GALLUP, N.M. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer joined New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), City of Gallup Mayor Louie Bonaguidi, and officials with the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation for a site visit Nov. 23 for the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project that is currently under construction and delivering much-need water resources for Navajo families in the state of New Mexico.

“Water is life and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is essential to delivering clean water to thousands of our Navajo people. This project is bringing water infrastructure to more and more homes as construction continues. We thank our congressional delegation, including Congresswoman Leger Fernández for championing this effort and continuing to support more funding for water needs in our communities. Together, we are making progress for our people through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will also fund the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement,” Nez said.

Leger Fernández advocated for investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for water infrastructure, including the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project. On Nov. 15, Nez and Leger Fernández joined President Joe Biden at the White House for the signing of the infrastructure bill, which also included $2.5 billion to fully fund existing Indian Water Rights Settlements.

“New Mexicans have always recognized the fragility of our water resource. We must protect it from threats like climate change and drought. We know that without it we cannot have safe schools, thriving businesses, successful farmers and ranchers, and a vibrant community. That’s why I’m proud to have helped secure funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the Indian Water Rights Settlement Fund that funds the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project,” Leger Fernández said. “This funding will get us one step closer toward completing this project.  I’m committed to continuing to work with all of the partners of the project to ensure that it receives the financial support it needs to cross the finish line.”

Leger Fernández also played an instrumental role in securing $67 million in funding for the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project in this year’s House passed appropriations bill, which is also supported by Nez and Lizer.

“We are very thankful to Congresswoman Leger Fernández, Gallup Mayor Bonaguidi, and our federal partners for meeting with us on a consistent basis to ensure that the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is completed successfully. We look forward to the next phase of the project that will deliver even more water to our Navajo communities west of the current construction sites. Water infrastructure is essential to elevating the quality of life and creating more economic opportunities for our Navajo people,” Lizer said.

New Mexico State Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Dist. 5, was also in attendance to offer her support for the project. She stated, “It is amazing to see the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project making progress. 40 years of work in the making by many people from many different entities is finally coming to fruition. This reliable supply of water is so important to our communities in Gallup and our surrounding Navajo communities. Water is one of five most precious elements of nature, so precious we cannot survive more than a few days without it. Our constituents are grateful for this good news."

Nez previously visited the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project’s Cutter Lateral Water Treatment Plant, located in Dzil Na Oodilii, N.M., which will facilitate the delivery of clean water to rural Navajo communities and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The Cutter Lateral is one of two major water pipelines being developed as a result of the San Juan River Water Rights Settlement between the Navajo Nation and the state of New Mexico.

Probation violators who failed to comply with their probation requirements found out how serious the McKinley County Sheriff's Office can be when deputies began making arrests Nov. 18.

Samuel Sandoval was located on Arnold Drive in Gallup. He had fentanyl pills on him at the time of his arrest.

Cristina Quintana, another occupant of the residence, was found to have outstanding warrants against her.

After deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence, a .45 caliber pistol was found.

Sandoval is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess a firearm.

Deputies also found evidence of narcotics being disposed of prior to the forced entry by Adult Probation.

Sandoval was arrested on two outstanding warrants, trafficking a controlled substance and a probation violation. He was also charged with poessession of a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Quintana was arrested on two outstanding warrants, one for battery and one for a restraining order violation.

Gallup Housing Authority served an eviction notice at the residence.

Undersheriff James Maiorano said the arrests were part of an ongoing Sheriff's Office effort to clear up outstanding bench warrants, and attack drug distribution and improve the quality of life in Gallup neighborhoods.

A brush fire on Nov. 18 sent McKinley County Sheriff's officers and members of the New Mexico State Police to a group of homeless encampments, one of which was burned to the ground. However, no one was injured.

State police joined the sheriff's office and McKinley County and Gallup Fire Departments to put out the blaze using fire extinguishers and shovels.

It is not known who started the fire, but one woman in the camp was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant out of Gallup Municipal Court for shoplifting.

That arrest marked the fifth bench warrant arrest for MCSO on Nov. 18.

Howitzer 105 dedicated at Courthouse Square

Veterans’ Day 2021 was a day of remembrance, with wreaths placed at Hillcrest Cemetery, 960 W. Aztec Ave. #1044, at the graves of unknown veterans and names presented on a pillar at Courthouse Square, 215 W. Aztec.

The day also brought former Mayor Jackie McKinney together with current Mayor Louis Bonaguidi at Courthouse Square for the dedication of a decommissioned cannon and City Councilor Fran Palochak, Dist. 4’s reading of the names of veterans newly-appearing on a memorial pillar.

Sixty-three names were added to the pillar thanks to the work of artists Howard Meehan of Silent Wing (Santa Fe), William Freer of Firefly Studios (Santa Fe), Veterans Committee volunteer Bebe Sarmiento of Gallup, and Gallup Parks and Recreation Director Vince Alonzo.

Joe Zecca, a Korean War U.S. Navy veteran is the chair of the Gallup McKinley County Veterans Committee. He told the Sun he’s been putting on this event for so long he doesn’t remember when he started.

He said the reason for the cannon is that McKinney wanted something patriotic at the time he was mayor. But the cannon only arrived this year. It was dedicated Nov. 11 and McKinney was there for the ceremony.

Also invited to speak at Courthouse Square were Rep. Patty Lundstrom, D-Gallup, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Rehoboth, and Sen. George Muñoz, D- Gallup.

Dave Cuellar of Veterans Helping Veterans told the Sun there would be no parade this year since the COVID-19 regulations kept changing and it was hard to know what to expect.

The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services listed numerous ceremonies across the state, including one at Sheep Springs Cemetery on Highway 491 in Sheep Springs, N.M. and a horseback trail ride south of Shiprock, N.M. at Mile Marker 73 on Highway 491.

By Beth Blakeman
Managing Editor