Gallup Sun • November 20, 2020

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VOL 6 | ISSUE 295 | NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Need more jobs in McKinley County? Invent a — whatchamacallit By Mike Daly Guest Columnist refrain from an old Arlo Guthrie tune is “I don’t wa nt a pick le, I just want to ride my motorcy-

of aids to help existing businesses to improve and to encourage new business ideas that can flourish as going concerns. To get your entrepreneurial juices f lowing I’ve listed below several very successful ventures

PUTTING A GOOD EDUCATION TO USE An example of a person putting her education to use to solve a real world problem at home is the NMSU Civil Engineering graduate who realized she could design a

cle.” With the closing of the power plant at Prewitt and the shutdown at the refinery, what our county could use is a motorcycle manufacturing facility. The county and the state are laying out a number

started by individuals who in dealing with problems in their lives made transformative innovations – and made themselves lots of money. Remember, there are many paths to success. Here are some examples:

solar operated water pump for a well to serve a portion of her family ranch that needed water with no

A

WHATCHAMACALLIT | SEE PAGE 20

COVID cover-up in schools? Story Page 4

Stagecoach Elementary Would like to invite you to an

OPEN DATES: Nov. 30th – Dec. 13th, 2020 Orders can be placed 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week during the open dates.

LINK:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stagecoachelementaryschool2

Visit our website for upcoming events www.gmcs.org (505)721-1000 2

Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

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Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

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LOCAL NEWS

NEWS

GMCS superintendent under ďŹ re for COVID response ALLEGATIONS OF CASE COUNT COVER-UPS, IMPROPER CLEANING FROM PAGE 1 By Beth Blakeman Associate EditorÂ

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oncerns about the dangers of COVID-19 and Gallup McKinley County school classrooms have led to numerous allegations that the school district is hiding the number of COVID cases and school classrooms are not being properly cleaned. T ho s e concer n s wer e broadcast by an Albuquerque television station Nov. 17 using unnamed sources. One source who contacted the Gallup Sun and did not wish to be named, said GMCS Superintendent Michael Hyatt

is covering up the number of confirmed COVID cases in Gallup public schools.  WH AT DO THE NUMBERS SAY? The New Mexico Env iron ment Depa r tment Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist shows 222 positive employees in GMCS schools on Nov. 17. Hyatt says the numbers are “completely inaccurate.â€? “On that day out of our approximately 1900 employees, there were two new employee cases at GMCS.â€? â€œWe’re in damage control for something that’s not true,â€? Hyatt said. In a follow-up response to the Sun Nov. 19, Hyatt said, “GMCS is working with the

State of New Mexico to correct their error that caused the false report. GMCS is reviewing all NMDOH confi rmed cases and compiling all cases in GMCS this school year and will report the accurate daily case rates results before Thanksgiving break.â€? Judy Robinson, former deputy director of communications with the governor’s office, and just this week named the deputy director of communications at the Public Education Department, told the Sun, Nov. 19 that she is aware of some kind of issue with the data. â€œWe don’t think it’s accurate. We’re trying to sort that out right now,â€? she said. But it’s not just the potential of data issues. Robinson said

there’s something else happening in relation to the Gallup numbers. â€œWe are aware of a separate protocol and reporting issue in Gallup,â€? she said, “and we’re working to follow up with our own and our sister agency [the Environment Department].â€? IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS One concerned citizen who did not wish to be identified by name, told the Sun Nov. 17 that there is a gag order on principals, and that teachers and staff members who fi le complaints face retaliation. This person went on to say classrooms are not being cleaned or disinfected — instead, the rooms are closed for three days and then the

Gallup McKinley County Schools Superintendent Michael Hyatt children and a substitute teacher are allowed back into the room. They added that there is no contact tracking and tracing going on in the GMCS District. T h e S u n s p oke w i t h

WORD OF MOUTH | SEE PAGE 13

School board receives ďŹ rst quarter student assessment results By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

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he quality of educ a t io n a s t ude nt receives has come u nder scr utiny a s the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. The New Mexico Public Education Department has

stated they are aiming to re-engage students who have fallen off in their studies for any reason. In addition to providing an education for students, the state also has to make sure that education is sticking with their students. A quality education was the focus of a presentation

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given to the Gallup-McKinley Cou nt y Schools Boa rd of Education during their Nov. 16 meeting. A shley Rya n, director of curriculum and a s s e s s m e n t fo r G a l l u p McK inley County Schools spoke to the board about first quarter student assessment trend data. Students were evaluated in two categories: English Language Arts and mathematics. The data from Q1 2019 was compared to the Q1 2020 data. Rya n sa id i n t he f i r st quarter of 2020, six district schools increased in EL A proficiency from last year, while 26 schools decreased in proficiency. In mathematics, 20 schools increased in proficiency from

Q1 2019 to Q1 2020 while 12 school s decrea s ed i n proficiency. “What the data show us is the proficiency trends go up and down every year,� Ryan said. “These trends are in line with what we have seen in the past.� She also noted more students received higher scores on the assessment than in previous years, which may indicate those students are receiving help at home with their assignments. Ryan then spoke about the number of students who completed their assessment in either ELA or math from Q1 2019 to Q2 2020. The percentage of students who completed the a ssessments from grades

Ashley Ryan, director of curriculum and assessment for Gallup-McKinley County Schools. Photo Credit: Courtesy GMCS two through 11 decreased from 2019. On average, anywhere from 78 to 98 percent of students completed their assessment in 2019, while that number has dropped to

SCHOOL BOARD | SEE PAGE 13

WHAT’S INSIDE ‌

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OPERATION NAVAJO GOLD Law enforcement targets hemp farms

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RESETTING N.M. Non-essential businesses close amid virus surge

Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

10 14 19 PFIZER PILOT N.M. chosen for vaccine delivery program

HEINRICH LETTER Senator condemns IHS for decreasing essential services

ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETE Grants football player to step on national stage NEWS

City council approves hazard pay amid virus surge By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

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he n ew s u r ge i n COVID-19 cases has led to many states i mpo si ng st r ic t er closures and measures aimed to keep people home and safe. But this surge also means essential employees face a higher risk of being exposed to the virus.

Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher/Editor Babette Herrmann Accounts Representative Sherry Kauzlarich Associate Editor Beth Blakeman Photography Knifewing Segura Ana Hudgeons Ryan Hudgeons Cable Hoover Correspondent/Editorial Asst. Cody Begaye Dominic Aragon Circulation Manager Mandy Marks On the Cover Products created by entrepreneurial contest winners who turned their ideas into businesses. Photos Courtesy The Gallup Sun, published Fridays, is not responsible or liable for any claims or offerings, nor responsible for availability of products advertised. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Gallup Sun distributes newspapers in McKinley, Cibola and Apache counties. Office: 102 S. Second St., Gallup, NM 87301 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM. Mailing Address: PO Box 1212 Gallup, NM 87305 www.gallupsun.com Phone: (505) 722-8994 Fax: (505) 212-0391 gallupsun@gmail.com Letter to the editor/guest column ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY. State full name and city/town. No pen names. ID required. All submissions subjected to editor’s approval. Guest columnists, email Sun for submission requirements.

NEWS

To that end, the Gallup City Council held a special meeting Nov. 13 to discuss using $918,000 in CARES Act funds to provide hazard pay for essential city employees. City Ma nager Ma r ya nn Ustick said the CARES funds were mea nt to reimburse the city for COVID-related expenses such as PPE and plastic barriers, and it frees up budgeted city funds to help the city weather the financial strains created by the pandemic. While McKinley County received $16 million in CARES funds, the city received just under $1 million. The county allotted $2.5 million of CARES funds to provide hazard pay to their employees during this new surge. There were two tiers created to designate the pay levels, with the fi rst tier being

THANK YOU ADVERTISERS AJ Tires & Auto Center - 11 Amazing Grace Personal Care - 15 Bubany Insurance Agency - 13 Butler’s Office City - 19 City of Gallup - 16 The Door - 8 First Baptist Church - 10 505 Burger and Wings - 17 Gallup Housing Authority - 24 Gallup McKinley County Schools - 2 Genaro’s Cafe - 17 Grandpa’s Grill - 17 Keller Williams Realty - 1 Maria’s Restaurant - 17 Montrose Air Quality - 6 New Mexico Credit Corp - 13 New Mexico Finance Authority - 7 NMHU - 21 NRC - 3 Octavia Fellin Public Library - 14 Peace NM Cannabis - 14 Pinnacle Bank - 19 Railway Cafe - 17 Rollie Mortuary - 9 Route 66 Diner - 17 SASNWNM - 16 SWDC - 4 Thunderbird Supply Co. - 5 Valley Fence - 15 Virgie’s Restaurant & Lounge - 17

Gallup City Manager Maryann Ustick for fi rst responders and the second tier being the rest of the cou nt y employees, which Ustick said the city is emulating. “Our city staff has extreme risk of exposure to the virus, and the city provides more services than the county does, such as solid waste, electrical services, water and wastewater, and library and park services,” Ustick said. “We have a myriad of ways our employees

can be exposed.” While Ustick said the city was going to wait to see how its finances looked before deciding how to a llot the CARES funds, the new surge of COVID cases spurred the city to opt to use the funds for hazard pay now. The hazard pay will continue until either the governor terminates the public health order or the CARES funds run out.

Chief Financial Officer Patricia Holland said starting with the pay periods in December through March, t ier one employe e s w i l l receive $570 as a fl at supplement per pay period, while tier two employees get $285 per period. “It’s not as much as we could have been able to do, but we just didn’t receive the same reimbursement funding the county did,” Holland said. Dist. 4 Councilor F ra n Palochak said she hopes the city employees appreciate the extra pay while also realizing the city is doing everything it can with what it has for them. “We do value you. We do appreciate a ll you do for us. We k now you’ve been exposed. We want to do something. We’re doing the best we can, and we hope that’s enough to keep you with the city and stay and take care of the city in the wonderful way you do,” Palochak said. The motion to prov ide hazard pay for city employees starting in December was approved with a 4-0 vote.

Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

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NOTICE OF AIR QUALITY PERMIT APPLICATION Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) announces its intent to apply to the New Mexico Environment Department for a technical permit revision per 20.2.219.B.(1)(a) NMAC. The facility presently operates under minor source Air Quality Permit 0285-M4R2, for its facility identified as the Prewitt Escalante Generating Station (PEGS). The expected date of the application submittal is November 23, 2020. This notice is a requirement of the New Mexico air quality regulations. The exact location of PEGS is at latitude 35 deg, 24 min, 57.4 sec west and longitude 108 deg, 4 min, 57.6 sec north. The approximate location is 4 miles north of Prewitt, NM on the west side of County Road 19 in McKinley County. PEGS was a single unit coal-fired electric generating station owned and operated by Tri-State. With this technical revision permit application, Tri-State is requesting a monitoring language change for the Auxiliary Boiler (Unit E80) in Permit Condition A108.B. The language request would change the monitoring requirement from “hourly, 12-month rolling total” to “hourly, calendar year total”. This change will not reduce the enforceability of the permit as determined by the department. The estimated maximum quantities of any regulated air contaminants after the modification will be: Present Facility Emissions Pollutant:

Pounds per hour

Tons per year

PM 10

54 pph

35 tpy

PM 2.5

20 pph

12 tpy

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

0.3 pph

0.5 tpy

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

32 pph

50 tpy

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

28 pph

67 tpy

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

3 pph

4 tpy

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

0.2 pph

0.2 tpy

State Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs)

<0.1 pph

<0.1 tpy

Green House Gas Emissions as Total CO2e

n/a

87,907 tpy

The hours of operation will remain permitted for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 8760 hours per year. The owner and/or operator of the Facility is: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association P.O. Box 33695 Denver CO 80233-0695 If you have any comments about the construction or operation of this facility, and you want your comments to be made as part of the permit review process, you must submit your comments in writing to this address: Permit Programs Manager; New Mexico Environment Department; Air Quality Bureau; 525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 1; Santa Fe, New Mexico; 87505-1816; (505) 476-4300; 1 800 224-7009; https://www.env.nm.gov/aqb/permit/aqb_draft_permits.html. Other comments and questions may be submitted verbally. With your comments, please refer to the company name and facility name, or send a copy of this notice along with your comments. This information is necessary since the Department may have not yet received the permit application. Please include a legible return mailing address. Once the Department has completed its preliminary review of the application and its air quality impacts, the Department’s notice will be published in the legal section of a newspaper circulated near the facility location. Attención Este es un aviso de la Agencia de Calidad de Aire del Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México, acerca de las emisiones producidas por un establecimiento en esta área. Si usted desea información en español, por favor de comunicarse con la oficina de Calidad de Aire al teléfono 505-476-5557. Notice of Non-Discrimination NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you have any questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non- discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact: Kristine Pintado, Non-Discrimination Coordinator, New Mexico Environment Department, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502, (505) 827-2855, nd.coordinator@state.nm.us. If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our website at https://www.env.nm.gov/NMED/EJ/index.html to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

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Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

INDIAN COUNTRY

NEWS

Navajo Department of Health identiďŹ es 55 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 Staff Reports

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I N D O W ROCK, A r iz. — The Nava jo Depa r tment of Health, in coordination with the Nava jo Epidem iolog y Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 146 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths on Nov. 17. The total number of deaths is now 605 as of Nov. 17. Reports indicate that 8,011 individuals have recovered from COVID19, a nd 141,166 COV ID -19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 13,744, including two delayed unreported cases. Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit: • Chinle Service Unit: 3,002 • Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,494 • Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,385 • Gallup Service Unit: 2,171 Alamo Baca/Prewitt Bodaway/Gap Bird Springs* Bread Springs Cameron Casamero Lake* Chichiltah Chilchinbeto* Chinle Churchrock Counselor* Coyote Canyon* Crownpoint Dilkon* Forest Lake* Fort Defiance* Gadiiahi* Ganado* Hogback* Houck* Indian Wells* Iyanbito* Kaibeto* Kayenta Leupp* Lupton*

• Kayenta Ser vice Unit: 1,523 • Shiprock Service Unit: 2,018 • Tuba City Service Unit: 1,443 • Winslow Service Unit: 699 * Nine residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit. The Navajo Nation’s threeweek stay-at-home lockdown remains in effect 24-hours a day, seven days a week with the exception of essential workers, cases of emergencies, and to purchase essential items such as food and medication when essential businesses are open from 7 am- 3 pm daily On Nov. 17, the state of New Mexico reported 2,112 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 2,984 new cases, and Utah reported 3,178 cases. The Navajo Department of Health has identified the following 55 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19

Fort Defiance* Gadiiahi* Ganado* Hogback* Houck* Indian Wells* Iyanbito* Kaibeto* Kayenta Leupp* Lupton* Many Farms* Mariano Lake Nahatadziil* Nahodishgish Naschitti Pinedale Pinon Pueblo Pintado* Rock Point Rock Springs Round Rock Sanostee* Sheepsprings Shiprock Smith Lake St. Michaels*

Teec Nos Pos* Thoreau Tohajiilee Tohatchi Tolani Lake Tonalea Torreon Tsayatoh Tselani Cottonwood* Tuba City Twin Lakes* Upper Fruitland* Whippoorwill* White Cone*

from Oct. 30 to Nov. 12: “This invisible monster known as COVID-19 is devastating our country and the Navajo Nation. We cannot be complacent and careless about where we go, who we interact with, and the everyday choices we make. We love our Navajo people and we want everyone to be safe and healthy, but there are far too many people that continue to travel, to hold gatherings, and put themselves at unnecessary risk of catching the virus. We also want to thank the majority of our people who are staying home and adhering to the public health orders. We all have to remember that anyone can get COVID-19, but not everyone shows symptoms and that makes this virus very dangerous and potentially deadly. Everyone should be staying home 24/7 unless you

This map represents Navajo Nation communities experiencing uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. Photo Credit: OPVP

are an essential employee and required to report to work, or if you have an emergency, or to get essential items like groceries or medication. Stay home, wear a mask if you must go into public, do not attend or hold in-person gatherings, practice social distancing,

and wash your hands often,� Nav a jo Nat ion P re sident Jonathan Nez said. To encourage residents t o s t ay loc a l du r i ng t he

NAVAJO NATION SPREAD | SEE PAGE 22

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SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY LOAN FUND &UHDWHG E\ WKH 6WDWH RI 1HZ 0H[LFR WKH 6PDOO %XVLQHVV 5HFRYHU\ /RDQ )XQG R໤HUV ¿QDQFLDO DVVLVWDQFH WKDW FDQ KHOS PHHW LPPHGLDWH H[SHQVHV RU SURYLGH D FXVKLRQ during uncertain times.

Loans of up to $75,000 Âż[HG LQWHUHVW UDWH 1R FROODWHUDO RU SHUVRQDO JXDUDQWHHV ,QWHUHVW RQO\ SD\PHQWV XQWLO \HDU WKUHH

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* represent chapters added in the new 14-day period. INDIAN COUNTRY

Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

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Joint law enforcement agencies conduct marijuana eradication OPERATION TAKES DOWN GROW HOUSES NEAR SHIPROCK Staff Reports

The marijuana was housed in 1,107 grow houses, and HIPROCK, NAVA JO dozens more were under conNATION—The Navajo struction when the eradicaPol ice Depa r t ment tion effort took place. assisted federal and Du r i ng the cou r t-ausupporting law enforcement thorized operation, agents entities from Nov. 9-11 in con- eradicated approx imately ducting “Operation Navajo 260,000 live plants and proGold,” a unified effort to exe- cessed an estimated 60,000 cute search warrants relating pounds (30 tons) of evidence. to suspected illegal marijuana Additionally, agents found 19 farming near Shiprock, N.M. trash bags filled with fully This action was the result processed marijuana - 1,000 of months of coordination pounds - in baggies, ready for between the Navajo Nation distribution, hidden under a and local, state, and federal tarp in a grow house. agencies to en force bot h “The top priority is the Navajo and federal laws. sa fet y a nd wel l-bei ng of T went y- one fa r ms a nd our Navajo citizens and law two residences fi rst came to enforcement officers,” Navajo the attention of the Navajo Nation President Jonathan Police Department and Navajo Nez said. Nation Department of Justice “The coordinated efforts after community members a nd t i rele s s work of a l l raised concerns about rap- i nvolved ha s broug ht the idly growing “hemp” farming much-needed resolution to operations. the ma r ijua na operations

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a nd ha s given the Nava jo Nation citizens, as well as the surrounding communities, peace of mind,” Chief of Police Phillip Francisco of the Navajo Police Department stated. “This operation is a testament to the professionalism of law enforcement, who have worked diligently to ensure the safety of our communities.” “ Th roug h the cooperative efforts of federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners, we have put a stop to a massive marijuana grow operation, which was being carried out under the guise of hemp farming,” Kyle W. Williamson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division said. “The persons running this marijuana operation were doing so in disregard of tribal law, the health and well-being of

Marijuana grow houses near Shiprock, N.M. Photo Credit: FBI tribal members, and the natural resources of the Navajo Nation. We thank commun it y member s for say i ng something when they saw something.” “ L a r g e - s c a l e g r ow i n g operations, such as this one, can pose a serious risk to human health and the environment,” Special Agent in Charge Christopher Brooks of the Env ironmenta l Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division in New Mexico said. “This case had many jurisdictional hurdles. Thanks to the longsta nding pa r tnerships between federal, state and local law enforcement, we came together to stop a significant criminal enterpr ise i n ou r com mu n it y,” San Juan County Sheriff R. Shane Ferrari said. “San Juan County is truly blessed to have these dedicated professionals to keep our communities safe.”

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Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Federal agencies involved in the effort included: the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Ad m i n i s t r a t ion, t he U. S. Ma rsha ls Ser v ice, the Env ironmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigations Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs En forcement ’s Homela nd S e c u r i t y I n v e s t i g a t io n s , a nd the Bureau of India n A ffa irs. Tr iba l, state a nd local agencies included the Navajo Police Department, the Navajo Depar tment of Criminal Investigations, the New Mexico State Police, t he R e g ion I I Na r c ot ic s Task Force, the New Mexico A rmy National Guard, the San Juan County Sheriff ’s Office, the Farmington Police Department, the Aztec Police Depar tment, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and t he Ten nessee Bu reau of Investigation. INDIAN COUNTRY

NEWS

STATE & REGION

New Mexico hits the reset button NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES CLOSE IN-PERSON SERVICES FOR TWO WEEKS By Dominic Aragon For the Sun

S

ANTA FE — During her Nov. 13 press conference, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham laid out a plan to close certain businesses for two weeks starting Nov. 16. The governor said businesses deemed “non-essential,” and nonprofits, are required to cease in-person services until Nov. 30. Non-essential businesses include barbershops, salons, and gyms. Food and drink establishments have been instructed to halt on-site dining, but can offer curbside and delivery services. Houses of worship can operate at either 25 percent of the maximum occupancy or 75 people at any time, whichever number is smaller. Lujan Grisham said New Mexicans are instructed to shelter in place and only leave home for trips pertaining to health, safety and welfare. “New Mexico has crushed this virus twice, and we’ll do it again,” she said. OUTLOOK After Nov. 30, the state will have a three-tier countyby-county system to establish reopening benchmarks for individual counties. “We feel very confident about this aspect of having the whole state, county-by-county working cohesively to continue to blunt the spread of the virus,” the governor said. • Level 1 (green) would be a county with low positivity rates and low daily case counts. • Level 2 (yellow) would be a county that has borderline positivity rates and average daily case counts that would require public health restrictions. • Level 3 (red) would mean a county has widespread illness and infection, restricting in-person activity. “This permits counties the flexibility to engage more directly in both problem solving and rewarding by showing they have found strategies to mitigate risk,” Lujan Grisham STATE & REGION

