and 22 and July 6, 20 and

By Holly J. Wagner Sun Correspondent

It looks like Gallup will have a car show during the Freedom Ride, Flight & Cruise weekend in July, although the event was in doubt for a while and details for this year still need city approval.

This year’s event will be smaller, expecting 60 to 70 classic rides as opposed to about 120 in past years. It’s set to take place at a vacant lot on West Aztec Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Streets from 10 am to 2 pm July 30, giving tourists and locals a reason to stay downtown between the morning balloon lift and the motorcycle cruise and Tunnel of Fire in the evening.

Auto dealer Steve Gurley, who put on the show for many years, was unable to continue this year. That left it up to others to pull together a show.

Enthusiast Ted Gonzales, who has helped Gurley on past shows, stepped up to help organize the new event. Steve Gurley (left) and Ted Gonzales worked together on previous Gallup car shows. Gonzales is spearheading the eff ort this year. Photo Credit: BID

“He’s a car genius,” BID Director Francis Bee said. Bee approached Gonzales to take on the job. Gonzales has been hard at work getting volunteers and sponsors and arranging for vendors, trophies and merchandise ever since.

“No matter how much you do it, you’re starting from scratch all over again,” Gonzales said. “All the doors are open but you still have to do the walking and the talking.”

Plans include having a DJ and at least one food truck on site for the show, which will be free to attend. The car entry fee will be $30, and one prize will be offered in each of 12 categories, Gonzales said. Entry forms will be available on the Business Improvement District website the week of June 6.

Gonzales plans to follow Gurley’s example and donate any proceeds from the show to Veterans Helping Veterans.

Saturdays • 6 pm - 9pm • FREE • Bring a Chair

MAY 21 – DANTE ELEPHANTE MAY 28 – TAYLOR ASHTON JUNE 4 – SIDE PONY JUNE 18 – DEF-I JUNE 25 – RAYE ZARAGOZA JULY 2 – CURLEY TAYLOR JULY 9 – LINDY VISION JULY 16 – MOZART GABRIEL & FOX ROYALE JULY 23 – DDAT JULY 30 – TAYLOR SCOTT BAND

Performance will be at the Historic El Morro theater

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By Glenn Kay For the Sun

With the arrival of June, it looks like the summer movie season is fi nally upon us.

This week isn’t jam-packed with titles, but it does see the release of the Joel Kim Booster/Bowen Yang comedy “Fire Island” that will be available for viewing exclusively on Hulu. Reviews for the fi lm have been solid thus far. Alas, this reviewer moved this week and didn’t get the opportunity to check it out.

But it seems like a good opportunity to take a look at what will be arriving at cinemas over the next couple of months. As always, dates are occasionally altered at the last minute and there may be a few surprise hits from smaller distributors, but you’ll fi nd most of what the major studios are offering in the following paragraphs.

The June 10 feature “Hustle” stars comedian Adam Sandler as a washed-up basketball scout visiting Spain. While there, he discovers an incredible street ball player and tries to ignite both their careers. This movie will be streaming on Netfl ix and will be available to see at select theaters.

One of the biggest films of the summer also arrives next week. “Jurassic World: Dominion” is the sixth and apparently final chapter in Universal’s long-running franchise. Dinosaurs are now all over the world, putting all humanity in danger. The fi lm stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard from the previous two installments alongside original series stars Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum.

And, if you’re looking for smaller British fare, Sony Pictures classics are putting out the golf biopic “Phantom of the Open” with Mark Rylance as a player who shot the worst round ever at the British Open golf tournament.

The following week, Disney and Pixar are unveiling the animated “Toy Story” prequel “Lightyear” detailing the history of the famous character.

A lonely and depressed man from Wales decides to build himself a robot friend in the UK comedy “Brian and Charles” from Focus Features.

“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” is another feature from the same country. Emma Thompson stars as a retired teacher who visits a younger male sex worker and forms a bond with him. The fi lm will be available for streaming on Hulu.

And speaking of subscription-based options, Netfl ix is presenting “Spiderhead” on the same weekend. It stars Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller and is set in a futuristic penitentiary where inmates are given mind-altering drugs.

On June 24, Universal Pictures are presenting the horror fi lm “The Black Phone” at cinemas. It’s about a 13-yearold boy who is abducted and must escape from a masked child killer. Ethan Hawke plays the antagonist.

