You can be a hero without a cape

The City of Gallup opened its regular meeting Sept. 24 by introducing a VIP: Sparky, the mascot dog of the Gallup Fire Department and the National Fire Protection Association.

Mayor Jackie McKinney issued a proclamation by the City of Gallup declaring Oct. 6 - 12 as Fire Prevention Week.

The message Gallup Fire Department wants to spread for Fire Prevention Week 2019 is “Not every hero wears a cape.” That includes Sparky.

Fire Prevention Week will involve numerous activities and information sessions that will help to ensure the safety and security of Gallup residents, McKinney said.

“We will urge people to be aware of their surroundings and find a way out of a building in case of an emergency,” McKinney said, detailing what will be taught during Fire Prevention Week and how the city will support public safety efforts.

Fire Chief Eric Babcock voiced his appreciation for the proclamation, and said he hopes people will come out to help spread the joys of fire prevention. Babcock received a plaque from the mayor bearing the proclamation, and he, along with members of Gallup Fire Department, including Sparky, posed for photos.

Then, the Fire Chief announced an open house at Gallup Fire Department, 1800 S. Second St., for Oct. 5 to kick off Fire Prevention Week.  Another way youngsters in the community can get involved is by visiting Sparky The Fire Dog at his Facebook page, on Twitter @Sparky_Fire_Dog and at www.sparky.org

“You are the heroes of this community, not the ones who wear a cape,” McKinney said.

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent

Gallup Police Department is investigating a structure fire that occurred about 3 am Oct. 1. The fire broke out at the Gardenia Hotel, 1305 W. Hwy. 66.

Captain Erin Toadlena-Pablo said the fire resulted in extensive structure damage to the southeast corner of the motel, which caused the business to close. She said fourteen people were displaced by the blaze, and were assisted later in the morning by American Red Cross.

Gallup police and Gallup Fire Department are working to determine the cause of the fire.

If anyone has any information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Gallup Police Department (505) 863-9365, Metro Dispatch at (505) 722-2002 or Crime Stoppers at 1-877-722-6161.

Five neighborhoods to receive new sidewalks, curbs

Staff from the City of Gallup and DePauli Engineering and Surveying held a neighborhood meeting Sept. 16 in which they addressed questions and comments about the Whole Block Reconstruction Project.

During the meeting, Gallup Public Works Director Stanley Henderson, said the current project in District 3 is the second part of the overall projection, and indicates five neighborhoods.

The Dist. 3 reconstruction includes Linda Drive and Nizhoni Boulevard, stretching between Sophie Avenue and Red Rock Drive. The project consists of removing soil, concrete, and landscape, and installing new curbs, gutters, and ADA-compliant sidewalks, according to a flyer from the City of Gallup.

Henderson said the project has been in development for about five years now, and the current phase, including research and design and then construction, cost about $1.6 million.

The Whole Block Reconstruction Project started in 2016, and each leg of the project received one year of planning time, followed by one year of construction time.

“We bring our recommendations to the city council based on the [project] budget and the council selects the areas for construction,” Henderson said.

The neighborhoods selected by the city council are ones that tend to have schools in them, Henderson explained.

“That’s where the kids are, those streets have no existing sidewalks,” he said.

A resident of Linda Drive, Chelsea Kettering, attended the meeting to ask the city staff about the public drainage easement that would address concerns about flooding nearby homes.

Kettering explained that one of her neighbors damaged a drainage pipe while performing maintenance work in his yard, He did not ask permission from the city to make any changes to the pipe prior to the incident. After that happened, Kettering told city staff, that the City of Gallup had marked it for private maintenance and was refusing to maintain it.

The reconstruction project means the city would go back to maintaining the drainage system in the neighborhood.

“We are excited to have sidewalks because we want the water to be drained [from Linda Drive] properly,” Kettering said.

Ed Gonzales, of DePauli Engineering and Surveying, said the plan layout should get water in the street flowing from Nizhoni Boulevard to the drainage on Linda Drive. As is, the street water on Nizhoni still creates a hazard for drivers, he added.

“If there is funding available, we can [extend it],” Gonzales said when asked if there are plans to expand on the drainage route.

Gonzales also voiced his appreciation for the work done by the city council on the project.

“They are getting us enough money to make a difference in these neighborhoods,” he said.

The second leg of the Whole Block Reconstruction Project is slated to start Sept. 27, and is scheduled to be finished in about 26 days, Gonzales said.

