10-day appeal contemplated

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The Navajo Nation Office of Hearings and Appeals has dismissed a grievance filed by a challenger to the council delegate seat vacated by Mel Begay.

Theresa Becenti-Aguilar, who was one of 13 candidates to run for the vacancy, filed the grievance July 5. The election to fill the remaining year-and-a-half of Begay’s seat was June 28 and was won by Steven Begay of Naschitti.

Joe Aguirre, a hearing officer with the Office of Hearings and Appeals, responded to Becenti-Aguilar’s written claim on July 6. Aguirre wrote that the matter is “dismissed for lack of sufficiency.” The document suggests the dismissal was with prejudice.

“…...

Search in place to fill $60K position

The city is on the lookout for a custodian and an information specialist for the Octavia Fellin Public Library, in addition to a deputy director. A youth services librarian was recently hired to oversee operations at the Children’s Library.

Gallup Human Resources Director Klo Abeita confirmed the resignation of Fellin Deputy Director Suzanne Feldberg, who resigned May 31. The custodian and specialist positions opened up within the past few weeks.

Feldberg, 67, earned $60,000 annually in the deputy directorship job. She was previously a librarian at Hopi Junior-Senior High School in Keams Canyon, Ariz. Feldberg began the Gallup library job on...

‘The Mayors of Shiprock’ shot on Navajo Nation



Ramona Emerson of Tohatchi is the latest recipient of a grant from the New Mexico Film Foundation, officials announced this week.

The Navajo-born Emerson, who owns film production company Reel Indian Pictures, was awarded $3,600 from the NMFF toward the making of a new film documentary called The Mayors of Shiprock. The grant is a result of a partnership between the NMFF and the Albuquerque-based Isora Foundation.

“The [Isora Foundation’s] mission is to fund projects which empower individuals to improve conditions within their own communities,” Isora Foundation Director Wendy Wells said. “During our 2016 funding cycle, we...

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...