE MONDAYS 5 PM. EMAIL/FAX SUBMISSIONS ONLY. PAYMENT DUE IN ADVANCE. ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED.

Scores

Winter wonderland CABIN FOR SALE Zuni mountains Snowmobile, four wheeling, snow shoe. $78,000.00 Call 505-240-2112 for info

Jan. 20, Wednesday RCHS GBB 68, Crownpoint 58 (OT)

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Jan. 21, Thursday GHS BBB 55, Eldorado 53 GHS GBB 68, Eldorado 64 MHS BBB 36, Moriarty 44 MHS GBB 41, Farmington 59 RCHS BBB 49, Ramah 47 ToHS GBB 67, Navajo Prep 47 WHS BBB 70, Bloomfield 79

tive weight classes.

Gallup Sun is hiring independent contractor newspaper delivery drivers. Must have cell phone and access to email, computer, and scanner. Send work history/resume to: gallupsun@gmail.com

Jan. 22, Friday GHS BBB 71, Piedra Vista 52 RCHS BBB 30, Newcomb 38 ToHS BBB 52, Crownpoint 64 WHS GBB 78, Zuni 47 Jan. 23, Saturday GHS GBB 77, Piedra Vista 72 GHS WRST @ Leonard Kirby Invite, Belen, NO RESULTS MHS GBB 60, Albuquerque High 65 MHS WRST @ Leonard Kirby Invite, Belen Jeremiah Salaz

this tournament for respecRCHS BBB 53, N. American Community Academy 43 RCHS GBB 65, N. American Community Academy 31 ToHS GBB 73, Crownpoint 33 WHS BBB 65, Zuni 61 Jan. 25, Monday GHS GBB 74 West Mesa 60 MHS GBB 45 Highland 41 ToHS BBB 44 Shiprock 47 Jan. 26, Tuesday GHS BBB 79, Aztec 35

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GHS BBB vs. Farmington, 7 MHS BBB @ Aztec, 7 WHS GBB vs, Thoreau, 4 Jan. 30, Saturday MHS GBB vs. Aztec, 7 RCHS BBB @ Tohatchi, 1 ToHS BBB vs. Rehoboth, 1 ToHS GBB @ Newcomb, 4 WHS BBB @ Thoreau, 3 Feb. 2, Tuesday GHS BBB vs. Miyamura, 7 MHS BBB @ Gallup, 7 RCHS BBB @ Navajo Prep, 6:30

ture-Properties.com and leave message there.

HELP WANTED: VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER (DVS #15687)

REPORTER WANTED

The Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is responsible for Gallup, the Northwest Region of New Mexico. The VSO provides guidance and experienced in providing assistance to Veterans’ and their families in submitting claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs and State in accordance with state and federal rules regulations policies and procedures.

Closing Date: 2/5/16, 11:59 pm.

Job# 2016-00264.

Apply: www.spo.state.nm.us/ State_Employment.aspx Agency Contact: Kenneth Adair, (505) 999-8431 LAND FOR SALE 20 Acres, 4 lots, lovely canyon & good building sites. Pine Meadow Ranches south of El Morro National Monument. $40,000 total for 4 lots. Owner will carry up to 50%. See at Na-

MHS BBB 56, Piedra Vista 48 RCHS BBB 49, Navajo Pine 61 RCHS GBB 42, Tohatchi 78 ToHS GBB 78, Rehoboth 42

CALENDAR FRIDAY JAN. 29

WHS GBB 24, Kirtland Central 56

RCHS GBB vs. Crownpoint, 6:30 WHS GBB @ Shiprock, 7 Feb. 4, Thursday GHS GBB vs. Miyamura, 7 MHS GBB @ Gallup, 7 RCHS BBB vs. To’hajiilee, 6:30 WHS BBB vs. Shiprock, 7 Feb. 5, Friday MHS BBB vs. Farmington, 7 RCHS GBB vs. Navajo Pine, 6:30 ToHS BBB @ Navajo Prep, 6:30 WHS GBB vs. Bloomfield, 7

22 Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

Gallup Sun is looking for freelance reporters to cover public safety. Recent graduates or journalism/English majors are encouraged to apply. Will consider candidates from outside of the area. Training provided.

INTERNSHIPS available for high school/college students.

Send resume/clips to: gallupsun@gmail.com SALES ASSOCIATES WANTED Ed Corley Nissan is looking for dependable, self-motivated sales associates.

Must apply in person, 1000 W. Jefferson Ave, Gallup.

Ask to see Francisco or Lou. We will be giving a sign on bonus to qualified candidate!

MAIL DELIVERY 1 year subscription. Send check for $49.95 to:

Gallup Sun Publishing PO Box 1212 Gallup, NM 87305

Attention Gallup residents!

Have the Gallup Sun delivered to your home Friday morning!

Special rate $20 for 26 weeks or $40 for year. (Must live in Gallup metro area.)

Send payment to: PO BOX 1212, Gallup, NM 87305. Call (505) 728-1640 to pay by card.

Schedules Jan. 29, Friday

505-870-3430 or Carmelita 505870-4095.