As far as road closures are concerned, Gonzales said the plan is to keep one lane open for traffic.

Henderson said the road issues in local neighborhoods have created a lot of inconveniences in the past, but after completing the first leg of the project, he said the city has heard nothing but praise about neighborhood road conditions.

“It’s now just a matter of getting to that point with other neighborhoods,” Henderson said.

Dist. 3 Councilor Yogash Kumar said he had been pushing for a project like this for a long time, when the city had to rebuild sidewalks one section at a time, depending on their budget.

“The Whole Block Reconstruction Project is more cost effective [than rebuilding one section] and it looks better at the end of the day,” Kumar said.

Kettering also voiced her appreciation for what the city is prepared to do with the project.

“I’m really thankful for the work that you are pushing to get this done,” she said. “My family dreamed of having sidewalks when we purchased our home, so I’m glad it’s happening.”

Kumar said he would like to hold another meeting about the next stages of the project, but no future meetings are currently scheduled.

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent

RMCHCS golf tourney raises $350K

The Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services raised approximately $350,000 of a $750,000 goal to upgrade and renovate the Dr. Philip Kamps Women’s Health and Birthing Center. The funds were raised at its 23rd Annual Charity Invitational Golf Tournament on September 14 at the Fox Run Golf Course in Gallup.

“Our fund raising efforts set a new record with the highest amount raised in the tournament’s 23-year history,” RMCHCS CEO David Conejo said. “This will go a long way to upgrading the Women’s Health Center by providing a superior level of birthing and overall care for the women of McKinley County. We thank the community for their generous support.”

The tournament drew dozens of golfers into 17 teams with 39 sponsors representing local businesses and independent groups.

Golfer’s entry fee packages included meals, green fees, golf carts, range balls, gifts, prizes, and a goody bag. There were also individual prizes for the longest drive and the closest to the pin, won by Ernie Abeita and Joe Colaianni, respectively. Unfortunately, no one won a new automobile which was the prize for a hole-in-one.

The winning teams claimed cash prizes and a set of Bluetooth headphones. First prize of $175 was claimed by the Amigos car dealership’s team of Rafa Rodriguez, Michael Peters, Richard Madrid and Victor Garcia. A $150 second prize was Abeita’s Oil Company’s team of Ernie and Albert Albeita, Raymond Etcitty and Paul Acosta. Winners of the headphone set were Auxiliary members William Lewis, Buddy Balkovitch, Victor Madrid and Thomas Martinez.

Women’s Center Upgrades

Funds raised by the tournament will be used for labor and delivery beds, fetal monitors, comfortable visitor chairs, computers, and infant wards/resuscitation units.

“We want to change the vibe of the center and make mothers feel more connected to the birthing process and their families,” Director of the Women’s Health Center, Carrie Mikos said. “We want to ensure that labor, delivery, recover[y] and postpartum rooms are one physical unit that unites families rather than separating them by room functions and a central nurses station, instead of individual stations.”

These additions and renovations are the first phase of the project followed by a second phase consisting of College Clinic construction costs that will increase clinic space and expand the Family Medicine Residency Program.

“Our goal is to create a family atmosphere with learning opportunities that will result in McKinley County residents wanting to continue on with the hospital for its Family Medicine and Obstetrical Residency Program after they give birth.

A third phase is designed to focus on sustaining the residency program, expanding the College Clinic and building a future program.

2019 Charity Invitational Golf Tournament Honoree

“In keeping with tradition, every year RMCH honors a hospital employee during the tournament for their outstanding service to the hospital,” said Rhonda Ray, director of marketing. “This year we selected Terry Fuhs, an RN, MSN, CEN, CPEN, and Clinical Educator.”

In 1978 Fuhs began her career with RMCH as an assistant nurse, eventually earning an LPN, RN, BSN, and MSN. Fuhs is a 41-year veteran of RMCH, having worked in various hospital departments while earning kudos and several awards, including RMCH Nurse of the Year, The Thomas Carmany Award, the 1994 NM Hospital Association Meritorious Awards for professional excellence, and volunteer efforts. She has also been named RMCHCS Employee of the Month three times.

Funds are still being raised for the Women’s Center as the next Charity Invitational event readies for the RMCHCS Gala October 19. Its theme is “Faces on Parade,” a masquerade ball. Attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly.

For more information on Women’s Center donations or the ball, contact Rhonda Ray or Clarice Begay at (505) 863-7024 or (505) 863-7283.

By William Madaras
For the Sun