Shepherd announces run for Apache County supervisor

 GANADO

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Alton Joe Shepherd (Jeddito/Cornfields/ Ganado/ Kinlichee/ Steamboat) announced he will run for Apache County District II Supervisor in the upcoming Democratic primary.

Shepherd made the announcement Sunday at the Ganado Chapter House and will face off against current supervisor Tom White Jr.

“(Shepherd) has integrity, he has courage… That’s the kind of leader that we need for our community, for our children,” said Julius Elwood, former legislative district assistant to Shepherd. “We need somebody strong but with a soft heart, that speaks up for us and holds other leaders accountable.”

Apache County District II includes the communities of Ganado, Sawmill, Fort Defiance, Cornfields, Cottonwood/Tselani, Houck, Kin Dah Lichii, Klagetoh, Nazlini, Steamboat, Wheatfields/Tsaile and Wide Ruins.

“Many people across the Apache County District II have expressed to me a need for change,” stated Shepherd. “They do not see or receive any services from the county (and complain about) the lack of road maintenance and road improvements, unsafe school bus routes.

“Many have been told all county services are limited by policy, management and funding,” added Shepherd. “Are we just going to continue to push dirt? We need to develop long and short range plans for our roads.”

As a council delegate, Shepherd sits as the chair for the Resource and Development Committee. Should he win the supervisor’s position, Shepherd said he will finish out his duties as a council delegate.

“I’m going to continue to do that, basically the people voted me in for four years,” said Shepherd. “This is based on my word to continue to fulfill the people’s votes.”

Shepherd said that in order to balance both jobs, should he be elected, it will be about finding the right people to assist him so he can continue to be an effective leader for both the county and the nation.

“You have to put the right people in those positions,” said Shepherd. “Giving them the direction that I’m going to give is basically what we need accomplished…”

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