MOVIE: GOOSEBUMPS Starts: 6 pm. El Morro Theater, 207 West Coal Ave. PG. FAMILY MOVIE (ALL AGES) Join us for a free family movie. Starts at 4 pm.

Children’s Branch, 200 W. Aztec Ave. Film: Big Hero 6 SATURDAY JAN. 30 COMMUNITY COFFEEHOUSE EVENT The Community Coffee-

COMMUNITY CALENDAR JAN. 29 – FEB. 4, 2016

house is a celebration of music, poetry, and community. Join us at the Church of the Holy Spirit. Starts at 6:30 pm. Location: 1334 Country Club Drive. Free MIYAMURA DANCE TEAM FUNDRAISER The Miyamura Dance Team is holding a fundraiser by hosting the Junior Patriette Dance Clinic and Performance from 3:30 - 8 pm.

The $25 fee (cash or money orders ONLY) will include the dance routine, a craft activity, a pizza dinner, and a halftime performance during the Lady Patriots basketball game that same night. Non-participants in the clinic will pay regular prices for the game.

SUNDAY JAN. 31 MOVIE: THE GOONIES Starts: 2 pm. El Morro Theater, 207

West Coal Ave. PG. MONDAY FEB. 1 GALLUP-MCKINLEY COUNTY SCHOOLS There will be a Board of Education Meeting. Begins at 6 pm. For more information please call, (505) 721 - 1000.

Location: Student Support Center.

TUESDAY FEB. 2 INDOOR FUN WALK Please come out and help us kick off our Million Dollar Year, Indoor Fun Walk, and Game Night. Relay Board Members will be available to help you with registration, fundr-raising ideas, sponsorship opportunities, luminaria sales, and youth opportunities. They’ll answer any questions you may have about Relay For Life!

Begins at 6 pm. For more information please call, Linda Continued on page 15 CLASSIFIEDS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR JAN. 29 – FEB. 4, 2016 Continued from page 22

Shelton (505) 722- 2175. Location: Community Center.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 3 TODDLER TIME (AGES 2 TO 4) An active and energetic program for toddlers, featuring music, movement rhymes, and stories. Starts: 10:30 am.

Children’s Branch, 200 W Aztec Ave. Free MAKER’S CLUB A club for kids interested in science, math, building, and inventing (Ages 7 and up).

Each week will feature a different challenge, project, or experiment. Starts: 4 pm.

Children’s Branch, 200 W. Aztec. This Week: Build A Fort. Free

FEBRUARY FILMS Join us for a free family movie. Popcorn provided.

Starts at 5pm. Main Branch, 115 W. Hill. Film: The Help OPEN-MIC-NIGHT Local talent takes center stage from 7:30 - 9:30 pm at Coal Street Pub, 303 West Coal Ave. (505) 722-0117.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Meetings every Sunday at 6 pm, First United Methodist Church, 1800 Red Rock Dr, corner of Nizhoni/Red Rock.

Enter northwest corner off Nizhoni; Library room.

THURSDAY FEB. 4 SBDC AWARD UNM Gallup’s Small Business Development Center will present their Success Client at the State Legislature in Santa Fe. The SBDC has selected In Sight Technologies as the recipient of the award. This minority-owned business specializes in Fiber Optics and is based in Gamerco, NM. The owner is John Warren. For more information please contact Cynthia Jarvison (5050) 722-2220.

Location: New Mexico State Legislature.

COMPUTER CLASSES The library is offering a free computer class: Introduction to Computer Skills.

Begins at 3 pm. Class size is limited to 10 participants per session. Registration is required. For more information please call (505) 863-1291. Location: Main Branch, 115 W. Hill.

CRAFTY KIDS Fun crafts for the whole family (all ages). Starts at 4 pm. Children’s Branch, 200 W. Aztec. Make: Hand-print Wreath. Free ONGOING REGISTER FOR GALLUP AMATEUR BASEBALL/SOFTBALL! Walk-in registration for the Gallup Amateur Baseball/ Softball Association has been announced for Saturdays, Feb. 13, 20, and 27 at the Center Stage in Rio West Mall from 10 am until 2 pm.

The fee per child is $75 for the first and $60 for the second in the same family.

T-Ball fees are $60 each.

Birth certificates are required!

On-line registration has been active since Jan. 1 at: www. gallupaabc.com Late registrations begin Mar. 1 and will add to the original entrance fee $50-75, depending on how late you can sign your children up to play.

Registrants after April 30 will be put on a waiting list.

ART EXHIBIT Throughout the month of February, the Children’s Branch will display the pillars of history exhibit featuring historical figures.

Each pillar in the library will show images and information on a figure that has contributed to the growth and development of the country. For more information please contact the Children’s Branch at (505) 726-6120.

Location: Children’s Branch, 200 W. Aztec.

RECYCLING COUNCIL McKinley Citizen’s Recycling Council is a local non-profit working to increase recycling through education, community outreach, and partnership with local government agencies. MCRC meets the first Saturday of the month at 2 pm, at Red Mesa on Hill St. For more information please call (505) 722-5142 or visit www. Recylegallup.org.

