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LOCAL & REGION
THE NEW MEXICAN Saturday, December 21, 2013
Navajos assess future of Tribal Council speaker By Felicia Fonseca The Associated Press
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — It’s a scenario that almost surely would cause a stir anywhere: the leader of a government’s legislative branch accused in a scheme to divert public money to his family. On the Navajo Nation, the lawmakers who elected Johnny Naize as Tribal Council speaker largely have been silent about the bribery and con-
spiracy charges against him. None has called for him to step down, and none has thrown their support behind him to remain in the leadership post. But they are talking among themselves and to their constituents about the image the allegations create, and some are suggesting Naize should focus on resolving the charges instead of leading lawmakers on the country’s largest American Indian reservation. “If he’s serving as a speaker while
defending himself, he’ll have little time to do both,” said Delegate Leonard Tsosie. “He needs to look at that, too. And it’s really for his own benefit.” Naize will be arraigned in March on 10 counts of conspiracy and a bribery count, stemming from an investigation into lawmakers’ use of tribal discretionary funds. Prosecutors say Naize’s family received $36,550 in discretionary funding in exchange for his providing $36,900 to family members of
Woman supports extended family, seeks holiday help The New Mexican
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ndrea has been working at a motel for eight years but has hit a rough spot. She says her pay has gone down because business has been slow. Her son, daughter and grandchildren live with her. Her daughter was working until October but is looking for a job. Her son graduated high school and also is on the job hunt. With her whole family living with her, and no one else working, Andrea has had trouble keeping up with bills. She is asking for $3,050 for rent and $401.70 for her electric bill. Andrea is just one of the many community members seeking help from The New Mexican’s Empty Stocking Fund during the holiday season. Watch for daily stories New Mexico School for the Deaf students Amberley Luna featuring requests for assisand Jesus Medrano present Santa Fe Community Foundation President Brian Byrnes $400 for The New Mexican’s tance from local residents in Empty Stocking Fund on Friday. Funds were collected at the The Santa Fe New Mexican. school’s annual Winter Variety Show. COURTESY KERI-LYNN MCBRIDE The names of the applicants have been changed to protect u Robert R. McFarland, $100 other items or services, contact their privacy. The information from the initial application will The Salvation Army, 988-8054 u Rosemary and B. Frederick be verified if Minard, $100 Donations the applicant u Magdalene Montoya, $25 is selected for u New Mexico Natural Mediu Anonymous assistance. (4), in memory cine, $500 of Peter G., u New Mexico School for the uuu fund $1,054.56 Deaf students, $400 u Donald E. The Empty u Nancy Benkof and Paul Benjamin, $250 Pletka, $200 Stocking Fund uBruce and Cynthia Bolene, is a project of The Santa Fe u Lois Redding, $150 $500 New Mexican. The Santa Fe u Ellen Bradbury-Reid and u Barbara Klein and C.B. Community Foundation, the Edward Reid, $100 Bowlds, $200 First National Bank of Santa u Beatrice Romero, $100 u Christus St. Vincent Fe, The Salvation Army and u Julia B. Rose, $200 Regional Medical Center IS Presbyterian Medical Services Department, $37 u Rotary Club of Santa Fe donate services to jointly u Mollie Craft, Caitlin Craft Centro, $100 administer the Empty Stocking Dupuis, $20 u Louanne Abrums-Sargent Fund. u Barbara and Robert Ells, and Wally Sargent, $100 $300 u Southwest Archaeological To donate uJonathan T. and Louise B. Consultants, $200 Fairbank, $150 Make your tax-deductible u Steven Hamp and Sharon u Edward and Marilyn donation online at www. Starkey, $100 George, in memory of Dolores santafenewmexican.com/ u Harrison and Hannah empty_stocking or mail a check Cordova, $50 u JaNelle, LaNelle and Juanita Trainor, $100 to: The New Mexican’s Empty Haught, in memory of Earl and Stocking Fund c/o The Santa Fe u Trish Vigil, in memory of Community Foundation, P.O. Box Nila Haught, $100 Frank Browder, $40 u Keshi the Zuni Connection, 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827 u Mary E. Walta, in honor of $250 If you can provide a needed Sandra Brinck, Eileen Mandel u Jane Pedersen and Domiservice such as roofing or home and Paul Chitwood, $150 nick LaCapra, $250 repairs, contact Presbyterian u White & Luff Financial, u Margot Ladwig, $100 Medical Services, 983-8968. u Jeanette Martinez, in mem- $400 If you can contribute food, Cumulative total: ory of George, MaryAnn and clothing, toys, housewares or $112,108.56 Earl Martinez, $50 furniture in good condition, or