“Elvis” from Warner Bros. is an epic biopic about the life of the famous musician from filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge!,” “Strictly Ballroom”). Austin Butler plays the lead and Tom Hanks has a major role as manager Colonel Tom Parker. Apparently, Elvis Presley’s family recently lent their support to the picture and have already recommended it to audiences.

Additionally, independent outlet A24 have “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’’ featuring an interesting mix of animation and live-action footage. It’s about a friendly mollusk who is interviewed about his adventures on dry land.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” serves as a prequel of sorts that shows how the sinister Gru teamed up with his little yellow partners. It arrives at theaters from Universal Pictures on July 1.

And after the holiday weekend, another major release hits theaters. Disney and Marvel are presenting “Thor: Love and Thunder” on July 8. This is the fourth fi lm in the Thor series and it sees the superhero doing battle with a foe named the God Butcher who wants to vanquish and wipe out the title character. Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor, Christian Bale plays the villain and the cast also includes Natalie Portman, Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Russell Crowe, Sam Neill, Tessa Thompson, Matt Damon and many other familiar faces.

July 15 is another busy weekend. “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” from Nickelodeon Movies is an animated family fi lm about a dog who trains to be a samurai. The voice cast includes Michael Cera, Michelle Yeoh, Ricky Gervais and Samuel L. Jackson.

June 2022 Arts & Entertainment Calendar

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 SUMMER X-STREAM SCAVENGER HUNT 10 am to 5 pm @ the Main Library and Children’s Branch (115 W. Hill Ave. and 200 W. Aztec. Ave.). Kick off summer reading with an oceanthemed scavenger hunt and a chance to win some great prizes. Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 8631291 for more information. FRIDAY NIGHT RIDES 12 pm to 8 pm. @ Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe (306 S. 2nd St.). On the fi rst Friday of every month, join your fellow motor enthusiasts. Whether you have a classic, off-road, sports, truck, motorcycle... whatever it may be, bring it over! Live music, raffl es, games, and other fun activities (varies every event). And of course, great coffee, fantastic food, and good people. SATURDAY, JUNE 4 RED ROCK CLASSIC USTRC TEAM ROPING @ Red Rock Park (825 Outlaw Rd., Church Rock). This is a team roping USTRC Signature Series Qualifi er. It is free to the public. LEVITT AMP CONCERT SERIES 6 pm @ Courthouse Square. Come join the fun in the heart of downtown Gallup at this free concert series brought to you by the Levitt Amp Foundation, Gallup Mainstreet Arts & Cultural District, Visit Gallup & the City of Gallup. This week Side Pony will be performing. “THE TRANSITION” “The Transition” is a narrative art installation by Zuni artist Dennis Dewa that sharply contrasts the current state of the environment with the brighter future that is possible through immediate, radical change through a landscape mural. The exhibit will be on display until June 4.

MONDAY, JUNE 6 POKÉMON GO GYM BATTLES The Pokémon Go! Battle for Zollinger Library will heat up. During the summer, the Library will check which Pokémon team has control of the Library’s gym at 5 pm each weekday. The team in control will have their fl ag raised for 24 hours. At the end of the summer, a champion will be declared. Will it be team Instinct, team Mystic, or team Valor? Watch for updates on social media. For questions please call 505-8637531 or email markos@unm. edu.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 POKÉMON GO PARTY 4 pm @ Zolllinger Library (705 Gurley Ave.). Join fellow Pokémon trainers for a friendly gathering with snacks. Make new friends, trade, battle, or just enjoy the company. There will also be Pokémon trivia at 5 pm This event is open to everyone. For questions please call 505863-7531 or email markos@ unm.edu. SATURDAY, JUNE 11 ART CRAWL 7 pm to 9 pm @ Downtown Gallup. Come experience local and professional art, artist demonstrations, gallery openings, live music, handson crafts, and games for the kids. “ALL OVER THE BOARD” SHOW OPENING 7 pm to 9 pm @ ART123 Gallery (123. W. Coal Ave.). A variety show of work in multiple subjects and media, from horses to teacups to fl owers to abstracts to nudes to portraits done in oil, watercolor and pastel by artist Shannon Gurley O’Donnell. SUMMER X-STREAM SCAVENGER HUNT 12 pm to 4 pm @ the Rio West Mall (1300 W Maloney Ave.), behind the Hobby Lobby. Participate in Summer X-STREAM by joining OFPL in an ocean-themed scavenger hunt and a chance to win some great prizes. Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information. ARTSCRAWL SCAVENGER HUNT & PRINCESS CELEBRATION 7 pm to 9 pm behind the Children’s Branch of OFPL (200 W. Aztec. Ave.). Participate in Summer X-STREAM by joining OFPL in an ocean-themed

Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for June 3, 2022

By Glenn Kay For the Sun

Hello and welcome to another look at some of the Blu-ray and DVD highlights coming your way. With the Memorial Day holiday, it seems that the movie studios have also decided to take a bit of a breather. Still, there are a few noteworthy titles arriving on shelves. So, if you can’t make it to the movies or shouldn’t be going out this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

BIG NEW RELEASES!

