PAGE 2 KAYENTA TODAY Commercial companies that wish to make For more information call Joann Begay, some money are moving to these areas. Recreational Leader at 928-697-8487 or Town Managers Report Naturally the Navajo Reservation is in the Jarvis Williams, 697-8451. middle of this area of rapid growth. When Summer is here and it is time for the out- Many people still don’t use the transfer sta- they look at the Navajo Reservation, they Recreational activities promote good health doors; gardening, cleaning garages, sight tion saying they can’t afford the $2.00 fee. realize it’s made up of a Federal Trust Land. and develop skills that can lead to a healthy To get more information they usually call seeing and many other outdoors activities. If an organization or a community group lifestyle throughout one’s life. sponsors a community clean up day, the fee their congressman in Washington, D.C. The is waived. This spring Dennehotso Chapter Congressman or Senator usually refers them Here on the Navajo Nation, outdoor is a Kayenta Township staff attends conferences way of life, whether around the house or out sponsored such a day and tons of trash was to a Congressman whose district includes delivered to the transfer station and the fee the Navajo Nation. In New Mexico portion in their specialized area of work. One of shopping, it’s always outdoors and wherever was waived. Other groups in the commu- of the Reservation, Congressman Tom Udall the staff attends emergency preparedness you go, the great outdoor is staring at you. nity have done similar things, including the or Heather Wilson gets the call. In Arizona, workshop in border communities. Three If you did not take a camera, you are miss- Kayenta Chapter on Earth Day. Kayenta it’s Congressman Rick Renzi or Senators staff members attend housing development ing some great shots! We who live in the Township Transfer Station also picks up John McCain or Jon Kyl. Sometimes, the seminars in Phoenix every other month. The country, we don’t realize that outdoor living trash in Oljato, Navajo National Monument, Governor of the State is called and his or Economic Planner serves on the Northern is a luxury that is beyond those who live in Chilchinbeto, and Shonto Chapter all at her office staff usually refers the call to the Arizona Council of Governments and at- the city or in an urban environment. cost. People from surrounding communi- Indian Commission under the State govern- tends their monthly meetings. The Finance ties always ask what we are doing for them ment. Usually, the Congressional office staff attended workshops in Flagstaff, In the old days, 40, 50, 70 or 100 years ago, since they shop and pay tax in Kayenta. We will either answer some of their inquiries provide these and other services for them but most of the time; the Congressional Farmington or Financial computer training Navajo spent most of their lives outdoors, in Spanish Fork, Utah at lease twice a year. herding sheep, hunting, tending to one’s and our service will continue to expand to staff refers them to the BIA in Washington surrounding communities such as Dennehot- or the Tribal Chairman or President of the The Director of Transfer Station attends cornfield, it was always the outdoors. When so and Red Mesa Hospital. The Navajo Reservation on which a tribe is located. Waste Management Seminar in Phoenix, the air was pure and clean, when there was Nation has waste management truck but After so many referrals, the businessman or Flagstaff or Albuquerque. The Public no pollution, when the springs, wells and the Township has picked up some of their woman is getting discouraged. They go to Relations person publishes Kayenta Today streams were crystal clear and clean, it was a service areas because of Township’s lower border communities and the reservation is monthly and participates and directs movies real healthy life, a healthy environment and cost and fees. by passed. on drugs and alcohol abuses, using local the only health problem was an occasional talents. Town Commissioners are elected As a state Legislator for 10 years, as a staff cold or flu. There are 110 Chapter Governments in the to four year staggered terms and member- three state areas of the Four Corners and if person for a congressman in Washington for one year, as a staff assistant to the Navajo ship consists of five members including one The wide open country is fast disappearing they set aside a land for a landfill or a trans- Nation Chairman for 12 years, I heard businessman, one mine worker, one utility as result of urban growth and uncontrolled fer station, then the trash problem might some of their comments: “I get a lot of run manager, one grassroot representative and development in rural areas. Where people disappear in the next 20 years and if that around, my questions are not being an- one