Store promises respectful representation

LEUPP - Jim Store has some ideas as to what constitutes a good chapter delegate.

To begin with, he believes in allowing the chapter administration to run chapter business on a daily basis without the interference or micromanagement by the council delegate.

If elected chapter delegate for Leupp, Birdsprings and Tolani Lake, Store promises to concentrate on infrastructure development - bringing water, power and better roads to community members.

Education is another issue Store intends to concentrate on.

"Where education is concerned, let's get back to the business of educating our youth," Store said. "Let's get back to educating our students and not look at a school as an employment opportunity for family members. Leupp Schools, Inc. has been run like that."

Store believes that a chapter should follow the General Accepted Auditing Principles (GAAP) and use the Navajo Nation Chart of Accounts in recording business.

Further, chapters must honor confidentiality of records.

"It bothers me to have sensitive records on file that are easily accessible. We are supposed to make the system safe - administrators are supposed to guard confidential information," Store said.

Store said that currently, confidential information is not secure in Leupp.

"The Navajo Nation has laws against this," Store said, promising that he would ensure that all confidential records remain secure.

Store also objects to what he sees as the current council delegate interfering with the operation of the chapter.

"Right now, there are policy decisions made to suit their needs, or to appease political supporters and relatives," Store said. "The chapter is supposed to have criteria for people requesting some type of assistance, and that is not followed. I suspect it is like that in every chapter. This is what I mean by 'micromanaging' the chapter."

Store believes that a reduction in the number of chapter delegates serving the Navajo Nation is crucial to economic security within the Nation.

"I believe we should move to 44 delegates," Store said. "If you go to the Navajo Nation Council and you watch them [the delegates], there are 12 to 15 delegates who actually move the council, that are active. The rest sit and listen. They don't take active roles. They are followers of the real leaders, and those leaders are usually the same ones."

Store looks at the amount of money the Nation spends for delegate travel costs.

"For example, a committee goes to Washington, and they are allowed only five minutes to speak," Store said. "One testifies, but 10 to 12 go as onlookers. They all watch one person testify, and they get paid for a day or two of travel time. To me, that is a waste of money. For that reason I think we need to reduce travel expenses."

Store also referred to committee meetings that take place in the same city and same time as another popular event such as the Indian Nation Rodeo Finals.

"The committee members meet for 30 minutes, and the rest [of the trip] is a vacation to them. This is a waste of money," Store said.

Store said that he traveled to the Finals 20 years ago, and observed this behavior personally. He believes it has now gotten worse and is out of hand.

Returning to his thoughts on the reduction of the number of chapter delegates, Store looks to the Arizona State Legislature.

"There we have 30 representatives, who each represent one to three million people," Store said. "We have 88 delegates, each representing less than 300,000 people.

Store would also like to see the president of the Navajo Nation given the power of line item veto.

"In a situation such as the passing of an annual budget, if delegates have problems with one item in the budget, they are required to reject the whole thing," Store said. "When that happens, there is animosity between the executive and legislative branch. Having line item veto power would allow for negotiation between Budget and Finance or any other standing committee."

A law allowing for negotiation would also eliminate the current situation where, when the president vetoes legislation, the council calls for a special session to override the presidential veto.

"This would allow all branches to work together more cooperatively," Store said.

Store promised that if elected delegate, he would put local Leupp, Birdsprings and Tolani Lake issues as top priority.

"I do not want to become a chairperson of a committee," Store said. "When a chapter's delegate becomes a chairperson, that committee becomes their top priority. Local issues are no longer a priority. Travel takes them away from the community.

"Yes, I'd probably make more money, but I'm not interested in being a chairperson. I'd rather be in the home community addressing local needs rather than traveling to Washington, D.C. If other people have the ability to do that, that is great. We do need them. I'm not looking for money or prestige."

Finally, Store pledged to work with the Navajo Nation president, not work against him (or, as might be possible this coming term, her).

"The majority of the council delegates work with the Nation president and vice president," Store said. "I feel that one of our current delegates works against the president, which essentially leaves Leupp out of the loop. As a chapter, we need the president's cooperation to address local issues. As a delegate, you are not doing the people any good if you intentionally work against the president.

"In our case, I feel that there is outright disrespect from our delegate from Leupp," Store concluded.

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