County officials attend Forest Lake Chapter meeting

<i>S.W. Benally/NHO</i><br>
A community member shares information about a solar energy project.

<i>S.W. Benally/NHO</i><br> A community member shares information about a solar energy project.

FOREST LAKE, Ariz. - Justice of the Peace Susie Nelson (Kayenta), Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon, Navajo County Sheriff Kelly "K.C." Clark and Deputy Roy Lawrence were welcomed by Forest Lake Chapter President Donald Chee and Vice President Alfred Charley Jr. to the February chapter meeting.

Nelson introduced herself to community members and explained some of the duties and services of her office, which include court hearings, marriage licenses and marriages and probationary services.

Clark, sheriff of Navajo County since 1989, apologized for his extended absence from chapter meetings. "Brad and I have been busy with work and elections, and we've been to Phoenix this morning and are back this evening," Clark said. "I can assure you, we've been working for you every day."

Clark described the joint effort of his office and the County Attorney's Office in educating communities about gun safety with children in the house, and the pair distributed gun locks to all in attendance.

Another program the duo has developed is designed to protect people from illegal pawn practices. "Brad and I have visited pawn shops across the county, and it was apparent to us that often the treasures of the Navajo Nation have been stolen," Clark said.

It is now law in Navajo County that all pawnbroker loans must come with a written contract and include the name, address and telephone number of the person pawning along with their birth date and physical description including height, weight and hair and eye color. The pawnbroker must also document the number and type of identification accepted, such as a driver's license or state identification card.

"The pawn shop must also take a photo of the person and of the item pawned," Clark said.

In a pamphlet they distributed, Carlyon and Clark both stressed that no one should sign anything that they do not understand completely.

"Don't sign anything with blank spaces," Carlyon advised. "A signed contract with blank spaces could be completed by anyone and will be legally binding on you. Cross through all blank spaces."

Clark added, "Don't rely on telephone conversations; all discussions ... should take place in person, and any agreement should be in writing. If you lose your pawn ticket, notify the pawn shop in writing immediately; anyone who finds your pawn ticket may be able to redeem it."

The chapter's regular business included the approval of funds to purchase lunch for the upcoming Range Unit Public Hearing on March 21 and for the next District IV Council meeting scheduled for March 8.

The chapter also passed numerous resolutions, including a request that the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation (NNDOT) include a portion of the BIA Snow Removal Plan into the Nation's plan; supporting and approving additional funds for stipends to chapter officials; that the NNDOT provide office space and resources for Council Delegate Dwight Witherspoon; and approval of the Veteran's Organization budget.

Four additional resolutions introduced by community member Marshall Johnson regarding a solar energy project were also approved.

Reports were given by Community Service Coordinator Ella Benally, Witherspoon and Johnson, who gave a report on activities at Pinon Unified School District, including topics of the Johnson O'Malley funding and the Raising a Balanced Child conference. He also explained the Second Cup of Coffee effort, where parents who bring their children into the schools on the first Wednesday of each month are served coffee and donuts.

Witherspoon updated the community on a solar energy project in Pinon. "Forty families at Black Mesa and Pinon will be receiving solar," he stated.

Witherspoon also described an effort to create a new judicial district that would serve communities like Black Mesa, Hard Rock, Pinon, Whippoorwill and Forest Lake, so that people in these areas will no longer have to travel to Kayenta, Chinle or Tuba City.

Witherspoon added, "I might not be able to make it to all of the chapter meetings in the chapters I represent," explaining that at the last council meeting, delegates were unable to approve the Navajo Nation budget. With the smaller number of delegates, absences for chapter business create a situation where there are not enough delegates to create a quorum.

"Our speaker is telling us that we need to be there, [but] we need 16 delegates to vote. We didn't have that number, so the budget was tabled," Witherspoon said. "I should be able to make the Forest Lake meetings as long as we aren't working late in Window Rock."

The next planning meeting will be held March 3 at 5 p.m.; the next chapter meeting is March 17 at 5 p.m.

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