File Photo said. NO CH A NGES TO SCHOOLS In a Nov. 16 news conference, New Mexico Public Education Depar tment Secretary Dr. Ryan Stewart said the next two weeks are critical in getting case numbers lower and having the option of having the hybrid model available to public school districts. As of Nov. 16, the PED said over 1,000 students and 1,100 staff members have reported positive COVID-19 cases. “Let’s be very clear, if we don’t start to trend in the right direction, if we don’t start to get these case numbers down, get our positivity rates down, then we will be in a situation where we’ll have no choice but to move all schools into remote learning,” Stewart said. Additionally, the PED said around 12,000 of the 330,000 students enrolled are not accounted for on public school rosters. At this time, only kindergarten through sixth grade students are allowed to return to the classroom in-person via hybrid models. Stewart did not give a timetable as to when grades 7-12 can return in a hybrid model. “Unfortunately, with this latest surge we’ve seen, it really has put on pause, our ability to engage in those kinds of conversations about middle school and high school. Much of the timing around that will be dictated by how well we do in the

File Photo next two weeks and beyond, in terms of getting back on the right trajectory,” Stewart told the Gallup Sun. BY THE NUMBERS • The state has seen over 60,000 COVID-19 cases as of Nov. 12. • The state reported 1,753

cases on Nov. 12, which is the highest number of cases in a 24-hour period in New Mexico. • Additionally, the state reported 182 COVID-19 deaths in the last two weeks, bringing the total to 1,176 deaths. • Locally, McKinley County and neighboring Cibola County

have reported over 5,100 and 900 total cases respectively. RESET RESTRICTIONS TIGHTENED NOV. 18 The governor is clarifying the intent of her emergency

RESET | SEE PAGE 20

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9

NM part of PďŹ zer’s pilot program for COVID-19 vaccine By Matthew Reichbach NM Political Report

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hile widespread distr ibution is still months away, pha r maceutical giant Pfizer announced that New Mexico would be one of four states to participate in a pilot delivery program for the distribution of its COVID19 vaccine, though this does not mean the state will receive doses of the vaccine before other areas.

Pfizer announced earlier this month that a preliminary analysis found that the vaccine was over 90 percent effective in preventing illness. New Mexico—along with Rhode Isla nd, Texa s a nd Tennessee—will take part in the pilot program, which will not include any early distribution of the vaccine. “The four states included in this pilot program will not receive vaccine doses earlier than other states by virtue of this pilot, nor will they

receive any differential consideration,â€? Pfi zer said in its announcement. T he pi lot pr og r a m i s designed to “help us prepare for broader vaccine deployment in the near future, subject to authorization or approval, as we work to address this urgent public health need,â€? according to Pfi zer Biopharmaceuticals Pfizer Pio Group President Angela Hwang. “We are hopeful that results from this vaccine delivery pilot will serve as the model for other U.S. states

An injection being prepared. Stock Photo and international governments, as they prepare to implement effective COVID-19 vaccine programs.�

PFIZER PILOT PROGRAM | SEE PAGE 22

DVS Secretary-Designate Smith TestiďŹ es Before the Legislative Finance Committee SEEKS TO SECURE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO IMPROVE AGENCY’S MISSION Staff Reports

S

A N TA F E — New Mexico Depar tment of Veterans Services Secreta r y Sonya L .

Smith who was appointed to the position in October, testified before the New Mexico L eg i sl a t u r e’s L eg i sl a t ive F i na nce Com m it tee Nov. 16, seeking approval of the

agency’s proposed $4.9 million budget for fi scal year 2022. Secretary-Designate Smith testified that the amount is needed to carry out the vision for the agency’s mandate of

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Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

assisting the state’s approximately 154,000 veterans and their families. “Our veterans deserve our agency’s very best efforts— especially after dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,â€? Secretary-Designate Smith testified . “Now more than ever, we are determined to continue reaching out to our veterans and help them get benefits and services which could really make a positive impact in their lives.â€? To do so, she testified, will require adequate funding. Among the important immediate goals are: • Ensuring veterans know that DVS is still open for business, and our Veterans Service Officers are ready to assist them with claims and benefits information. Veterans or their eligible dependents can contact the agency’s VSOs from the comfort of their homes via phone or email for their claims or benefits needs. • DVS will continue its advocacy by partnering with state, federal, and local agencies and organizations to increase the scope of services for veterans and their families. There are

many agencies, in addition to the VA, that offer assistance which could greatly help veterans. DVS will work to bring these agencies into partnerships, and make sure veterans know about these important services. • DVS plans to enhance its messaging platform to improve outreach to veterans. With the COVID-19 pandemic spreading, the agency will schedule more virtual outreaches similar to its successful Veterans Day outreach—which saw veterans from throughout the state contact DVS VSO’s via the Zoom application to get immediate benefits help. “Veterans Day has reinforced in my mind that we need to do all we can for our veterans and their families, especially during this COVID19 pandemic,â€? Smith said, “Every day should be treated as Veterans Day—and I want DVS to reflect this moving forward.â€? As with all state agencies, the DVS budget faces approval during the 2021 Legislature scheduled to convene on Jan. 19. Smith also faces confi rmation during the 60-day session, which is scheduled to adjourn March 20.

Check out our FREE access community website! www.gallupsun.com STATE & REGION

Changes in leadership in governor’s office Staff Reports

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ANTA FE — The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan G r i s h a m o n N o v. 12 a n nou nc e d he r new chief of staff would be Matthew L. Garcia, as John Bingaman will step down to pursue other opportunities. Bingaman served in the role since the outset of the administration, Garcia previously served a s the gover nor’s genera l counsel, leading the administration’s legal representation and strategy. Prior to that, he worked as one of the state’s top civil rights attorneys; earned his law degree from the University of New Mexico as well as a master’s degree from Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Mass.

East entrance, Roundhouse, Santa Fe. Photo Credit: Wikipedia He also completed a Fulbright Fellowship at the Helsinki School of Economics. Bingaman recently took a temporary leave of absence

from the administration to advise the transition team of President-elect Joe Biden on the governor’s behalf in the fi nal weeks of the campaign,

during which time Garcia served as acting chief of staff. Prior to his appointment as chief of staff, Bingaman was an investment professional and managed private investment partnerships in Santa Fe. He earned a degree in economics from Harvard College. The governor named Holly Agajanian, an attorney most recently with the fi rm Hinkle Shanor LLP, as general counsel of her office. Agajanian has extensive trial and courtroom experience representing public entities, cor porations and individuals in a wide range of matters. Having earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California a t L o s A n gele s a nd her law degree from American University, Agajanian holds

Holly Agajanian, named general counsel to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Photo Credit: More Law

an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest peer rating for professional excellence in attorneys.

Campaign against high cost of medicine in New Mexico Staff Reports

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L BUQU ERQU E — Citing new data that big drug companies have taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to raise prices on hundreds of medications, AARP New Mexico, Health Action New Mex ico a nd a s t at ew ide coalition of health experts, patient advocates and consumers launched New Mexico

have to choose between their medication and other necessities, like rent and groceries.” According to the data fi rm, Analysource, pharmaceutical companies have taken advantage of the pandemic to raise prices almost six percent on 645 brands in the first eight months of 2020. On average, Americans pay four times as much for the same medicines as people in other countries.

before COVID-19, Americans were paying the highest drug prices in the world. It is unconscionable that prices may have

increased even more during the pandemic. “New Mexico needs an independent body that can evaluate

HIGH COST OF DRUGS | SEE PAGE 18

Prescription drugs. Photo Credit: AARP Consumers for Affordable Prescriptions Nov. 17, calling on legislators to ensure all New Mexicans have access to affordable medications. “New Mexicans continue to struggle to afford the prescription drugs they need,” Barbara Webber, Executive Director of Health Action New Mexico, said. “Drug costs were out of control before COVID, but it is even worse now. No one should STATE & REGION

The Journal of the American Medical Association reports 35 big drug companies raked in $8.6 trillion in profits between 2000 and 2018. Nine of the top ten companies spend more money on marketing and advertising than they do on researching new drugs. “Enough is enough,” Joseph P. Sanchez, AARP New Mexico State Director, said. “Even Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

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NEWS

HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World

By Steve Newman

Week ending Friday, November 13, 2020 COVID-Susceptible Canadian researchers warn that wha les a nd other ma r ine mammals could become i n fe c t e d w it h COV I D 19 through inadequately treated sewage effluents. While no such cases have been reported, scientists at Dalhousie University say their genomic mapping determined that almost all whale, dolphin and porpoise species have the same or higher susceptibility to the coronavirus as humans. “Many of these species are threatened or critically endangered,” said Dalhousie’s Graham Dellaire. “In the past, these animals have been infected by related coron av i r u se s t h a t h ave caused both mild disease as well as life-threatening liver and lung damage.”

Earthquakes A rare tremor in southern Massachusetts was felt widely across New England and caused some structural damage. • Earth movements were also felt in Jamaica, North Macedonia, western India’s Gujarat state, south-central Alaska, southeastern Utah and West Texas.

‘River’ Damage Strengthening rivers of relatively warm and moist air

try to establish a colony at the De Hoop nature reserve. 5.0 3.8

3.6

‘Zombie’ Batteries

5.0

3.0 ta Eta

3.6

T Theta

4.2

Vamco

+115° Matam, Senegal

blow i ng sout hwa rd f rom t he middle latitudes are melting huge patches of sea ice around Antarctica, new research reveals. Diana Francis at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi and her colleagues found that these atmospheric rivers are now making the storms that rage around Antarctica more powerful by fueling them with more water vapor. The storms help churn up nutrients for marine life. But when amplified by the atmospheric rivers, they accelerate climate change by breaking up the sea ice and opening up large patches of darker ocean water. These openings, known as polynyas, reflect less solar energy back into space than the white ice, allowing the water to heat up.

Central America, Hurricane Eta swamped Cuba then made landfall in Florida twice as a tropical storm, causing local floods. • Tropical Storm Theta made 2020 a record year for the number of named storms in the Atlantic Basin. • Typhoon Vamco killed at least 11 on Luzon Island as the 21st named storm to hit the Philippines this year. • Tropica l Stor m Etau formed briefly over the South China Sea.

New Colony S c ie nt i s t s i n South Africa are trying to save from

ex t i nc t ion t he only penguin that breeds in Africa by establishing -60° a new colony at Vostok, a protected site Antarctica about 140 miles southeast of Cape Town. More than 1 million pairs of what was once South Africa’s most abundant seabird thrived back in the 1920s. But people began harvesting their eggs for human consumption, helping to cause the populations to plunge to around 13,000 breeding pairs last year. Dwindling fi sh stocks and climate change have also contributed to the decline. About 50 hand-raised juvenile birds, abandoned by their parents, will be released each year to

Tropical Cyclones After leaving a p pr ox i m a t e l y 200 people dead from floods and mudslides in

Young abandoned penguins will populate a new colony. Photo Credit: CapeNature

The per vasive dumping of discarded batteries from personal electronics and other devices is causing hundreds of fires a year at recycling and waste sites in the United Kingdom, officials say. The E nv i r o n me nt a l S e r v ic e s Association warns that battery types such as lithium-ion a nd n ickel-met a l hyd r ide can explode or ignite when damaged, and are known to spark fires in nearby material if not disposed of properly. “Batteries in household waste and recycling can lead to large-scale and protracted fi res. These incidents are often very challenging for fi re services,” said Mark Andrews of Britain’s National Fire Chiefs Council.

