Happenings Across the West
~~ Commission Meeting January 7 in Monticello
11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting
1. Approval of Minutes December 17, 2019
2. Citizens comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Ordinance Adopting the 2020 Annual Commission Meeting Schedule
4. Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Emergency Manager
5. Contract Amendment to Aging Waiver Budget Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
6. Letter of Thanks for Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
7. Grand Water and Sewer Service District Board Appointment Approval Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
8. Beer License Renewals John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
9. 2020 Commission Assignments
10. Commission Reports
1. Approval of Minutes December 17, 2019
2. Citizens comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Ordinance Adopting the 2020 Annual Commission Meeting Schedule
4. Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Emergency Manager
5. Contract Amendment to Aging Waiver Budget Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
6. Letter of Thanks for Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services Tammy Gallegos, San Juan County Aging Director
7. Grand Water and Sewer Service District Board Appointment Approval Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
8. Beer License Renewals John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
9. 2020 Commission Assignments
10. Commission Reports
~~ Doomers vs. Boomers: Generational Fear, Angst and Loathing by Jim Stiles
~~ Commission Meetings in Garfield County/ What's Up
~~ Fifty Years ago on the Navajo Reservation -Navajo Times Dec. 31
~~ 2019 in Review: Despite Negativity, US Economy Best in 50 years
~~ President Trump Signs Bill to Protect the Navajo Language
~~ BLM Funds Five Year Watershed Restoration Project
~~ Utah Groups Push Referendum on Tax Reform Law
~~A Spoof on Vegan Diets and Climate Change
~~ History of Voting Districts in San Juan County by former County Clerk Gail Johnson
~~ Western Governors Association Forcing Urban Values on Rural West
~~ A Sea of Change in San Juan County: Government Gone Sour
*Part 1: Rule by resolution. Kenneth Maryboy and Willie Grayeyes took their oaths of office as commissioners a little over a year ago after what was described as a “historic” election. They immediately staked their claim to power by choosing to govern primarily through resolutions written by their longtime private attorney and approved without advice or informed consent of virtually anyone in the county.
*Part 2: The Power of Non-Profit Organizations in County Politics: Bill Keshlear
"It’s hard to overstate the influence Utah Diné Bikéyah and its national allies have had in advocating for Native American interests connected with use and management of public lands in southeastern Utah." In its campaign to create Bears Ears National Monument, the organization succeeded in a way that eventually took a presidential election and proclamation to derail it.
The advocacy organization based in Salt Lake City has a staff of eight and an estimated 50 volunteers, according the latest IRS Form 990. It has assumed a visible lead in the national initiative to create Bears Ears National Monument.
Part of that success is directly attributable to its ability to tap funding sources outside of San Juan County and even Utah.
The organization had revenues of $1,281,371 in 2017 — all but $45,847 came from grants and contributions. Total revenue since UDB began reporting to the IRS beginning in 2014 is $2,656,931.
UDB and its allies give voice to a historically marginalized group of Americans. Ironically, voices of hundreds of Utah Navajos, unaffiliated with the nonprofits, have been muted in the multimillion-dollar, multiyear national political campaign. Though supposedly conducted on their behalf to create a sacred sanctuary to protect artifacts of indigenous peoples; it has instead focused on becoming a playground for tourists, rock climbers, mountain bikers and ATV riders.
In another strange twist, Attorney Kendall Laws wanted a legal firewall to protect the county, if the new commissioners crossed an ethical or legal line. And that’s what he got.
In an effort to oust him from office, the scheme was deemed “unlawful” and “unconstitutional” and was tabled. Both Grayeyes and District 1 Commissioner Bruce Adams voted in favor of this action; Maryboy abstained and expressed his disappointment.
*Part 3: Stonewalling Gramma Requests/ Commissioners Fail to Comply
"It’s hard to overstate the influence Utah Diné Bikéyah and its national allies have had in advocating for Native American interests connected with use and management of public lands in southeastern Utah." In its campaign to create Bears Ears National Monument, the organization succeeded in a way that eventually took a presidential election and proclamation to derail it.
The advocacy organization based in Salt Lake City has a staff of eight and an estimated 50 volunteers, according the latest IRS Form 990. It has assumed a visible lead in the national initiative to create Bears Ears National Monument.
Part of that success is directly attributable to its ability to tap funding sources outside of San Juan County and even Utah.
The organization had revenues of $1,281,371 in 2017 — all but $45,847 came from grants and contributions. Total revenue since UDB began reporting to the IRS beginning in 2014 is $2,656,931.
UDB and its allies give voice to a historically marginalized group of Americans. Ironically, voices of hundreds of Utah Navajos, unaffiliated with the nonprofits, have been muted in the multimillion-dollar, multiyear national political campaign. Though supposedly conducted on their behalf to create a sacred sanctuary to protect artifacts of indigenous peoples; it has instead focused on becoming a playground for tourists, rock climbers, mountain bikers and ATV riders.
In another strange twist, Attorney Kendall Laws wanted a legal firewall to protect the county, if the new commissioners crossed an ethical or legal line. And that’s what he got.
In an effort to oust him from office, the scheme was deemed “unlawful” and “unconstitutional” and was tabled. Both Grayeyes and District 1 Commissioner Bruce Adams voted in favor of this action; Maryboy abstained and expressed his disappointment.
*Part 3: Stonewalling Gramma Requests/ Commissioners Fail to Comply
~~ December 31, 2016: Anniversary of Bob Weaver's Tragic Death
"The case of Bob Weaver is not the first account in which military-style home raids, over-the-top interrogations, and cruel threats from federal agents have led to the deaths of decent, law-abiding citizens. On the morning of June 10, 2009, 140 BLM and FBI agents dressed in body armor and armed with automatic weapons, arrived in dozens of SUVS and stormed into the small town of Blanding, Utah, raiding the homes of more than 20 local citizens. "
~~ Far-left Groups Trying to stop Restoration Efforts GSNM --opinion
Political Cartoon by Jack AHasteen Begay, Navajo Times 12/19/19
