Proposals create positive steps for strengthening local economy

The Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation gathered with representatives of businesses, the arts, volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, tourism, energy, as well as city, county, and tribal officials at El Morro Theatre for an Economic Roundtable to discuss the work being done to boost economic and community growth through strategic focus on three key areas of the local economy: downtown, tourism, and energy.

During the roundtable, the group discussed how investments in downtown, tourism and business retention and expansion efforts present significant opportunities to grow the economy of Gallup-McKinley...

City most likely to contract with new firm in months

The Gallup City Council has unanimously agreed to a month-to-month extension of an agreement that allows the Pennsylvania-based Severn Trent Services to continue operating the west-side wastewater treatment plant. The action took place at the July 12 regular city meeting and did not receive opposition from council members or members of the general public.

The agreement permits Severn Trent, which originally entered into a contractual agreement with the city for managerial services in May 2010 at an annual rate of $1.1 million, to operate and maintain the plant and its related facilities. The agreement expired June 30, 2016.

City...

KAYENTA, Ariz.—Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Kayenta Veterans Clinic on July 12.

The clinic is the third location to open on the Navajo Nation and the sixth Veterans Association clinic activated in northeastern Arizona since 2010.

Operating for one day a week, the new clinic will extend to five days per week as utilization grows, providing primary care, mental health, and limited specialty services.

Enrollment and eligibility services will also be provided.

Vice President Nez viewed the facilities and state-of-the-art medical equipment, which provide extended service via tele-health services. Cameras and...

GPD Chief: ‘More promotions to come’

The Gallup Police Department held a formal ceremony July 18 to promote Erin Toadlena-Pablo from the rank of sergeant to that of lieutenant. The ceremony took place at police headquarters on Boardman Drive and was attended by a few dozen personnel from the GPD and family members of Toadlena-Pablo.

“She is very deserving of the honor,” new Gallup Police Chief Phillip Hart said of Toadlena-Pablo.

“There were a few individuals whose promotions were already on the table when I arrived and ready to get done,” Hart, who was hired as police chief about three weeks ago, said. “This was one of them.”

Toadlena-Pablo started working with the...