Java Eruption Hundreds of villagers around Indonesia’s Mount Merapi fled their homes as the volcano spewed lava and ash during a weeklong increase in activity. A major eruption in 2010 killed more than 300 people and forced nearly 400,000 others to evacuate. Dist. by: Andrews McMeel Syndication ©MMXX Earth Environment Service

Center for Biological Diversity suing to stop leopard trophy imports Staff Reports

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eopards are at risk of extinction from habitat loss, lack of prey, persecution by huma ns, poaching for the illega l fur trade, and unsustainable trophy hunting. The United States is a major

12

driver of the leopard trophy trade. On average we import nearly 300 leopard trophies per year — over half the trade. The Center for Biological Diversity and allies fi led a lawsuit to save these animals. The suit challenges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s approval of le opa rd t rophy i mpor t s f rom Z i mba bwe, Ta n z a n i a , Mozambique and Zambia into the U. S.

Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

“Federal officials are dishing out leopard import permits right and left without knowing how trophy hunting harms this highly imperiled species,” Tanya Sanerib, the Center’s international legal director, said . “We’re going to ensure that the United States fulfi lls its obligation to guarantee that leopard imports don’t threaten the survival of the species.”

Leopard from Endangered Earth No. 1,062, Nov. 12. Photo Credit: Mihael Hercog HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

WORD OF MOUTH | FROM PAGE 4 Hyatt about these claims. He answered each, in turn. “All of the allegations are false,� Hyatt began. On the subject of cleaning classrooms, Hyatt stressed, “We have actually been cleaning above and beyond what the guidelines are, and have put hundreds of thousands of dollars toward supplies and equipment to ensure that buildings are sanitized properly, and have been very transparent about that effort. Our custodians are doing a tremendous job.� A parent who has three

SCHOOL BOARD | FROM PAGE 4 between 63 and 77 percent in 2020. For math, the percentage in completed assessments dropped from 72 to 98 percent

children studying remotely at GMCS schools, told the Sun Nov. 19 that she was concerned about the lack of ventilation in classrooms and that she believed each school was being left to figure out its response to COVID-19 individually. Hy a t t r e s ponde d t h a t GMCS posted all the information about how to respond to COVID-19 on the district website. He said it follows all state and health guidelines.  “The claim that there is spread happening in all of our schools is false,� Hyatt said. “There is only one case at that [Indian Hills] school.� Hyatt emphasized that not one person has provided an

official complaint. No one has been disciplined, and no one has ever been fired because they expressed a concern. â€œWe welcome people’s concerns to fi nd out if they’re true and address them if they are.â€? Hyatt said there is no gag order. No one is being retaliated against. “I think that what’s happened is parents and teachers want to know who in the school has had it [COVID], he said.â€? He pointed out that after the governor reasserted lockdown protocols, it created fear and anxiety about the virus. “Some people’s reaction to that is to place blame on others, like the school district,â€? he

said. “I think schools are some of the safest places in our community. The spread is typically happening at home.  “We can’t let everybody know who is COVID-positive,� Hyatt explained. “We have (a) tracking and tracing for every case of COVID.� The superintendent also responded to a claim that GMCS has a private investigator talking to anyone believed to be speaking to the media about COVID cases and how they are handled in GMCS schools.  He said the investigator who was mentioned was someone hired to look into what has been happening at Indian Hills.

A concer n sha red w ith the Sun that school nurses who had been given the job of keeping track of COVID ca ses, had t hat responsibility taken away and reassigned, was also answered by Hyatt, who said, the change came about because someone doing that job had to quarantine. At that time, the responsibilities were shifted to someone else. Hyatt added that, as of Nov. 18, GMCS has already heard from one of the people who spoke about students being infected. He said she now says she was wrong and made her comments based on rumors she heard.

in 2019, down to 57 to 82 percent in 2020. “This drop in completed assessments could signify internet issues for the student s bec au se t he se a re online assessments,� Ryan

said. Students are going to have to take the standardized summative assessments online. We always do these online to allow them space to practice. Ryan did say this data is from one interim assessment, so these results are not a defi nitive view of the students’ proficiency.

Dist . 3 Boa rd Member Pr iscilla Ma nuelito a sked what is being done to help st udent s i n school s t h at saw a decrea se i n prof iciency to rebound from that assessment. “W hat we do w it h t he dow nwa rd trends is help those schools work to identify where students need specific

help and support,� Ryan said. “Once the teachers and principals dig into the data, they work to help their students improve through techniques like inter vention or small group support.� T here a re nu merous opt ion s to help st udent s increase their proficiency, she added.

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NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

13

OPINIONS

New Mexico senator condemns decision to cut essential services at Acoma-Cañoncito-Laguna Hospital ADDRESSES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE IN LETTER By Martin Heinrich Senator, D-N.M.

U

.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., ha s sent a letter to India n Hea lth Service Director Rear Admiral Michael D. Wea hkee condemning a recent decision to decrease essential services at the Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna

(ACL) Hospital. The Pueblo of Acoma has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases. Over a matter of weeks, cases on the Pueblo went from zero in September to 100 in early November. With the recent suspension of emergency services and inpatient care at ACL, the community must now drive one hour or longer to hospitals in Grants or Albuquerque that are

already reaching capacity. ACL’s benefit to the Pueblo of Acoma and the surrounding community cannot be underscored. As the only hospital between Grants and Albuquerque on Interstate-40, ACL serves as a lifeline for the health and safety of this community, which is only amplified during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I

continue to acknowledge and support the Pueblo of Laguna’s right to contract their own health services; however, providing uninterrupted and full capacity hospital services at ACL should remain a top priority for IHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, the COVID19 pa ndem ic ha s d ispro portionally affected tribal

Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.

ACL HOSPITAL | SEE PAGE 17

Udall signs onto letter SUPPORTS RENAMING CERTAIN MILITARY BASES By Tom Udall Senator, D-N.M.

D

ear Chairman Inhofe, Cha ir m a n Sm it h, R a n k i ng Member Reed, and Ranking

Member Thornberry: We write to request that the conference report of the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) include a provision to require the Department

of Defen se ( DoD, or t he Department) rename all property and other assets owned by the Department named in honor of Confederate officers. As you know, both the Senate and House versions of

the FY21 NDAA contain provisions requiring the Secretary of Defense to rename all military property, including the ten Army installations, named in honor of Confederate offi cers. Section 2829 of the House bill requires the renaming process to be complete within one year, while Section 377 of the Senate bill authorizes a three-year period for completing renaming. Both provisions mandate that the Secretary establish a formal process for cataloging all assets to be renamed and for determining new names. The Senate a nd House strongly suppor ted the inclusion of this requirement by passing their bills with over whelming, veto proof, bipa r t isa n ma jor ities. The requirement also received bipartisan support in

Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M. committee markups. Despite the widespread support for t h i s propo s a l, Ch a i r m a n Inhofe has declared his intention to strip it out behind closed doors in conference, saying “We’re going to see to it that provision doesn’t survive the bill… I’m not going to say how at this point.” We strongly oppose removing this provision and respectfully request the conferees

TOM UDALL | SEE PAGE 17

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OPINIONS

COMMUNITY

‘The Real Right Stuff’ is an interesting highlight reel of Project Mercury By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 89 MINUTES The following feature will be available for streaming Nov. 20 on Disney+. Many kids dream of becoming astronauts and flying into the stars and even adults are wowed by images of the Earth from outer space. Only last year, the documentary Apollo 11 impressed audiences and critics with its use of newly discovered, high-quality footage chronicling man’s first trip to the moon. The Real Right Stuff from Disney and National Geographic goes back even earlier in time, showing the beginning of U.S. space exploration during the 1950s and 1960s. The footage on display here isn’t quite as awe-inspiring, but this movie is interesting and does shed some light on the early participants in the program. If anything, it’s a highlight reel of Project Mercury and the fi rst seven American astronauts. The events are constructed using interview footage and audio with author Tom Wolfe (who wrote The Right

Stuff, which is considered an authoritative book on the subject). He describes the Space Race in detail, giving factoids about the contest between the U.S. and Russia to send a man into orbit. The filmmakers cut together remarkable newsreel and television footage and use rare photographs to define the experiences of these men in training, as well as their early missions. Coming on the heels of another film that features newly restored footage of astronauts traveling to the moon, some of these early trips into the upper atmosphere can’t impress in quite the same way. Thankfully, the movie instead spends some time with those involved in the program itself, even detailing the rivalries that formed within the group of cocky pilots. As viewers see footage of the first press conference involving the astronauts, the movie asserts that John Glenn made the biggest impression on interviewers, who enjoyed his sense of humor and “countrified sophistication� while speaking in public. While few would think anything of such a short meeting, the event does begin to incite minor fractures and rivalries within the competitive group. Other interesting revelations that the documentary briefly addresses, include the wives

Pictures of the seven astronauts suited up, portraying the U.S.’ ďŹ rst astronauts – the Project Mercury team in the documentary “The Real Right Stu â€? which is partially based on the Tom Wolfe book, The Right Stu. Photo Credit: Disney+ and families of the astronauts signing contracts with Life Magazine. They were essentially on call for comments about their husbands and the footage shows the stress of having the press present during mission launches. Another enlightening disclosure this documentary deals with is the attention that these new astronauts received from women and

their different ways of handling being a celebrities. Overall, this space story is most intriguing when dealing with the personal lives of the astronauts. While there could have been even more detailed admissions, the Wolfe audio does add fascinating points about the unexpected troubles these men encountered. Naturally, the film also

presents individual missions involving specific individuals and the trials of getting themselves safely home. Viewers witness some of the dangers encountered, although the excitement will be negated for older viewers, who already know how most of these trips concluded. The movie does seem to rush through many of its story points and doesn’t really stay on any specific subject for too long. Even the last couple of Mercury Missions only receive a quickly put-together montage. So, while the fi nal product isn’t as striking or memorable as the recent Apollo 11 fi lm or even the 1983 biopic The Right Stuff (not to mention another new drama series on the subject that is also debuting on Disney+ this week), there is still some interesting footage and a few quick asides that do provide greater insight into the space program. Those who remember these missions or anyone who might be a young space enthusiast will certainly learn a few interesting things about these remarkable men and their attempts to break new frontiers in space. V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

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Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

15

‘Fatman’ is a bizarre holiday feature By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 100 MINUTES This fi lm became available on demand and on digital platforms Nov. 17. The 1988 film Scrooged is a popular modern adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, featuring Bill Murray as a nasty TV executive. Early on in the feature, there’s a trailer for an action movie called The Night the Reindeer Died, featuring Santa Claus and actor Lee Majors toting machine guns in order to fend off psychos invading the North Pole. It’s a hilarious comedic bit and one that may have in part inspired the new movie Fatman, which possesses a similarly outrageous plotline. The stor y begins with Saint Nicholas aka Chris (Mel Gibson) still living in the North Pole with wife Ruth (Marianne

