LADY COUGARS AND LADY MUSTANGS FACE OFF SPORTS, B1
Gallup Sun VOL 10 | ISSUE 493
www.gallupsun.com
September 6, 2024
Gallup prepares to 'Walk Like MADD'
EVENT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT DRUNK DRIVING DANGERS By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor
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a ndice Lightner started the nonp r of i t Mo t h e r s Against Drunk Driving a f ter her 13 -yea r- old daughter was killed by a man named Clarence William Busch in a drunk driving accident on May 3, 1980. Busch left the young girl’s body at the scene. The accident marked his fifth arrest for drunk driving. Almost 35 years later, MADD’s primary mission is to educate people on the dangers of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. It also helps those affected by the crime. Now, representatives from MADD are bringing their mission to Gallup by hosting a fundraising event on Sept. 14. “Walk Like MADD” gives people the chance to honor those lost by drunk driving crashes and bring awareness to the issue. The event will include a twomile walk, and 5K and 10K races. At press time, the event had raised over $11,500 of the non-profit’s $15,000 goal. BRINGING IT LOCAL In an interview with the Sun, Jennifer Bates ex pla i ned why she wanted to bring a “Walk Like MAAD” event to the Gallup community. “We just want to fight for what we believe in; we want to fight to keep our streets and our roadways
safe for families,” Bates said. “It’s just so frustrating reading in the paper about repeat offenders who are up to nine or 10 DWIs and they’re not in jail.” Bat e s i s a Cou r t Mon it or i ng P rojec t Specialist who works in the Gallup, Farmington, and Aztec court systems. As a court monitor, Bates sits in on DWI court hearings and tries to track down patterns. She follows cases from when a person is arraigned to when a case is adjudicated. It’s all about learning what’s truly going on in courtrooms during DWI hearings. Bates said part of the reason her job is so important is because oftentimes online court documents are vague. “A n y b o d y can go down and get the data from
According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving website, the non-profit has saved more than 370,000 lives, reduced drunk driving deaths by more than 50%, and served over 840,000 victims. Photo Credit: Courtesy of MAAD
Darlene and Dave Peshlakai lost their daughters Deshauna and Del Lynn after they were hit by a drunk driver while they were on their way back home from a basketball game in Santa Fe in March 2010. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Darlene Peshlakai the court, but a lot of the time it just says [a case is] ‘dismissed’ and you’re not sure why,” Bates
explained. She looks for certain trends in court, such as why cases are being
dismissed and which judges and attorneys have the most dismissed cases. Bates said many cases
in Gallup and McKinley County are dismissed because of a lack of prosecutors in the District Attorney’s Office. “The district attorney’s office has currently been having a horrible time keeping attorneys in their office,” Bates said. “There’s a crazy turnover [rate] in that office. Sometimes we’ll have attorneys come in and they’ll work a week and then leave.” Without representation on the prosecution side, a defendant’s case is often
dismissed, and they end up walking free of any charges. A nother less common reason a case gets dismissed is because a law enforcement officer doesn’t appear in court. Law enforcement officers must attend every court appearance for a case they’re involved in. Bates said most of the time, a Gallup Police officer or a McKinley County Sheriff’s deputy never misses a
See MAAD, Page A7
Gallup recognizes new Certified Economic Developer Staff Reports
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ruce D. Armstrong, E c o n o m i c Development Manager with Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation, has been awarded the nationa lly recognized designation of Certified E c o nom ic D e velo p er from the International Economic Development Council. The designation denotes a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to personal and professional growth. It marks a significant achievement and underscores Armstrong’s commitment to excellence in the field of economic development. He a t t r i bu t e s t he
achievement of this substantial career milestone to multiple people who helped him move forward in the economic development field. Chief among
said. “She knows where we’re headed and the best way to get there.” Armstrong views his role as providing support to the Executive Director,
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've always believed that while it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to raise a village,” Armstrong said. them is Patty Lundstrom, CEcD, Executive Director of Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation. “Patty is always at least a mile ahead of the rest of us, trailblazing a strategic path forward,” Armstrong
helping to translate her efforts and vision into tangible developments on the ground and into solid support for the industrial, economic-base employers that live in Gallup and McKinley County as well as those that plan to site
Economic Development Manager with Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation Bruce Armstrong their operations in the community. The CEcD designation is a prestigious acknowledgement of skilled and committed professionals in the field of economic development, establishing a benchmark of excellence
See GGEDC, Page A7
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