Part 1 of 2

Dear Editor:

With all the recent controversy regarding the removal of Larry Casuse memorial by the City, I have been thinking about whether to say anything or not.  I know “racism” is a touchy issue to talk about because most people like to believe it doesn’t exist anymore.

Anyway, it reminded me of a book I read in March of 2008 written by a man named Edward Gilbreath.  The book is called “Reconciliation Blues.”   He was writing about what he saw in the segment of society known as White Evangelical Christianity, which has had its share of problems with “integration”.

He told of how on his first Pastoral assignment he and his wife took an associate...

April 16, 2017

I recently read about a City sponsored solar project going to the County Commissioners asking for a 6-to-8 year tax abatement, which mean they would not have to pay taxes on equipment to the tune of $800,000 to $1,000,000.

I understand local businessman Joe DiGregorio spoke against granting the tax abatement mainly citing the Counties deteriorating finances, which is limiting County services and causing employee layoffs.  He felt the Commissioners should protect future tax revenues and he wasn’t convinced the energy savings would be realized as predicted.

Well, I tend to agree with Mr. “D”.  He is a very smart businessman.

Here is my take on the situation. ...

** The World Health Organization has determined that the number one environmental health hazard in the world is indoor air pollution – and it has nothing to do with second hand smoke. Nearly four million die every year from indoor pollutants, largely from indoor cook stove fuels like wood, coal and cow dung. The pollutant is extremely fine particulate matter that settles deeply in the lungs causing a multitude of respiratory problems, heart disease and stroke, primarily to children, women and elderly confined to the home all day. It was the same health hazard which shortened lives previous to the 20th century, and was effectively ended by the availability of fossil fuel energy.

**...

March 6, 2017

I have been thinking very hard about whether I should talk about the NHA situation.  My Dad [Rex T. Kontz] used to say “Richard you need to understand:  in Tribal government and politics the people with power can’t stand the truth, the truth hurts too much”.   He also said: “you can’t expect people to really trust you if you don’t tell the truth”.  So, with those thoughts in mind, I will say the following.

As pointed out by the press NHA has received over $1.5 billion since 1998 in NAHASDA grants to provide Indian housing on the Navajo Nation.  These funds were to manage existing public housing projects, the mutual help housing program and to develop...