‘Efficiency’ is buzzword of Maryboy’s campaign
By Cindy Yurth
Tséyi’ Bureau
CHINLE, June 12, 2014
Maryboy
Kenneth Maryboy’s main focus in running for the presidency is “to improve the tribe’s operating efficiency,” according to a press release titled “Platform Outline — Biography Notes."
“The executive branch oversees divisions, departments and enterprises that are in place to serve the Navajo people and Mr. Maryboy will make sure they do a better job of it,” the release reads. “Kenneth will start by staffing his cabinet with the best and brightest and follow through by holding them accountable to plans of action that will improve service and eliminate waste; with a concentrated effort to avoid funding being withheld or returned to state and federal agencies due to program inefficiencies."
Although this is Maryboy’s first run for president, he has plenty of political experience, currently serving as both a San Juan County (Utah) commissioner and Navajo Nation Council delegate representing Mexican Water, Red Mesa, Tolikan and Aneth. He is Biih Bitoo’nii (Deer Spring People Clan) born for Tl’aaschi’i (Red Bottom People Clan) and a direct descendant of Chief Manuelito, according to the biographical notes in his press release. He lives in Bluff, Utah.
If elected, he will be the first Utah Navajo to be president of the Navajo Nation.
Trained as a welder at Utah Technical College, Maryboy currently is a professional public activities announcer.
If elected, according to the release, Maryboy will institute a Navajo Nation Division of Labor with a cabinet-level director.
“The labor secretary will end the underutilization of workforce development funds as highlighted by the Washington Times’ notorious Golden Hammer award, given to the tribe last fall; by working closely with building and trade organizations so that Navajos gain skills with good prevailing wages,” the release reads.
“Additionally the labor secretary will work to alleviate the concerns of corporate America when looking at the Navajo Nation and its convoluted labor laws, which has led to a redlining of the reservation by national retailers when developing locations to serve the large reservation population."
Another hallmark of a Maryboy administration would be “quality of life” projects such as parks, swimming pools, athletic areas and community halls. He would “ensure that they are accessible and available for the people to use as they would like rather than being closed off and heavily restricted,” the release reads.
At the center of Maryboy’s efficiency campaign would be core government functions such as public safety, roads, infrastructure and education, according to the release.
“An efficient tribal government under a Maryboy administration will hire more officers, maintain the roads and expand a true Department of Diné Education that emphasizes common core standards and Diné culture and language,” says the release.
“Many of these involve multiple federal, state and county entities so Mr. Maryboy will form presidential task force committees that include representatives of all agencies involved so that the Navajo Nation operates in a uniform manner reservation-wide."
Describing poverty as “epidemic” on the Navajo Nation, the release promises Maryboy will “take immediate and effective action to make the tribe more supportive to job creators of any sort."
“The Navajo people are natural entrepreneurs, yet nearly all commerce is currently forced to be conducted in person-to-person meet-and-swap style rather than a more traditional brick-and-mortar retail environment,” it continues. “The Navajo Nation must make it easier for businesses large and small to invest and build on the reservation."
The release credits Maryboy for “tremendous expansions” in land and water rights for his Navajo constituents as a county commissioner, and says that experience would give him good background for the water rights and allotment issues that continually surface on Navajo.
As for veterans, Maryboy supports the recent partnership between Navajo veterans and Home Depot Corp. advocating its expansion into “Helmets to Hardhats” initiatives to train veterans in skills like welding and carpentry.
Maryboy and his wife Cheryl, to whom he has been married since 1979, have four living children and nine living grandchildren. One child and one grandchild are deceased.
“Kenneth Maryboy for Navajo Nation President — A New Beginning,” is a slogan that rings loudly in a crowded field of 17 candidates,” states the release.
How to get The Times: