Letters: White opposes realignment Of Apache County boundaries

Over the last year, Barry Weller, supervisor for District III, Apache County, along with a group of citizens from the Concho and Vernon areas, have led an effort to re-align the boundaries of Apache County.

What they want to do is remove all of the citizens that reside in the areas of Concho, Vernon, Eager, Springerville, Nutrioso, Alpine, and have them attached to Greenlee County.

Their desire is to split the county with the area around St. Johns and everything north and into the Navajo Nation remaining as Apache County, and everything else outside of St. Johns and to the south going to Greenlee County. I am opposed to any actions that would re-align the historical boundaries of Apache County.

There are many reasons for this, some of which are as follows:

1. The people wanting to re-align the county say they are far outnumbered, two to one. They are referring to the residents of the Navajo Nation portion of Apache County. This is a racial position and I am offended by it. Apache County residents of the Navajo Nation have just as many rights and say in their government as the residents that reside in Concho and Vernon. The board has chosen to have five Board of Supervisors meetings on the Navajo Nation. Supervisor Weller refuses to attend any meeting that is held on the Navajo Nation in either District I or District II.
2. If the legislature approved a re-alignment of Apache County, the funding formulas would change. The road programs that have been developed over the years on the Navajo Nation would be put in jeopardy. Also, taxes would increase significantly for the residents living in the area around St. Johns, as well as for the Coronado Generating Plant that is owned by the Salt River Project. Many of the offices like the sheriff’s office and the courts would also be impacted by a re-alignment of county boundaries. All funding formulas would be changed.
3. For many years the different districts of Apache County have had good working relationships. With the election of Supervisor Barry Weller, all of this has changed. Instead of working together, the board meetings have become very divided with Supervisor Weller voting against many items on any agenda. The only way we can progress as a county is if we work together. The divisiveness that Supervisor Weller has brought into the county has not been helpful.
4. One of the reasons stated by the group trying to re-align the county is that some of the elected officials are not qualified. They also state that they have concerns over jurisdiction on the Navajo Nation. These things have been settled long ago by the courts. The road work that is done on the Navajo Nation greatly benefits our school children. Law enforcement that is provided also is a great benefit to the residents living on the Navajo Nation. This group, along with Supervisor Weller, want to change all of this. They want to go back to the day when no road work was done on the Navajo Nation and all supervisors were elected from the southern portion of the county. It is far better when we all work together and share in the funding that is generated from the state of Arizona and other sources for the benefit of all. It has been proven the county residents of the Navajo Nation generate a significant amount of the revenue received by the county due to the way the funding formulas account for unincorporated population.

In their effort to re-align the county, Supervisor Weller and the group that supports him, created a bill (House Bill 2040) that would create a study committee to look at re-aligning certain county boundaries.

Myself, along with County Manager Delwin Wengert, County Attorney Michael Whiting, and Supervisor Joe Shirley Jr., worked very hard with our elected representatives and senators at the state capital to defeat this bill. Currently, the bill is in the Counties and Municipalities Committee but has not moved forward. I will watch the bill carefully and do everything I can to make sure that it does not progress.

Tom M. White Jr.
Apache County District II Supervisor
Fort Defiance, Ariz.

Rekindle your Inner flames

Every person needs their inner flames rekindled so that, in turn, they might empower future generations. Are there people in your life who have lit your inner hopes and dreams – to keep you inspired? Reflect back on your own life, and on individuals who uplifted you and lit your fire to face life’s challenges.

You might think of family members and educators who were supportive mentors for your future. Perhaps they offered words of encouragement that you still carry today. Have you ever thought of the people who helped build up your strength, resiliency and the all-important humor? Your key people helped in sparking your future possibilities.

Perhaps you had many challenges to fit into mainstream society as a young adult or as an urban Diné.  Were there individuals who coached you on life and social skills? How did you learn to handle stress, instead of resorting to the cop-out addictions? Which person(s) enlightened you with spirituality and generosity of heart?

As parents, educators and leaders, we especially need to mentor and encourage our youth to keep preserving in reaching their goals and keeping their flames lit. The Diné values of self-sufficiency are a lesson I’m reading about in “Lefthanded, Son of Old Man Hat”, an autobiography written in 1938. In the book, the main character, Lefthanded learns to live the Diné principles of honesty, foresightedness and self-discipline at home.

It is our duty to impart some Diné wisdom and rekindle the knowledge that helped to improve our lifestyles. Let’s share our songs and prayers so our children may face challenges with strength and solid principles.  Together, let’s rekindle the ageless fires and life lessons and use these flames to motivate our loved ones for success, our beloved future Diné generations.

Lolita Paddock
Western Agency Representative
Navajo Nation Women’s Commission
Navajo Mountain, Utah

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