77 votes separate Kumar and Chavez

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent

The two incumbents running for city council seats March 14 reclaimed their seats, according to unofficial election results from Gallup City Hall.

Linda Garcia and Yogash Kumar won council seats in District 1 and District 3, respectively. There are 6,459 eligible voters in Gallup. There were 799 votes cast in the election.

"Everything went very well," Gallup Deputy City Clerk Alicia Palacios said. "There were no problems with the voting machines."

Garcia ran unopposed and garnered 96 total votes. Kumar was challenged by political newcomer and restaurateur Angela Chavez and former city parks and recreation director Esco Chavez. Garcia and Esco Chavez are Gallup natives. Angela Chavez and Kumar are Gallup transplants. Kumar is a hotelier with holdings as far away as Albuquerque.

Garcia, the only candidate present at City Hall to monitor election results, got 96 votes. Kumar won District 3 with 301 total votes and Esco Chavez accumulated 224. Angela Chavez garnered 175 total votes.

Gallup councilors serve four-year staggered terms and earn an annual salary of $15,000. Palacios said an election canvassing will take place March 15 at 10 am. At City Council chambers.

By Naomi Chan

Sun Correspondent

The national, state and POW-MIA flags stood at half-mast today at the McKinley County Sheriff’s office, in honor of slain Navajo Police Department Officer Houston James Largo.

Prior to Monday night's vigil for the fallen officer, McKinley County Under Sheriff Paul Lucero said, “Our condolences to his family. He was definitely a good officer and will be missed. Everyone is very sad here.”

MCSO deputies assisted NPD officers in apprehending shooting suspect Kirby Cleveland on Sunday, according to media reports.

Earlier Monday, in symbolic gesture, local law enforcement escorted the body in to the borders of the city to Rollie's Mortuary. Largo’s career spanned several years with the Gallup Police Department prior to his joining the NPD. He lived in Thoreau and served the Crownpoint district. He was 27.

Neon blue skies streaked with pink canopied the large gathering of about 100 people who had arrived early to the vigil. Twenty minutes later the crowd had swelled to about 200.

Everett Jim spoke to the gathered crowd holding their bright candles in the darkness. He said that he was a friend of Largo’s before he was an officer.

“He was a really smart guy," he said. "We were the original geek squad. No matter what, he brought laughter to our group. He could have been anything, like, an engineer or a scientist, but he took the humble path and became a warrior.”

Gallup Police Chief Phillip Hart thanked the community for showing up. Over 300 people were in attendance, and they ran out of candles early in the evening before the event started. Officers rushed out to find and purchase more, as many as they could, for the crowd.

“It’s times like this that keep us going to work everyday," Hart said. "We thank you for your support.”

Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez gave a long speech, in Navajo, and then in English, to the quiet, somber, crowd.

“I appreciate the chief and the Gallup Police Department for hosting this vigil tonight, the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department for their support, and let’s not forget our first responders, firefighters, EMT’s and all the people of Gallup and these surrounding areas," he said. "Whenever we’re in danger, we’re all one big family. We appreciate the donations you’ve given to the family, his parents, siblings, and the children. We mourn and our heart is broken for you. The entire Navajo Nation’s heart is broken for you. We need to instill respect for authority among our children.”

Sheriff Ron Silversmith of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department, who spent 30 years with the GPD, said, “He paid the ultimate sacrifice. He loved what he did. When I got the call and had to drive out there, it was horrible. When I got out there and found out that it was him, it was even worse.”

He continued, “If you have a police officer in your family, give them a hug and thank them, knowing what they have to go through out there and face to protect our community. Every once in awhile if you see an officer, just smile and wave at them or say hello. They appreciate that and it keeps them going. They’re there for you and your protection.”

Officer Chaplain Mike Kleeberger of the Gallup Police Department lead a closing prayer with a reading from Psalms. After the prayer, hugs were exchanged, and donations were accepted for the family. Anyone who wishes to assist the family of the fallen officer is asked to reach out to the Gallup Police Department, 451 Boardman Dr, Gallup, NM 87301 or call (505) 863-9365.

One suspect in custody

Staff Reports

The FBI Albuquerque Division issued a media update stating that Officer Houston James Largo, 27, has passed away Sunday from critical injuries incurred from being shot earlier that morning near Prewitt, N.M.

The officer was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque where he passed away at about 3 pm

Largo was a decorated officer who had served with the Navajo Nation Police Department for four years and six months. He was from Thoreau, N.M. and served with the Crownpoint District.