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current and former council delegates. The money was intended for uses such as student financial aid, people facing extreme hardship and assistance for elderly Navajo. Naize says he won’t step down and that he will devote his time as speaker to “accomplishing the work of the Navajo Nation with the dignity and care that Dine citizens deserve.” The probe into the discretionary funds began after a larger Tribal Coun-
cil of 88 delegates voted in 2009 to place then-President Joe Shirley Jr. on administrative leave over allegations that he acted unethically and illegally in dealing with two companies that had operated on the reservation. The allegations never were made public, and Shirley never was charged. A tribal judge ruled that the council acted outside its authority. The decision later was upheld by the tribe’s Supreme Court.
Funeral services and memorials MARGARITO G. MAES (SERGEANT MAES) Of Santa Fe, went to be with our Lord and his beloved wife on Wednesday, December 18, 2013. Margarito retired from the City of Santa Fe police department after 30 years of dedicated service. He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Flora; his parents Elosia and Epimenio and his son, Patrick. Margarito is survived by his loving children: Dolores Gurule of Odessa, TX, Grace Quinones (David) of Albuquerque, NM, Margarita Samuel (Earl) of Tesuque Pueblo, NM, Ray Martinez of San Mateo, CA, Gilbert Maes (Kim) of Santa Fe; brother Jose Maes of Espanola; sister Rosie Chavez of Colorado Springs, CO; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and dear friends Juan and Juanita Garcia. He was a member of St. Anne’s Church. Pallbearers are Anthony Samuel, Jerome Samuel, Juan Martinez, A.J. Salazar, David Quinones, Jr. and Ruben Quinones. Honorary pallbearers are Tom Jara and Dominick Woods. Visitation will be Sunday, December 22, 2013 from 5:00-6:00 pm at Berardinelli Family Funeral Service with a Rosary to follow at 6:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be Monday, December 23, 2013 at 11:00 am at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Rosario Cemetery.
Rivera Family Mortuaries Santa Fe ~ Española ~ Taos Rivera Family Funeral Home Santa Fe (505)989-7032 Carol Mae Brown, 81, Santa Fe, December 13, 2013 John Armijo, 52, Santa Fe, December 18, 2013 Rivera Family Funeral Home Taos (575)758-3841 Sy (Sylvan) Hotch, 88, Taos, December 13, 2013 Corina R. Maestas, 99, Talpa, December 13, 2013 Florentina Schmid Devargas, 86, Taos, December 17, 2013 Carlos Trujillo, 57, Ranchos de Taos, December 19, 2013 Rivera Family Funeral Home Espanola (505)753-2288 Ruth Gonzales, Espanola, December 2013
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505)984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com JOSE B. ROMERO Jose B Romero, age 93, a long-time resident of Santa Fe died peacefully at his home on Thursday, December 19, 2013. He was born in El Rito, NM in 1920. He met and married his beautiful wife Annie, the love of his life. They recently celebrated 71 years of marriage. Joe retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory where he worked as a Health Monitor. He loved sports and was an avid competitive basketball player until the age of 68 and was referred to as "the cagey old fox." He is survived by his loving wife Annie, and his children, Becky Kozubal, Eddie Romero, Sylvia Fernandez, David Romero, and his sons-in-law Andy Kozubal, Harold Fernandez, and daughter-in-law, Eileen Romero. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. We will greatly miss our beloved and his love, strength, and wisdom. Our beloved will forever remain in our hearts. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Funeral Home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com
88, 14,
Adolfo Borrego, 94, El Guique, December 17, 2013
1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY
MARIA FLORA TAPIA MAY 19, 1920 ~ DECEMBER 24, 2012
Deeply missed and forever loved. Merry Christmas Mom A Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 12 noon at San Isidro Center. Maida and Dolores and their families.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLA SMAIL GONZALES
Police notes The Santa Fe Police Department is investigating the following reports: u A burglar stole 20 rings, with an estimated value of about $800, from a house in the 100 block of Lugar de Oro between 9:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Thursday. u A woman reported that someone broke into her house while she was taking a walk and stole her purse and a pair of diamond earrings between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 1300 block of Ferguson Lane. u Someone broke the driver’s side window of a 2007 Dodge van in the 100 block of Camino de Las Crucitas and stole the owner’s purse, which contained a debit card, at 5 p.m. Thursday. A police report says the burglar used the debit card at 6:25 p.m. at a Phillips 66 gas station, 3000 Cerrillos Road. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the following reports:
u Someone stole a turquoise bead necklace Thursday evening from a shop at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino. The item has an estimated value of about $700.
DWI arrests u Robert Contreras, 39, was arrested by a sheriff’s deputy after a breath test showed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.08. He was charged with DWI, reckless driving and driving with a suspended or revoked license. The deputy’s report said Contreras was initially pulled over for speeding on N.M. 599 and showed signs of impairment. He was booked into jail at about 12 a.m. Friday. u Kellie Zachry, 30, 4000 La Carrera, was arrested around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of aggravated DWI and having no headlamps after being pulled over by police on Cerrillos Road and Montezuma Avenue.
Speed SUVs u The Santa Fe Police Department listed the following locations for mobile speed-enforcement vehicles: SUV No. 1 at Zia and Vo Tech roads; SUV No. 2 at Airport Road at Fields Lane; SUV No. 3 at Governor Miles Road between Richards Avenue and Camino Carlos Rey.
Help lines Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families hotline: 800-473-5220 St. Elizabeth Shelter for men, women and children: 982-6611 Interfaith Community Shelter: 795-7494 New Mexico suicide prevention hotline: 866-435-7166 Solace Crisis Treatment Center: 986-9111, 800-7217273 or TTY 471-1624 Youth Emergency Shelter/ Youth Shelters: 438-0502 Police and fire emergency: 911
JOHN F.K. ARMIJO Age 52, beloved Father, Grandfather, and Brother passed away peacefully into everlasting life with Our Lord, on December 18, 2013 while surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Clayton, NM on May 26, 1961. John was a proud Father and full of life. He enjoyed telling stories and being a "Coach". He is preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Isadora Armijo; and niece Sharon Boone. John is survived by his loving children: April Armijo, Michael and wife Adrianna Armijo, Patricia and husband John Casados, Joey and wife Amy Salazar, Shana and husband Daniel Roybal; seven grandchildren; and long-time companion, Monica. Also surviving are his siblings: Nikki Boone, Michael (Martha), Bobby (Anita), Gerard (Diana), Richard (Irene) Gonzales and Phillip Armijo; the mother of his children, Stella Salazar; and other numerous relatives and friends. John will be greatly missed by his family and by those whose hearts he touched. A Rosary will be held on Monday, December 23, 2013 at 8 a.m., following by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Johns Catholic Church, 1301 Osage Ave, Santa Fe, NM. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Dale Tsosie, Steve Duran, John Schoeppner, Gary Kavanaugh, Nolan Arquero and Joe Madrid. Interment will take place at Rosario Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rivera Family Funeral Home, 417 E. Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM (505)989-7032.
Without you in my life, I feel an emptiness deep within my soul, an emptiness only a mother’s love could fill.
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