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Weekly Edition | Jan. 19, 2012 | By: NPStaff

alex.c@thenavajopost.com

Navajo President Ben Shelly

WINDOW ROCK – Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly sets the tone in his 2012 agenda for the Navajo people; Government reform, a new casino, law enforcement improvements, Energy policy, federal budgets, and scheduled town hall meetings. The President is faced with stark opposition from the ’24′ Navajo Council.

Mr. Shelly took his message to the people. “I want my marching orders to come from the people” said President Shelly.

Recently, San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen slammed Navajo officials for poor law enforcement, but on Sunday at a town hall meeting Mr. Shelly ensured community residents that the Navajo Nation is collaborating with other entities to find a solution regarding law enforcement presence in Nageezi and neighboring communities. The town hall was held at the Nageezi Chapter House and nearly 80 people attended the meeting including state and San Juan County officials and several council delegates.

Mr. Shelly emphasized improving the Navajo Nation Code of laws to be more aggressive with penalties. “When people drive drunk, there’s not much we can do about that because there’s no teeth in that law,” Mr. Shelly said. The President added that Navajo laws aren’t as tough as state laws for drunk driving and other offenses.

In attendance at the meeting was San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen, who echoed his stance on the position that his office isn’t interested in cross commissioning with Navajo police. The Shelly Administration, said they have been meeting with the United States Department of Justice to find better ways to improve Navajo Public Safety issues and concerns. “We have been talking about the problem we have with funding law enforcement” said Shelly.

Making the move.

President Shelly at the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, said they would like to see a Department of Indian Affairs at a State level, a transaction privilege tax (TPT) which could be credited for businesses on the Navajo Nation, and asked for support for some key Navajo Nation issues from the State.

“To enter into a new realm of collaboration, we must create an Indian Affairs Department in the state of Arizona,” President Shelly said.

Mr. Shelly said too many opportunities for job growth have been lost due to the lack of communication to the state’s highest leaders, such as Gov. Jan Brewer. The creation of a department of Indian affairs would be a cabinet position giving a voice to Native Tribes throughout Arizona. Among other things discussed, Mr. Shelly said “We need support for Navajo Generating Station,” adding “The U.S. EPA is proposing new technologies that could close the plant and put 500 people out of work.” He also asked for support to obtain the necessary permits needed to begin construction of the Big Boquillas Wind Project.

With the creation of the Navajo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Shelly addressed business tax incentives for businesses who conduct business on the Navajo Nation.  “Let’s provide a portion of the TPT to the Navajo Nation. Perhaps we can create a tax credit against the TPT,” the President said. Moreover, the President would like Gov. Brewer to halt new gaming compacts. “I respectfully request no further expansion of gaming,” President Shelly stated. “We are asking that the state not expand gaming into private interests.”

President Shelly also signed an executive order reaffirming his support of a $1 billion project. President Shelly signed the order Jan. 3 that states the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is a priority project of the Navajo Nation.

“The project is a huge challenge for the Navajo Nation that will cost nearly $1 billion and bring much needed water to the Navajo Nation and others. I know our programs have done a lot of work till now, but we need to stay focused and see this project through to completion,” President Shelly said.

Mr. Shelly, also praised President Obama for the project and said this project will create jobs for the Navajo Nation. The administration also urges chapters to use their funding wisely. “I encourage all you chapters to spend your money wisely, use it for gravel for your roads, hay for your animals, wood for the elderly, scholarships for students, and to haul water during the summer.”

This 2012 is also a Presidential Election on a national level, with uncertainty of the outcome of that election the Navajo President and Tribes throughout Arizona will be faced with  huge cuts if Mr. Obama looses in Nov. 2012.