Suspect Kirby Cleveland was arrested; details about the suspect are still pending.

The case remains under investigation.

“One of the most trying times I have in serving as President of the Navajo Nation is when I get word that one of our police officers has had their life taken needlessly,” Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said. “It brings to mind the situations our officers face every day in responding to calls, getting in their unit and putting their lives on the line. It must be difficult for family members to know their loved ones might not return.”

Vice President Jonathan Nez said that police officers deserve respect for serving at the utmost in their line of duty.

“We need to re-instill teaching respect for authority throughout our tribal community," Nez said. "Our Navajo Nation police officers risk their lives everyday to protect our communities.  Officer Largo is a great example of an officer who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the life of another.  We salute Largo and his service to the Navajo Nation.”

Begaye also called for continued support of police officers who are protecting the Navajo Nation.

“We give our condolences to the family of Officer Largo and we will hold them up in prayer. We will support you. Our nation mourns for you as does the country,” Begaye said. “Our officer’s lives are precious. They are the ones who stand guard over our nation and protect us.”

Story last updated at 7:06 pm.

Gallup voters decide who leads two council districts March 14 and by the looks of it the candidates vying for District 3 could make things quite interesting.

DISTRICT 3 CONTENDERS

Growing up in Michigan, restaurateur Angela Chavez never imagined that she’d get deeply involved in municipal politics. But here she is, on the cusp of entering into a three-way election for a Gallup city council seat.

“I’ve served on boards, but I’ve never held elected office,” Chavez said during a recent interview with the Gallup Sun. “But I feel it’s something that I can do and can do well.”

Chavez has lived in the Indian Capital the past 24 years and owns and operates Angela’s Café at 201 E. Historic Highway 66. She said infrastructure, the city’s aging water and sewer lines, panhandling and doing something about the number of vacant buildings downtown are platform priorities. The condition of city streets can be maintained a little better, Chavez said.

“I think there are solutions to a lot of these problems,” Chavez said at a recent candidate forum. “We just have to find them.”

Esco Chavez, a former city and parks and recreation director, wants the job for the long haul. But so do incumbent Yogash Kumar and political newcomer Angela Chavez.

Esco Chavez, no relation to Angela, a Gallup native and graduate of New Mexico State University, has never held public office in McKinley County.

“I am the voice and person for the people,” Chavez said. “This is something that I want to do.”

Chavez said he’d like to see a lot more done with panhandling and the condition of city streets and wants to re-open the Ford Canyon Senior Center. “Potholes and panhandlers,” Chavez said. “That’s all you here when somebody starts talking about Gallup.”

Regarding potholes, Chavez said the city needs a plan whereby repaving is done slowly but surely on a weekly basis. On panhandling, he said perhaps more police enforcement is needed. In Gallup, aggressive panhandling can garner an arrest.

Chavez said to get at the panhandling epidemic, he’d get the panhandles and homeless people together and give them paid odd jobs on a daily basis, jobs like picking up trash or pulling weeds.

“I want to represent the people,” Chavez said. “That’s what I’m about. That’s why I’m running.”

A local hotelier, Kumar was first elected to the City Council four years ago. He is a former Gallup mayoral candidate. Kumar’s platform consists of economic development through tourism, bringing in new industry by the utilization of current assets and systematic infrastructure improvements. Kumar is a member of the board of directors off the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation.

Regarding panhandling, Kumar said at a recent political forum at the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce that there is an ordinance on the books, but unless city police catch the culprits panhandling in an aggressive manner, there isn’t a lot police can do to enforce the ordinance.

“They have a right to be there, as long as they aren’t being aggressive,” Kumar said at the political forum.

DISTRICT 1 CONTENDER

Like Kumar, District 1 incumbent Linda Garcia was first elected four years ago. A retired municipal court legal assistant, Garcia is unopposed in District 1. Born and raised in Gallup, Garcia is against the issuing of more liquor licenses, “because we have too many already and that has become a problem,” Garcia said.

Garcia and fellow councilwoman Fran Palochak are out front with respect to holding neighborhood association meetings. Garcia was instrumental several months ago in establishing a neighborhood watch Program in Gallup’s Roosevelt neighborhood. Garcia’s political platform includes beautification, infrastructure improvements and the placement of speed bumps in neighborhoods to cut down on speeding.

Gallup councilors serve four-year staggered terms and earn an annual salary of $21,000. The election is Tuesday.

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent