Can new hire keep the plant’s foul smell under wraps?

After a months-long national search, the city of Gallup has hired a new wastewater and solid waste director. City Manager Maryann Ustick made the announcement at the end of the July 12 city council meeting.

Dennis Romero is the new guy in what may be the most thankless job at the city. The plant has been the target of numerous citizen complaints over the years for the foul odors that have made some hotel, motel, and restaurant owners on Gallup’s west side unhappy. But lately, the smell isn’t so apparent.

“I haven’t received a negative complaint in a long time,” Councilwoman Fran Palochak said. Polachak’s District 4...

Thayne Yazzie, a resident of St. Michaels, Ariz., came to the ArtsCrawl Gallup July 9 to display two pieces of art in one form. The electric guitar pictured here represents Yazzie’s custom paint job, as well as the hours of music he’s performed on it. Photo Credit: Andy Gibbons III

Agreement keeps chamber in tourism, marketing picture

The Gallup City Council unanimously approved a $185,000 professional services agreement June 14 with the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce – furthering a lodgers tax relationship with Chamber CEO Bill Lee that goes back several years.

The vote on the professional services matter took place at the regular city meeting. City Tourism and Marketing Manager Catherine Sebold and City Manager Maryann Ustick introduced the item to council members.

The agreement allows the chamber to oversee, manage, and design the content, production, sales, and distribution of the 2017 Gallup Visitor’s Guide, which can be found at area...

Matter related to temporary construction permits

The Gallup City Council has approved a right-of-entry and deed for a New Mexico Department of Transportation project along Boardman Drive. The issue was brought before council members at the June 28 meeting and received a unanimous vote.

“We gave the [New Mexico Department of Transportation] some small bits of rights-of-way in front of the train station for some work they are to do,” City Attorney George Kozeliski explained to the panel. “They sent us three packets of items they needed from the city. Only the council can deed property. That’s why it was before the council.”

Kozeliski said the DOT requested the right to do...