Jean-Baptiste) and continuing to make sure that all good children receive toys for the holidays. However, the once jolly icon has become grizzled and bitter as his naughty list continues to grow with each passing year. In fact, it is revealed that his operation is now running at a deficit, forcing Chris to take on extra work for the U.S. government. Things get even worse for the holiday hero when young Billy Wenan (Chance Hurstfield) decides to take extreme actions after receiving a lump of coal under his tree. Irate at the slight, the sociopathic child hires an assassin called the Skinny Man (Walton Goggins) to go to the North Pole, find Chris and execute him. Considering the general silliness of the concept and the fact that this is a low-budget genre picture, it’s remarkable how great a cast the moviemakers have managed to rope in. They certainly do their best to make the most of the material and all of the performers bring an unexpected somberness to the proceedings. Gibson takes his

Santa role with complete earnestness, behaving in a sad and dispirited manner, carrying the weight of a world that seemingly has left kindness behind. Jean-Baptiste does all she can to perk his spirits up, but also feels the pressure and financial strain mounting. Goggins has the most fun as the Skinny Man. He also has personal issues with Chris in relation to his own childhood. Most of the story involves him interrogating sources as he makes his way closer and closer to his target. While some of his threatening interactions are entertaining, the quietest moments are often the funniest. There’s a great series of shots depicting the stone-faced killer silently and unemotionally driving his car north as joyous Christmas carols play on the radio. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that result in the biggest laughs. While the cast is doing its darndest to suspend disbelief, the straight-laced approach to the material does cause a few tonal issues. While the actors should be commended for

CITY OF GALLUP SOLID WASTE CUSTOMERS There will be no refuse collection on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Both Thursday and Friday routes will be collected on Friday, the following day. If you have any questions, please call the Solid Waste Department at: 863-1212.

Saint Nicholas aka Chris (Mel Gibson) doing hand-grip exercises for his right hand while working out how all good children will get their toys for the holidays in “Fatman.” Photo Credit: Saban Capital Group taking on their parts as if they were performing Shakespeare, a lighter touch with the material would have ultimately benefitted this production. There is a heaviness in tone that makes it all seem like a slog at times. An extra joke or wink at the audience here or there would most certainly have added zip to the proceedings. This is also a story in which Chris and his enemies are separated for the majority of the running time. One wishes that there had been more personal interaction and confl ict between them. Instead, they only really come to blows in the fi nal act. While the money may not have been available to deliver more action, there could have been some fun interplay between the two memorable leads had they been forced together earlier (perhaps even

at the midway point). Extending and exploring their personal conflict and attempts to outwit each other on the battlefield would have perked things up considerably. This is clearly a small fi lm that at times doesn’t feel like it’s making the most of its over-the-top conceit. Yet this reviewer will give it some props for creating charismatic and distinctive characters. On the whole, Fatman doesn’t completely work and would have benefitted from exaggerated moments like those in the 1988 fake trailer noted at the beginning of the review. Still, at least it’s an eccentric and unique effort that might provide the odd chuckle to those looking for holiday entertainment with a significantly darker edge. V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

16

Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

COMMUNITY

ACL HOSPITAL | FROM PAGE 14 communities, in part due to a lack of environmental and public health infrastructure. IHS’ actions with ACL only compound this. In 2019, ACL served 90,000 patients. IHS’ actions will now leave many of these patients without the care they need, in the midst of a deadly and vicious pandemic. IHS’ lack of appropriate consultations with the Pueblo and the sudden reduction of services is unprincipled and unnecessarily puts lives in tribal communities at risk. I respectfully request that you reverse the decision to suspend emergency services and inpatient care at ACL and I implore you to reexamine alternate funding avenues for sustaining vital healthcare services, including the emergency funding that Congress has allocated to IHS for COVID-19 response. THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER Dear Rear Admiral Weahkee, I write today [Nov. 18] to condemn the Indian Health Service’s decision to decrease essentia l ser v ices at t he Acoma - Ca noncito -L ag u na Hospital. ACL’s benefit to the

TOM UDALL | FROM PAGE 14 to retain in the conference report the provision endorsed by both chambers: a requirement for the Department to rename all military assets named for the Confederacy no later than three years after the date of enactment. Millions of service members of color have lived on, trained at, and deployed from installations named to honor traitors that killed Americans in defense of chattel slavery. Renaming these bases does not disrespect our military – it honors the sacrifices and contributions of our service members in a way that better reflects our nation’s diversity and values. We know who these bases were named for and why they were named. It is long past the time to correct this longstanding, historic injustice. We must not shrink from our solemn duty in this moment. Signed by Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M. and 37 U.S. senators NEWS

Pueblo of Acoma and the surrounding community cannot be underscored. As the only hospital between Grants and Albuquerque on Interstate-40, ACL serves as a lifeline for the health and safety of this community, which is only amplified during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I continue to acknowledge and support the Pueblo of Laguna’s right to contract their own health services; however, providing uninterrupted and full capacity hospital ser vices at ACL should remain a top

priority for IHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. T he P ueblo of Acom a has seen a spike in COVID19 cases. Over a matter of weeks, cases on the Pueblo went from zero in September to 100 in early November. With the recent suspension of emergency services and inpatient care at ACL, the community must now drive one hour or longer to hospitals in Grants or Albuquerque that are already reaching capacity. In response to the abrupt halt in services at ACL in the

face of surging virus infections, the Governor of Acoma has had to implement a state of emergency. As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected tribal communities, in part due to a lack of environmental and public health infrastructure. IHS’ actions with ACL only compound this. In 2019, ACL served 90,000 patients. IHS’ actions will now leave many of these patients without the care they need, in the midst of a deadly and vicious pandemic.

IHS’ lack of appropriate consultations with the Pueblo and the sudden reduction of services is unprincipled and unnecessarily puts lives in tribal communities at risk. I respectfully request that you reverse the decision to suspend emergency services and inpatient care at ACL and I implore you to reexamine alternate funding avenues for sustaining vital healthcare services, including the emergency funding that Congress has allocated to IHS for COVID-19 response.

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17

Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for November 20, 2020 By Glenn Kay For the Sun

W

elcome back to another look at highlights arrivi ng on Blu-ray and DVD. Once again, it’s a jam-packed edition with tons of films in just about every genre to choose from. So, since you likely can’t or shouldn’t be going out to the movies, be sure to give one of these titles a try! BIG NEW RELEASES! 2067 : In this science-fiction fl ick, a utility worke r l i s tening to his radio receives a myster iou s s i g n a l . He is told that in order to change the course of history and save the world from a massive environmental disaster, he must leave his ailing wife behind and travel into the future. The reluctant protagonist must venture into the unknown and see if he can make a difference. This Australian feature wasn’t very well-received by the press. A small group admired what was accomplished on a limited budget and thought it had some interesting ideas and elements. However, the majority complained that despite the noble efforts of the cast, the script itself was clunky and the story was presented in a confusing manner. It stars Kodi SmitMcPhee, Ryan Kwanten, Sana’a Shaik and Deborah Mailman AGGIE: Art collector and philanthropist Agnes ‘Aggie’ Gund is the subject of this documentary. The fi lmmaker, who happens to be the daughter of the woman being chronicled, details what inspired

HIGH COST OF DRUGS | FROM PAGE 11 drug costs and set reasonable rates for consumers to pay. With the establishment of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, New Mexicans will have an advocate to ensure they are not being price gouged by drug companies,” he added.

18

her mot her to use her ex per ience as a dealer in the art world t o pr omot e social justice causes. This includes convincing the owners of one of the most valuable artworks in the world to donate sales proceeds to a charity devoted to reforming the American criminal justice system. Critics liked the feature, although they weren’t overwhelmed by it. Many wrote that it was a sweet ode to the tireless efforts of an admirable women. Still, several also complained that there wasn’t much drama or tension on display and that it felt like the filmmaker was too close to and in awe of her subject. THE BROKEN HEARTS G A L L E RY: Still hurting a f t er b ei n g d u m p e d by her boyfriend, a 20 - some t h i ng New York art gallery assistant comes up with a novel idea to help her move on. She decides to curate a museum pop-up space to display trinkets and mementoes from her dissolved relationship. Word of mouth grows and soon the lead fi nds new friends who also want to participate in the project. Reaction toward this romantic comedy was generally upbeat. A minor contingent thought the story was bland and that the movie would only appeal to those in the same demographic as the lead character. Still, the consensus was that this was an enjoyable little film with charming performances. It features Geraldine Viswanathan, Dacre Montgomery, Utkarsh

The coalition launched a website at newmexicocap. org to educate and activate New Mexicans on state policy options to reduce drug costs. A Prescription Drug Affordability Board would regulate prescription drugs with costs that greatly impact New Mexicans, including high-cost, brand name medications. High costs can prevent patients from

Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

A mbudkar, Molly Gordon, Sheila McCa r thy a nd Bernadette Peters. CICA DA SONG: T h is independent fea t u re follows a determined woman in small town America who s et s out t o sea rch for her Latina lover a nd a migrant child who have both disappeared. Naturally, over the course of her quest, the protagonist learns a dark secret about the town and is left for dead in the wilderness. The woman must endure the natural elements and make her way back to civilization. This little thriller played at several festivals over the past year and won a few awards. There aren’t a great many reviews available yet, but a few have popped up online. They have been positive, stating that the indie film is well-made, chilling and has some important points to make about bigotry. The cast includes Lyndsey Lantz, Jenny Mesa, Kim Reed and Joseph Bottoms. GHOSTS OF THE RÉPUBLIQUE: Those looking for more non-f iction v i e w i n g choices can also pick up this feature which is making its debut on disc. There currently isn’t a lot of information available about the film, so here’s the press synopsis paragraph about it. The movie follows Aurelien and Nicolas, who, when confronted

accessing the prescription drugs they need, cause significant affordability issues for the state, and threaten public health. The Board would consider a broad range of economic factors when setting appropriate payment rates for reviewed drugs, allowing pharmaceutical manufacturers the opportunity to justify existing drug

by France’s conservative surrogacy laws, decide to exhaust their last option by traveling to Las Vegas to start a family of their own through surrogacy. This film demonstrates the extreme lengths many gay couples go to to have children, highlighting the ever-expanding and controversial surrogacy industry. Those interested in this documentary can now pick it up on disc through various outlets or fi nd it via streaming services. WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES: This foreign-language d ra ma from Japan follows four orphans who cross paths while at the funerals of each of their parents. The kids form a bond as they try to process their loss and end up forming a band. They become media sensations and their music attracts the attention of both fans and critics. The foursome attempts to figure out how to deal with all the attention while forging ahead with their new life. This picture earned high marks from the press. A small percentage did complain that the fi lmmakers forced a lot of jarring animation and computer graphics into the movie, which they found irritating. Still, most called the picture a fresh, energetic and unique attempt to depict young people coping with loss. The cast includes Keita Ninomiya, Mondo Okumura , Satoshi Mizuno and Sena Nakajima.