construction owner. go, there’s pollution, trash and destruction happens we may very well save our land and swered, its more like a third world country of the scenic areas and contamination of the than America, maybe it’s better I go some- our environment. But we must act now and where else.” That is one of the reasons that Kayenta Township government has local au- eco-system. not later. there is very little economic or commercial thority in business leasing, development of development on most Indian reservations local ordinances and coordinates their activi- The Navajoland is still mostly rural and Dogs and cat problem is also uncontrolled. including Navajo. With very little devel- ties with the local chapter government, the opment, most of the dollars generated on open country, however pollution, trash and If you visit a place like Las Vegas, Phoenix, local school district, the local Indian Health contamination is rampant. While every Indian Reservations immediately leave the Albuquerque, Denver or Salt Lake City, reservation and are spent in border town Clinic, NTUA, Community School, Ari- Navajo family protects their land use area, someone will mention the dog problem on communities. To keep these dollars, we zona Department of Transportation, Navajo there are very little efforts in taking care of the Navajo Nation. Kayenta Township is have to develop our land for greater com- County, Peabody Coal Company, Navajo the land. Erosion is widespread; soil erosion working closely with Plateauland Veteri- mercial activities. Nation government, State of Arizona and the is out of control because of overgrazing nary in Flagstaff through scheduled clinics various federal and state agencies. and using vehicles on the open range. It’s in Kayenta and other communities in the To keep the young people busy and thereby keeping them off the streets at nights, unfortunate; it’s irresponsible and in many surrounding areas. Spaying and neutering A lot of Township staff activities involve respects its self-destruction. If the land is are the keys to animal control. Kayenta and Kayenta Township has recreational activities and programs. In 2006, Kayenta Township plannings, meetings with Tribal, County, destroyed, its irreplaceable and barren land other communities are the dumping areas established the first skate park on the Navajo State and Federal agencies on ongoing basis. cannot support life. The results are the same for unwanted animals so our efforts have to Nation. In 2007, Kayenta Township made Every project requires feasibility study, en- if you contaminate the land because uncon- be continuous in order to stay on top of the an agreement with Kayenta Chapter where- gineering survey, cost estimates, and designs trolled pollution of the land leads to health problem. by Kayenta Township rented the former and all of these take time. The Township is problems for humans and animals. This is Boys & Girls Club facilities for year round advertising for an in house Civil Engineer what is happening throughout the Navajo- Kayenta with a population of 3,000 residents recreational activities for youths, adults and to speed up some of these projects. The land, from East and West, from South to has similar problems as any other populated elderly. The facility required a lot of repairs, Township is also seeking an in-house Staff including plumbing to meet Indian Health North. We are destroying our land, our en- area on the Navajo Nation as well as other Attorney, also to expedite legal documents, Service Environmental Health Standards. vironment and ultimately ourselves. There communities throughout America and be- policy development and ordinances. are a few who stop and pick up trash and a yond. These are problems include: vandal- Kayenta Township hired a full time recre- few who use horses to herd sheep but a few ism, break-ins, gang activities, lawlessness. ational director with several part-time staff. Recreational activities include: Township Staff confers with other municipal won’t save the land or the rest of us. State governments, city governments, and 1.Summer Baseball League: governmental staff in border communities county governments deal with these social June 4-July 14 with T-balls, age 5-7. Minor to address many of these local government In Kayenta, many people have started to ills of our society. It cost precious resources league, age 8-10. Major league, ages 12 issues common to all local governments. take their trash to the local transfer station to address these problems. 2.Open Basketball: These kind of consultations offer short-cuts where the waste products are crushed and Ages 12 & up. Team activities & competi- to a workable solution and avoids re-invent- compacted and transferred to the nearest Recreational activities are very limited on tions are scheduled daily, weekly.