Navajo President and Council Delegates Meet with New Mexico Governor Martinez

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

SANTE FE, NEW MEXICO - Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and members of the Navajo Nation Council offered support for a redistricting plan when they met with New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez last Friday.

Navajo Nation President and Council Delegation meet with New Mexico Governor Martinez (c)

The President and the Council delegation of LoRenzo Bates, Mel Begay, and Edmond Yazzie agreed to support Governor Martinez for a redistricting plan that is going to be heard by the New Mexico State Supreme Court.

"The Navajo Nation is pleased with the trial court's decision in the New Mexico House of Representatives redistricting trial; we believe the outcome is a fair and lawful map that appropriately addresses voting rights issues raised by the Navajo Nation during the trial. As such, the Navajo Nation requests that the New Mexico Supreme Court affirm the trial court's decision in the House of Representatives appeal that is currently before it,"

said President Shelly.

The Navajo leaders met with Governor Martinez for nearly an hour and outlined other issues important to the President and the Council Delegates from New Mexico.

President Shelly asked the Governor to continue to support the Navajo Gallup Supply Water Project.

“Please work with us to make this project a reality,”

the President said.

President Shelly also thanked the Governor for helping create more law enforcement presence in along Highway 550. Recently, law enforcement agents from the Navajo Nation, San Juan County Sheriff's Office and New Mexico State Police have increase patrols by at least 20 officers and deputies.

The Tribal Infrastructure Fund was also a subject.

Some New Mexico lawmakers have asked TIF be cut in half, but Gov. Martinez said she wouldn't support any cuts to the Tribal Infrastructure Fund.

“We need to grow jobs,”

Governor Martinez said.

During the meeting, Council Delegate Bates announced that the Navajo Nation was ready to negotiate a gaming compact with New Mexico.

"If you call us tomorrow and tell us to come up, we will be ready,"

said Council Delegate Bates.

Council Delegate Yazzie updated the Governor about cross commissioning efforts in Socorro County and plans for cross commissioning in other counties.

Council Delegate Begay expressed his gratitude for continued construction of US Hwy 491 and that the construction is an economic boost for the communities.

Former Vice Chairman Frank E. Paul was also part of the meeting.

Paul, who currently is the Vice President of Ramah Chapter, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for helping gain some land for the chapter, and said the chapter is planning on building a community center.

Paul said he plans to tell his chapter what he said during this meeting.

"I'll tell the people some of their wishes have been made known to the Governor of the state,"

he said.

posted February 6, 2012 6:00 am est