is releasing a Signature Edition of the John Wayne western, Rio Grande (1950), in which the actor plays the leader of a cavalry unit. The disc features a new high-definition digital restoration of the film, a film expert commentary, several recently crafted featurettes on elements of the production, as well as a making-of with critic Leonard Maltin and publicity materials. If you’re a fan of old westerns, this package will likely impress. Additionally, Cinema Guild is delivering the indie drama Beeswax (2009) on Blu-ray. Flicker Alley is presenting a Blu-ray of the expressionistic German horror-comedy, Waxworks (1924). This title from Paul Leni (The Man Who Laughs) has received a 2K restoration, a film expert commentary, a featurette describing the search for this original cut of the movie, in-depth interviews about the features and some short fi lms by the fi lmmaker that played before the flick itself when it ran in cinemas. YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS! Here are some releases that may appeal to youngsters. T h e Cr ood s (2013) 4K - Universal Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution

BL ASTS FROM THE PAST! It’s an equally busy week for older films receiving spiffy Blu-ray upgrades. Oliver Films

ON THE TUBE! And TV-show enthusiasts can read about all the latest titles below. C hr i stm a s R ec ipe fo r Romance (Harlequin TV-movie) Franklin & Bash: The Complete Series MacShayne: Winner Takes All / Final Roll of the Dice Mission: Impossible: The Original TV Series (1966-1973) – 7 seasons The Nest Westworld: Season 3 V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

costs. Once a fair payment rate is determined, the Board sets an upper payment limit that applies to all purchasers and payor reimbursements in New Mexico, ensuring that lower costs benefit consumers. Staffi ng the Board would be funded by a fee on pharmaceutical manufacturers. “Prescription drug companies are the only businesses

in the health care industry whose rates are not regulated. It’s time to hold them to the same standard as all other health care providers. Creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board is a commonsense solution to hold big drug companies accountable and drive down the cost of prescription drugs,” Webber said. COMMUNITY

SPORTS

Grants athlete selected to play in national football game HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STANDOUT TO PLAY IN ALL-AMERICA CLASSIC By Dominic Aragon Sun Correspondent

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RANTS — A Grants high school football player will have the oppor tunit y to showcase his talents in a game exclusive to high school seniors. St udent - at h let e Br ya n Hernandez, a senior at Grants High School, has been invited to play in the Spiral A llAmerica Classic Bowl game in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 4. The game, now in its third year, will have scouts from Division I football programs on-hand to see the talent from the student-athletes. Overall, 110 players are invited to take part in the game. Hernandez, who found out he was approved on Nov. 10 , is the fi rst New Mexican to be invited to play in the game’s three-year history. “The fi rst thing I did was

go and tell my mother, especially since she has always been by my side, she’s always cheered for me — one of my biggest fans,” Hernandez told the Gallup Sun. Her na ndez said one of the recruiters saw one of his social media posts and told the 17-year-old to apply for the game. He registered and found out a couple weeks later that he had been accepted. Her na ndez plays w ide receiver, strong safety and special teams for the Pirates. “Sleeping on New Mexico is a big thing, and hopefully I can prove that when I go,” Hernandez said about underestimating the talent from Grants. Grants High Pirate football coach Rio Thompson has coached Hernandez since 2017 and calls the 5’8”, 137 lb. senior, one of the best kids he’s had the opportunity to be around. “I’m not talking just about

being a football player, I’m talking about young men. He does the right thing on-andoff the field, and no matter what he chooses to do in life, he will succeed, I can guarantee that,” Thompson told the Gallup Sun. “I believe he could play at the college level, all the way from Division I to wherever he wants to play,” Thompson added. When he hits the gridiron in Florida, Hernandez hopes to learn new skills and make new connections. Hernandez will have to account for registration fees, airline tickets, his hotel room and food as part of his January trip. In order to make it happen, Hernandez has been selling World’s Finest Chocolate Bars to help raise the necessary funds. Her n a ndez’s pa r t - t i me employer, Diamond G (True

Bryan Hernandez works with former NFL wide receiver Preston Dennard at a football camp in Albuquerque in September. Photo Credit: Dominic Aragon

Value store in Grants), has been helping the student-athlete sell the chocolates. “I’d like to thank my mom, my dad, my nana and tata, my coaches — especially my coaches — and my brother,” Hernandez said. “They’ve done everything

Nez, Lizer recognize bull rider Keyshawn Whitehorse FINISHED SEVENTH IN WORLD RANKINGS Staff Reports

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umerous sports seasons were upended during the COVID19 pa ndemic, but Professional Bull Riding man-

hails from the Navajo Nation: Keyshaw n W h itehorse. Growing up in southern Utah, Whitehorse and his cousins would run around the land from dawn to dusk, and he

began bucking calves by the time he was eight. W hitehorse a nd his father lea r ned about bull riding together by watching PBR events on TV and later

practicing on a makeshift barrel behind their home.

they can, and I wouldn’t be here without them.” The ga me w ill be live streamed at allamericaclassic. com/tv. If you’d like to help Bryan and his efforts, he can be reached on Twitter at @showtime020319.

He is recognized by his fans for embracing his Native culture, which is shown best by his ride preparation that includes

WHITEHORSE | SEE PAGE 22

Keyshawn Whitehorse Photo Credit: Professional Bull Riding, OPVP aged to see its season through, capping off with the PBR World Finals in Arlington, Tex. from Nov. 12-15. One of those f i na lists SPORTS

Service is your way of life, and our way of doing business. GALLUP 107 E. Aztec Ave., 505.722.4411 Walmart: 1650 W. Maloney Ave., 505.863.3442 1804 E. Aztec Ave., 505.722.0300

Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

19

WHATCHAMACALLIT | FROM PAGE 1 other power source nearby. It worked so well that she and her father started a business manufacturing and installing these. S H I P P I N G CONTAINERS For those of us living in Gallup, shipping containers hauled by the BNSF and trucks are a common sight. What we might not know is that these containers which have revolution ized worldw ide shipping were developed by high-school graduate Malcolm McLean. After high school in 1935 Malcolm, together with his brother, bought a used truck and founded McLean Trucking Co. in Red Springs, N.C. In order to improve his own trucking business, he came up with these containers which have revolutionized world trade. The idea came to him when he had to wait in his truck while longshoremen laboriously moved cargo one piece at a time out of the truck in front of his. A BETTER FIT FOR MY SHOES Maureen Stockton’s shoes hurt her feet. She started a bu si ne s s m a k i n g sho e stretchers to make them fi t better when she couldn’t fi nd a product on the market that worked for her. She purchased a pair of shoe trees and they destroyed her shoes because the mechanism did not allow her to adjust the pressure. So she invented a new product specifically for women’s footwear. That was eight years ago. She launched her fi rm in 2018 and took in $1 million in sales last year with her shoe shapers retailing for $48.95. SOAP IN THE SHOWER Si x t y-yea r- old Ji m my Gould who had back trouble, also had trouble retrieving a bar of soap that dropped on the shower floor. He created a

RESET | FROM PAGE 9 public health order. The changes restrict “big box” stores and other large retailers from operating in-person services. These changes began Nov. 19. Many of them follow: Essential retailers include: grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, farmers’ markets and vendors who sell food,

device that hooks to the soap and keeps it from slipping. His business, SoapStandle, was launched in 2016. He made his fi rst sales the next year amounting to $500. That fi gure quickly rose to $112,000 last year, at a price of $4.99. A FIREPLACE ANYWHERE Elena Colombo wanted a fi re on the beach in front of her cottage in Greenport, N.Y., but fi res were frowned upon by the town. She improvised a gas-fueled “comfort fi re” from a garbage can and a gas-grill propane tank. Thinking others might want the same thing she started Fire Features to sell “fi re-bowls,” a more elegant version of the original. Her gross revenue for 2002 was about $20,000. By 2019 she was bringing in $1.5 million selling fi re pits ranging in price from $5,000 to $400,000. UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC. Garett Camp, a Canadian software engineer, was standing on a San Francisco street waiting for a cab. He was fed up with haphazard taxi service. As he looked at the iPhone in his hand, he realized that it could be the alternative to trying to hail a cab. Uber and its competitors are now common worldwide — A total transportation transformation for many. And Uber and companies like it are working to develop self-driving cars to further automate this driving option. KEEP THE SPRAY OUT OF YOUR FACE Jim DeCasper, distribution

forema n for the Bradford City Water Authority [Penn.], developed Cra ck P ipe to def lect water when crews are working over a live water line leak. A worker holds the dev ice and it def lects the water away from the crew, while they prepare a repair clamp for installation. SAVE YOUR FEET FOR DANCING Steve Bel l doe s ma i ntenance at an air port. His team’s work requires them to lift a lot of aircraft rated drain/valve, manhole chamber covers and grates. To make his team’s life easier, he developed a new product Hitch Lifter, a Class 3 hitchmounted winch attached to a magnet that allows lifting grates up to 600 pounds. He has now expanded and has developed another version with greater lifting power. Still with me? Do I have your attention? Businesses generally do best when the start-up has experience in the particular business planned and in how to run a business. There a re a number of resources available to help those who need help in either area. First and foremost is Gallup MainStreet, which is opening a Business Support Center at 231-A Coal Ave. this month. For the time being Covid restrictions will limit on site usage. The Center is intended to provide: ∙ Boots on the ground oneon-one consultation ∙ Basic business development ideas ∙ Pay roll system setup assistance ∙ Facebook interfacing ∙ Advertising and marketing strategies ∙ Start-up and co-working space opportunities This resource is for small existing business owners who don’t have a business education background and for those who want to expand

their businesses. There are mentorship opportunities so you can consult with existing successful business owners, and get help with accounting and advertising. Will you need help getting your ideas translated into products for sale? Need help selling — developing a successful “pitch?” These resources a re designed to help you obtain the confidence in yourself and your products. Gallup MainStreet is hosting a two-day virtual workshop Entrepreneur Bootcamp Dec. 1 and 3. T o r e g i s t e r, c o n t a c t MainStreet’s director, Kara Smith either by email director@gallupmainstreet.org or call (505) 879-0333. A second power fu l resource is available through UNM. They have created the NM Ra inforest University Center. This program provides entrepreneurial training and technical assistance at UNM and branch campuses via in person or web access. They also have a certificate program in Entrepreneurial Capabilities through their Innovation Academy. If you want to test the waters, enter their website: htt p:// lobora in forest.com / n m ra i n forest / to a cces s seminar and webinar video recordings on entrepreneurial topics. The fi rst few are business idea generation, pathways to success — small business ownership and taxes and business startups and how to start and fi le an LLC. Well, you get the idea . These are on-topic and practical training sessions. Once you have gone this far, try these two options offered at Rainforest: Create. Sell. Bank! This is an online course which can be taken on your own time. No set meeting times. Topics include, Need funding,

Problem definition, Ideation/ brainstorming, Rapid prototyping, Testing and how to set up accounts for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube a nd PayPa l, a s wel l a s a rather complete overview of E-Commerce and how to create a 90-second pitch video to Pitch Your Business. Total cost is $17. Go to the Rainforest University Center website to register. Monthly on-line seminars are free and open to UNM, as well as the greater New Mexico community in person or online. Participants who view seven or more seminars/ webinars either livestream or via their YouTube channel and complete associated quizzes, can receive a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Capabilities. What are you waiting for? The best place to start is where you are with what you have! If, on the other hand, you wou ld l ike a rea dy-ma de business, there a re ma ny franchise opportunities. The GGEDC and City of Gallup recently completed a Market A n a ly si s St udy t h at pi npoints business opportunities that the study’s authors determined are a good match for Gallup.

convenience stores, and other businesses that generate more than one-third of their revenue from the sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food, animal feed or supplies, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other consumable food and drink products; They also include automobile repair facilities, bike repair facilities, and retailers who generate the majority of their

revenue from the sale of automobile or bike repair products; hardware stores; laundromats and dry cleaner services. These essential businesses may continue to operate but must reduce operations and staff. They may have no more than 75 customers inside or exceed 25 percent of maximum occupancy at any time, whichever is smaller; and must close by 10 pm each night. Under t h i s a mended

defi nition, “big box” stores and other large retailers that do not generate more than one-third of their revenue from the above identified food and drink products may not operate in-person services. In other words a “big box” or large retail space such as Hobby Lobby and Ross Dress for Less is not permitted to operate in-person services under the above identified stipulations.