COMMUNITY PANTRY The Hope Garden is offering organic produce for

CALENDAR

sale from 10 am - 12 pm, Tue - Fri. We are located at 1130 E. Hasler Valley Rd. All funds go to helping feed local folks. For personal attention call (505) 726-8068 or when visiting ask for Kenworth Jones.

FIRST INDIAN BAPTIST CHURCH Monday Night Back to Basics Bible Class, Red Hills Trailer Park recreation center 7 pm; Tuesday Family Bible Study FIBC 501 S. 3rd St, 6 pm; Sunday Worship and Prayer at FIBC 501 S. 3rd, 10:30 am. Contact: Pastor Robert Fontenot (505) 979-0511. fibcgallup@ gmail.com / www.fibcgallup. weebly.com GALLUP-MCKINLEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY Wednesdays are low-cost Spay and Neuter Days, at the Gallup-McKinley County Humane Society. For more information please call (505) 863-2616, or email: gmchumanesociety@gmail.com.

Location: 1315 Hamilton Rd. GALLUP SOLAR MEETINGS Interested in learning more about solar energy? Come to a Gallup Solar meeting, held the first three Wednesdays of the month from 6 - 8 pm, East Logan Ave. Email: gallupsolar@gmail.com or call (505) 726-2497.

GALLUP SUSTAINABLE GALLUP BOARD The City of Gallup’s Sustainable Gallup Board meets on the first Monday each month from 3 - 5 pm in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall. Community members concerned about conservation, energy, water, recycling, and other environmental issues are welcome. Call Bill Bright at (505) 722-0039 for information. Location: 404 West Maxwell, Ave. HABITAT GALLUP

Join us for the Habitat Gallup, a home building organization offering a hand up, not a hand out. We need your help to plan for our sixth home in Gallup. For more information please call Bill Bright (505) 722-4226. Meets monthly on the third Mon-

day of each month 6 – 8 pm.

Location: 113 E. Logan Ave. HISTORIAS DE GALLUP The Library is collecting oral histories from people in the community. Historias de Gallup will focus on Hispanic History in the area and stories that will give listeners a picture of Gallup in the past. These histories will be recorded and stored at the library for future generations to listen to. Anyone interested in participating should contact the library to schedule an interview time.

Latino Americans: 500 Years of History has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. Information:(505) 863-1291 or email: mdchavez@gallupnm.gov QUILTING GROUP Come on down and join our quilting group. We have quilting bees every Tuesday from 9 am - 2:30 pm, and Thursday from 9 am - 2:30 pm. For more information please contact Virginia Gustafson (505) 879-3001. Located by the Playground of Dreams and Harold Runnels Center in the Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center, 705 Montoya Blvd.

EXPLORING THE NEW TESTAMENT The Westminster Presbyterian Church offers a Wednesday evening study: Exploring The New Testament. Join the Church on the Hill near Orleans Manor Apartments, as we dig deep into the early world of the church. We’ll discover more about the context of our Scriptures. Begins: 7 pm.

For more information please contact, Pastor Lorelei (505) 905 - 3247. Location: 151State Highway 564.

SAVE THE DATE

Introduction to the Internet.

Begins at 11 am. Class size is limited to 10 participants per session. Registration is required, to register please call (505) 863-1291. Location: Main Branch, 115 W. Hill.

DANA CHANDLER EXHIBIT Throughout the month of February, the Octavia Fellin Library will host a special art exhibit by Professor Dana Chandler: An Activist Art Retrospective. Chandler has been featured in Time, Jet, Newsweek, and Encore. A reception for the artist will be held on Feb. 13 during ArtsCrawl. For more information please call, (505) 863-1291. Location: Main Branch, 115 W. Hill.

NAVAJO NATION SCIENCE FAIR The Red Rock State ParkChurch Rock presents the Navajo Nation Science Fair, Feb. 23- 25. Registration deadline: Feb. 17 at midnight. Categories available include: animal science, behavioral and social science, biology, chemistry, and more. For online registration please visit: www. sciencefairregstration.com.

For more information please contact the Dine School improvement: (505) 871-7452.

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS On Feb. 11, the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Office the Secretary, and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization are hosting a series of community outreach events. These events will educate small businesses about federal procurement. For more information please call, Cynthia Jarvison (505) 722 2220. Location: Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque.

Events at Rio West Mall Feb. 11 – Valentine Acronym Contest Entries Due Feb. 15 – President’s day Drawing Contest Entries Due

AMERICAN INDIAN DAY Save the date! It’s American Indian day at the Legislature on Feb. 5. Broadening State Tribal Relations for generations to come. For more will be posted on the Indian Affairs Department website: www.iad.state.nm.us or call To post a non-profit or Nicole Macias at (505) 476civic event in the calendar 1600. section, please email:

gallupsunevents@gmail.com or

COMPUTER CLASSES fax: (505) 212-0391. Deadline: Monday 5 pm.

On Feb. 5, the library is offering a free computer class: Gallup Sun • Friday January 29, 2016

23

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505-726-4410 505-863-4434 WWW.ETANNER.COM 24 Friday January 29, 2016 • Gallup Sun

CLASSIFIEDS