• Businesses that are not identified as “essential” may operate to the minimum extent necessary to provide curbside pickup and/or delivery of goods to customers. • Animal grooming services may not operate. • Pl a nt nu r s er ie s a nd Christmas tree lots “may operate to the minimum extent necessary to provide curbside pickup and/or delivery services to customers.”

Mike Daly

20 Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

This needs the following caption: Jimmy DeCasper and his grandson after he was recognized for developing Crack Pipe, which deflects water from crews working over a live water line leak. Photo Credit: Opflow Magazine

NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS GALLUP SUN ARCHIVES Need a past issue? $2.00 per copy. Note issue date and send check or M.O. to: Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM 87305. Subject to availability. LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF MCKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO In the Matter of the Estate of CHARLES PERRY COOK, III, Deceased. No. D-1113PB-2020-00036 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TOMMY MIMS has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of CHARLES PERRY COOK, III, deceased. All persons having claims against this estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented either to the Personal Representative at the offices of Mason & Isaacson, P.A., 104 East Aztec Avenue, Gallup, New Mexico, 87301, attorneys for the Personal Representative, or filed with the District Court of McKinley County, New Mexico. Date: 11/04/2020

.

By: James J. Mason Attorneys for Personal Representative 104 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-4463 PUBLISH: Gallup Sun November 13, 2020 November 20, 2020 November 27, 2020 *** NOTICE OF AIR QUALITY PERMIT APPLICATION Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) announces its intent to apply to the New Mexico Environment Department for a technical permit revision per 20.2.219.B.(1)(a) NMAC. The facility presently operates under minor source Air CLASSIFIEDS

Quality Permit 0285-M4R2, for its facility identified as the Prewitt Escalante Generating Station (PEGS). The expected date of the application submittal is November 23, 2020. This notice is a requirement of the New Mexico air quality regulations. The exact location of PEGS is at latitude 35 deg, 24 min, 57.4 sec west and longitude 108 deg, 4 min, 57.6 sec north. The approximate location is 4 miles north of Prewitt, NM on the west side of County Road 19 in McKinley County. PEGS was a single unit coalfired electric generating station owned and operated by Tri-State. With this technical revision permit application, Tri-State is requesting a monitoring language change for the Auxiliary Boiler (Unit E80) in Permit Condition A108.B. The language request would change the monitoring requirement from “hourly, 12-month rolling total” to “hourly, calendar year total”. This change will not reduce the enforceability of the permit as determined by the department. The estimated maximum quantities of any regulated air contaminants after the modification will be:

The owner and/or operator of the Facility is: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association P.O. Box 33695 Denver CO 80233-0695

establecimiento en esta área. Si usted desea información en español, por favor de comunicarse con la oficina de Calidad de Aire al teléfono 505-476-5557.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

If you have any comments about the construction or operation of this facility, and you want your comments to be made as part of the permit review process, you must submit your comments in writing to this address: Permit Programs Manager; New Mexico Environment Department; Air Quality Bureau; 525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 1; Santa Fe, New Mexico; 87505-1816; (505) 476-4300; 1 800 224-7009; https://www.env.nm.gov/aqb/ permit/aqb_draft_permits. html. Other comments and questions may be submitted verbally.

Notice of NonDiscrimination

Public notice is hereby given that the City of Gallup, New Mexico, will receive sealed bids for the following:

With your comments, please refer to the company name and facility name, or send a copy of this notice along with your comments. This information is necessary since the Department may have not yet received the permit application. Please include a legible return mailing address. Once the Department has completed its preliminary review of the application and its air quality impacts, the Department’s notice will be published in the legal section of a newspaper circulated near the facility location. Attención Present Facility Emissions Pounds per hour

Tons per year

PM 10

54 pph

35 tpy

PM 2.5

20 pph

12 tpy

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

0.3 pph

0.5 tpy

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

32 pph

50 tpy

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

28 pph

67 tpy

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

3 pph

4 tpy

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

0.2 pph

0.2 tpy

State Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs)

<0.1 pph

<0.1 tpy

Green House Gas Emissions as Total CO2e

n/a

87,907 tpy

Pollutant:

The hours of operation will remain permitted for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 8760 hours per year.

Este es un aviso de la Agencia de Calidad de Aire del Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México, acerca de las emisiones producidas por un

NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning nondiscrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you have any questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non- discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact: Kristine Pintado, Non-Discrimination Coordinator, New Mexico Environment Department, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502, (505) 8272855, nd.coordinator@state. nm.us. If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the NonDiscrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our website at https://www.env. nm.gov/NMED/EJ/index.html to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination. Publish: Gallup sun November 20, 2020 ***

CITY OF GALLUP, NEW MEXICO FORMAL BID NO. 2035

RENTAL OF VACTOR TRUCK City of Gallup-Wastewater Department As more particularly set out in the Bid documents, copies of which may be obtained from the City of Gallup Purchasing Division, 110 W. Aztec Ave., Gallup, New Mexico 87301; or contact Frances Rodriguez, Purchasing Director at (505) 863-1334. Copies are available for viewing or can be downloaded from: https://app. negometrix.com/buyer/3226 Electronically submitted bids for such will be received at the Office of the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. (LOCAL TIME) on December 9, 2020 when bids will be opened and read aloud in the City Hall Purchasing Conference Room via virtual conference/video calls or through other virtual means. The City of Gallup has transitioned to a new e-Bid/ RFx software powered by Negrometrix. All solicitations will be released electronically through Negometrix and responses from bidders must be submitted electronically through this online platform. By using Negometrix, prospective bidders will be provided with all information regarding a bid including addendums and changes to the project requirements. Negometrix is a completely free service for all respondents. Prior

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 22

We believe in ideas. We believe in passion. We believe in dreams. We believe in you.

www.nmhu.edu Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

21

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 21 to submitting a proposal, respondents are required to set up their free account with Negometrix. Register your company at Negometrix.com. Only ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTED BIDS will now be accepted; system will not accept bids submitted after due date and time. Dated this 17th day of November, 2020 By: /S/ Louie Bonaguidi, Mayor Classified Legal Column: Gallup Sun Publishing Date: Friday, November 20, 2020 *** ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS NOTICE TO BIDDERS Public notice is hereby given that the Gallup-McKinley

PFIZER PILOT PROGRAM | FROM PAGE 10 The state Department of Health did not respond to questions about what the pilot program would entail. The state’s preliminary COVID-19 vaccination plan does address the need for ultra-cold storage, and acknowledged that it will be difficult for small and rural providers. The plan also expressed concern about the ability to

WHITEHORSE | FROM PAGE 19 a prayer that blends Navajo tradition and Christianity. He anoints his body with burnt cedar and asks for protection and for communion with the bull he is riding, and that the two become partners. A fter the event ended,

NAVAJO NATION SPREAD | FROM PAGE 7 t h r e e -we ek s t ay- a t - home lockdown, gas stations, grocery stores, laundromats, and restaurants and food establishments will remain open

County Schools, Gallup New Mexico, desires to purchase the following: UV-C Disinfection Robots Fixed Price Agreement ITB-2021-19KC NIGP Commodity Code(s): 46548 As more particularly set out in the BID documents, copies of which may be obtained by downloading from the GallupMcKinley County Schools Bonfire eBidding website: https://gmcs.bonfirehub.com/ portal/

online meeting software. Dated the 19th Day of November, 2020 By: /S/Charles Long, President Board of Education Gallup-McKinley County School District No. 1 BID ISSUE DATE: November 19, 2020 Publish: Gallup Sun November 20, 2020 *** LEGAL NOTICE

Sealed bids for such will be received at the Procurement Office until 2:00 PM (MDT, LOCAL TIME) on December 1, 2020. FAX and HARDCOPY PROPOSALS will NOT be accepted. Offerors will not be able to upload proposals or documents after the specified CLOSING date and time. Public Bid Opening shall be conducted through

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a meeting of the governing body of the City of Gallup, New Mexico will take place on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Gallup City Hall, Second Street and Aztec Avenue; Gallup, New Mexico, to consider final approval of the following entitled Ordinance:

procure supplies like dry ice to keep the temperatures cold and how to monitor temperatures once containers are provided to the state. A ma jor issue with the d i s t r i bu t io n i s over t he requirements for storing the vaccine. Pfi zer’s vaccine must be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius, or minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit. CBS News outlined some logistical challenges that

An ordinance relating to collective bargaining for the city of gallup, new mexico, providing for: The continued existence of the city of gallup labor management relations board; the authority, responsibilities, and conditions of continued existence of the board; the transfer of authority upon termination of the board; the rights and obligations of the city and labor organizations; and providing for an effective date. The purpose and subject matter of the Ordinance is contained in the title. A draft copy of the Ordinance is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall. CITY OF GALLUP, NEW MEXICO By: /s/ Alfred Abeita II, City Clerk PUBLISH: Friday, November 20, 2020 Gallup Sun

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the regular meeting of the Gallup City Council scheduled for Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. has been canceled. The next regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Public viewing of the meeting will be accessible on the City of Gallup’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook. com/CityOfGallup/. Copies of the agenda will be available at the City Clerk’s Office at Gallup City Hall and will be posted on the City of Gallup’s website at www.GallupNM.gov at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. CITY OF GALLUP, NEW MEXICO By: /s/ Alfred Abeita II, City Clerk

***

Publish: Gallup Sun November 20, 2020

the company would need to address. The storage provided by Pfizer not only would need to be kept at extremely cold temperatures, they could only be opened twice a day for less than three minutes to keep the vaccine samples viable. And ultra-cold freezers that could keep the samples viable for up to six months are expensive and increasingly difficult to find. The vaccine also requires two separate doses, three

weeks apart. Pfizer said it has been working with the federal government both through Operation Warp Speed, which the Trump administration announced to speed the process of developing a vaccine for COVID-19, and the CDC for approval of the vaccine. Pfizer aims to have 300 million doses of a vaccine ready in 2021, the first 100 million of which will go to the United

States, through an agreement between Pfizer and the U.S. government. Pfi zer’s vaccine is not the only one with promising results from a preliminary analysis. Moderna announced earlier this week that its vaccine was nearly 95 percent effective in preventing illness. Moderna’s vaccine also must be kept at cold temperatures, but not as cold as Pfi zer’s.

Whitehorse posted the following message to his fans on Facebook: “Managed to ride a few bulls this week at the [PBR] World Finals to have a second place finish, and I finished the season off seventh in the world.” He then thanks his family, fans, and sponsors. In addition to those fans

congratulating W hitehorse fo r h i s s u c c e s s , h e w a s a lso recognized by Nava jo Nation President Jonatha n Nez a nd Vice P re sident Myron Lizer. “[We] congratulate and thank Diné professional bull rider Keyshawn Whitehorse for competing hard in this year’s PBR World Finals!”

A post from the Nez-Lizer administration’s Facebook reads. “Keep working hard and thank you for being an inspiration for our Diné people. It was wonderful to watch one of our own compete at the highest level.” Whitehorse came in second place in the fi nal round with a score of 93.75. He also

won Round 2 on Nov. 13 with a 91-point ride. This wa s W h itehorse’s third season in PBR. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2018. To keep up with Keyshawn Whitehorse’s c a r e e r, v i s i t h t t p s: //

between the hours of 7 am (MST) and 3 pm (MST). These businesses are required to ensure employees and customers wear masks, practice social distancin, have access ec t h ig h - t ouch su r fa ce s, access to hand wash stations, sanitizers and gloves, and

limit the number of customers in any enclosed areas. “Many families are grieving and we have to keep them in mind as we go about our daily activities. Please make good decisions and please be safe. We know that the pandemic is also taking its toll on the mental

health of many, so please pray for yourselves and all of our Navajo people. We will come out of this pandemic stronger and more resilient,” Vice President Myron Lizer said. For more information, including prevention tips, and resources

to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website: http:// www. n d oh . n ava jo - n sn . gov/COVID-19. For COVID19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.

22 Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

www.facebook .com/ keyshawnwhitehorsepbr/.

CLASSIFIEDS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2020 FRIDAY, November 20

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

1:30 pm-2:30 pm @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.). Pre-registration is preferred, but not required at cvtestreg.nmhealth.org

VIRTUAL FUN FRIDAY

4 pm Live on Facebook, @ galluplibrary The Library will have weekly virtual fun with games, guests, and more! Participate in Fun Friday interactive events and the opportunity to win some great prizes! Trivia challenge.

OFPL NATIVE SPEAKERS SERIES

11 am YouTube @gallup library. Introductions to the Zuni and Navajo Languages during the month of November. Videos are posted Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. Today’s subject is: Counting in Navajo.

ONE-2-ONE VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY HELP

11 am-12 pm live on Facebook, @galluplibrary and through scheduled video and audio calls. Ask your technology questions and get assistance during the live sessions. Please email libtrain@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 to schedule a personalized audio or video meeting, or join us Live on Facebook at the scheduled times. MONDAY, November 23

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

1:30 pm-2:30 pm @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.). Pre-registration is preferred, but not required at cvtestreg.nmhealth.org

FALL IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION ENDS

UNM-Gallup goes to an all-remote instruction/ exam period from Nov. 30Dec. 12 after today.

CREATIVE CORNER

4 pm @ ofpl.online/programs/#makerspace. The focus will be on Clay Pinch Pots (using air-dry clay). Create a high-contrast geometric panel to brighten up any room. For more information: jwhitman@galllupnm.gov; (505) 863-1291 TUESDAY, November 24

VIRTUAL ARTIST TALK: LIFE, SURVIVAL AND HOPE BY ARNULFO PEÑA

7 pm @ LIVE on gallupARTS Facebook and Instagram This show concerns new and old work depicting the strength, courage, love and CALENDAR

hope of Native American people. For more information:, gallupARTS is on Facebook and Instagram @ gallupARTs.

COVID TESTING

11 am-1 pm in Grants @ 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Ste. 100

UNM-GALLUP BOOKSTORE REOPENS

10 am-3 pm for curbside pickup only.

EVERYBODY IS TALKING TUESDAYS! – INDIGENOUS MOVERS AND SHAKERS

4 pm YouTube, @galluplibrary on Tuesdays. Join the creative genius of the Octavia Fellin Public Library and our unusually talented neighbors for book-talks, author-talks, movie-talks, pop-talks, food-talks, maker-talks, tech-talks.

ONE-2-ONE VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY HELP

5 pm live on Facebook, @ galluplibrary and through scheduled video and audio calls. Ask your technology questions and get assistance during the live sessions. Please email libtrain@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 to schedule a personalized audio or video meeting, or join us Live on Facebook at the scheduled times. WEDNESDAY, November 25

UNM-GALLUP BOOKSTORE REOPENS

10 am-3 pm for curbside pickup only. (705 Gurley Ave.)

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

1:30 pm-2:30 pm @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.). Pre-registration is preferred, but not required at cvtestreg.nmhealth.org

DRIVE-UP FLU VACCINATION

9 am-12 pm @ Pueblo Pintado Health Clinic. For more information call Crownpoint Division of Public Health (505) 7866294; (505) 786-6240

OFPL NATIVE SPEAKERS SERIES

11 am YouTube @gallup library. Introductions to the Zuni and Navajo Languages during the month of November. Videos are posted Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. Today’s subject is: Colors in Navajo. THURSDAY, November 26

COVID TESTING

2 pm-4 pm in Grants @ 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Ste. 100

CRAFTY KIDS

4 pm on Facebook and Youtube @galluplibrary (all ages) for family-friendly

CALENDAR

crafts and step-by-step tutorials for all skill levels. This week we will do A Black Friday Project. ONGOING

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

Gallup Wreaths Across America is working to place a Christmas wreath on every veteran’s grave in Gallup on Dec. 19. Due to COVID restrictions, the honor guard and wreath-laying ceremony will be virtual, with the City of Gallup filming and posting it online. Volunteers who wish to participate the laying of the wreaths at Gallup’s four cemeteries will meet in the open air, wearing masks and practice social distancing. Three-hundred wreaths have been sponsored so far. There are 1,300 veteran’s graves in Gallup. The deadline for sponsorship is Nov. 30. Wreaths can be sponsored for $15 each. For more information, contact Janice Bradley at janiceb43@ me.com

CROP HUNGER WALK

12 pm-2 pm @ The Community Pantry (1130 Hasler Valley Road) you can pick up CROP donation envelopes, posters, pamphlets, orange vests and other materials for your neighborhood walks to raise funds and awareness for local and global food insecurity and emergency disaster needs. The CROP Hunger Walk continues through Dec. 1. For more information, contact Hilda at the Community Pantry (505) 726-8068 or email betsywindisch@yahoo.com

DIÑE COLLEGE VIRTUAL ART AUCTION

Photos and descriptions of Native American art will be for sale during a virtual art auction currently underway. The goal is to raise funds for the Warrior Scholarship Fund. Art items will be available for purchase online until Dec. 2

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for more mentors to make a difference in the life of a young person. Mentors and mentees can meet for socially distance friendly interactions or hangout virtually playing games, cooking, reading, etc. via Facetime, Zoom, or other platforms. For more information call 505726-4285 or go to www. bbbsmountainregion.org/ volunteer to sign up today.

MCKINLEY COUNTY IMMUNIZATION CLINICS, FLU

SHOTS

8:30 am – 4 pm Mon., Wed., Fri. continues through November by appointment. @ McKinley Public Health Office, (1919 College Dr.) Call (505) 722-4391 to schedule an appointment. Vaccines provided at no cost for children through 18 years of age. Bring your child’s shot record.

2021 WINTER TALK

Art work request for one original piece of two-dimensional art (mixed media, watercolor, acrylic, oil, print, charcoal) suitable for scanning size 16”x 24” for a commission of $500 to an Indigenous artist (18 years and older with a CDIB), to be completed and delivered to the New Mexico Conference of Churches by Nov. 30.

RMCHCS FLU VACCINES (ADULTS ONLY)

Urgent Care Clinic (520 Hwy. 564). Walk-ins 5 pm- 9 pm, Sat., 9 am - 9 pm and 12 pm-5 pm Sun. Please bring insurance information. For those with no health insurance there will be a $25 fee. Pre-registration can be done during hours of operation, 9 am-9 pm. For more information: (505) 863-2273.

GIRL SCOUTS ROBOT BUILDING PARTY

Times will be scheduled based on demand. This free ongoing activity continues until Nov. 30. For more information: https:// wwwnmgirlscounts.org/ en/about-girl-scouts/join/ robot-building-party.html; (505) 343-1040.

VIRTUAL TUTORING AND HOMEWORK HELP

Beginning Sept. 8, The Boys & Girls Club of Gallup has been offering virtual tutoring and homework help with trained mentors using Zoom calls. Club members with a 2020 membership can attend for free after they fill out a virtual permission form on the club website. To get a 2020 membership, fill out an online application and permission form. It’s free. The help will be available until Dec. 31. For more information: bgcgallup.com; (505) 488-2378; Facebook@ BoysandGirlsClubGallup

RMCHCS COVID-19 DRIVE-UP TESTING

9 am-5 pm Mon.-Fri. @ Urgent Care Center (520 NM Hwy 564, north of the New Mexico Cancer Center). Closed Nov. 26-29. DIAL-A-STORY Storytime anytime, call (505) 862-9177 to hear a story any time of the

day or night. Stories will change daily, at the end feel free to leave us a message to let us know what stories you want to hear. For more information: childlib@gallupnm.gov; (505) 863-1291.

LIBRARY CARD REGISTRATION ONLINE

Today’s libraries have programs and resources that go far beyond books. From virtual story times, family game nights and art classes, to opportunities to borrow audiobooks and stream movies, there’s something for everyone at the library. To explore all that the library has to offer, visit your library at ofpl.online to register for a free library card. For more information: bmartin@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

CURBSIDE CHECKOUT SERVICES

OFPL staff continues to provide essential services to our community by offering curbside checkout, virtual classes, workshops, and public education through our social media platforms. Visit ofpl.online for the online request form. • DVD/CD check out limit is 10 - 30 library items total. OFPL Staff is on-site Monday through Friday from 9 am-6 pm. and will assist with curbside checkout. Free Comic Book to keep with your curbside order while supplies last. Call (505)-863-1291 for all inquiries including reference services.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REGISTRATION

OFPL is recruiting new members for our Friends of the Library Group. The OFPL Friends’ support library programs, services, and collections through a variety of in-kind activities. If you are passionate about helping our community grow stronger, join the Octavia Fellin Public Library Friends’ Group and get involved in event planning, local and State advocacy, fundraising and philanthropy. To join please visit https://ofpl. online/partners-of-ofpl/#friends and our Friends’ Coordinator will contact you with more information. For more information: childlib@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291. To post a nonprofit or civic event in the calendar section, please email: gallupsunevents@gmail.com or fax: (505) 212-0391. Deadline: Monday at 5 pm.

Gallup Sun • Friday November 20, 2020

23

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24 Friday November 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

COMMUNITY

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