OTHER MUSIC: It looks like this music-themed documentary was released at theaters just before the beginning of the pandemic, but hasn’t found its way to disc until this week.

The fi lm tells the story of the title location, an extremely popular New York record store that helped establish numerous bands from the early 2000s, including Vampire Weekend, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Neutral Milk Hotel and many others. Alas, the fi lm captures the fi nal years of the shop, as rent increases and the proliferation of streaming causes a downturn in business leading to its closure. It also includes discussions with those who miss the spot and what it brought to the music scene.

This fi lm received nothing but raves from critics. They wrote that it beautifully eulogized the record store scene in general and featured moving comments and observations from some famous individuals.

POUPELLE OF

CHIMNEY TOWN: A young boy living in a strange and remote city covered in soot and smoke yearns to see the stars and sky. In order to make his dream a reality, he decides to venture out and see if there is anything past the gray. Along the way, the youngster meets an odd-looking but friendly man made entirely of garbage who is also looking for something clearer and cleaner in life.

This animated family film from Japan was generally well-received. A small contingent complained that the movie was too sentimental and would have benefi tted from a darker and grimier approach. However, the vast majority appreciated the sweetness, suggesting that the fi lm was fun and dynamic, visually spectacular and had a lot of subtle but important things to say about authoritarian leaders and oppressive societies.

You can watch it in its original Japanese with subtitles or an English dub featuring the voice talents of Tony Hale, Antonio Raul Corbo, Stephen Root, Misty Lee and Hasan Minhaj.

STRAWBERR Y

MANSION: According to this unique fantasy film, in the future our dreams will be controlled by the government and will be taxed and fused with advertising and product placements.

One taxman arrives at the home of a woman to perform an audit. He fi nds himself traveling deep into her subconscious and begins to fall in love with an earlier version of herself, causing all sorts of complications in dreamland.

This independent title was very well-received and earned great reviews. A tiny percentage had trouble connecting with the movie and found it tonally unbalanced. Still, the majority said it was completely unique and were blown away by the trippy visuals and interestingly homemade feel of the events being presented. It features Kentucker Audley, Albert Birney, Penny Fuller and Grace Glowicki.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST!

If you’re looking for something a little older, it’s such a busy week that I’m going to have to go through the options a little

more quickly than usual.

Canadian International Pictures have a Blu-ray of the crime picture, “The Mob” (1975). It’s about a Montreal-based hitman trying to make his mark in New York City. The movie has been restored in 2K for its Bluray debut. It is considered a lost Canadian classic and comes with another feature by the fi lmmaker as well as some shorts, a series of French-Canadian crime movie trailers and many other extras.

Speaking of Canadian fl icks, you can also pick up “Beauty Day” (2011) on Blu-ray from Circle Collective. This is a fi lm about a person named Ralph Zavadil, who was something of a forerunner to the Jackass gang, performing dangerous stunts for his radio show in the early 1990s. This movie features the man trying to recapture the magic of old. It comes with a commentary, deleted scenes and more.

“Double Indemnity” (1944) is a fi lm noir from Billy Wilder (“Some Like It Hot,” “The Apartment”) that is considered one of the best features ever made. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and stars Fred MacMuray as an insurance agent who gets in over his head with a femme fatale (played by Barbara Stanwyck).

You can pick this up in either a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray pack or as a standalone Blu-ray. This release includes a new digital restoration of the film, interviews with movie historians, a 1992 fi lm about the director, radio adaptations, commentary tracks and more!

Fun City Editions have a Blu-ray of “Born to Win” (1971), a well-regarded feature with George Segal about asmartmouthed junkie who spends his days looking for one more fi x. The movie has been given a 2K restoration for this disc and comes with a film historian commentary and more.

Scorpion would like you to know that you can pick-up the teen comedy, “Almost Summer” (1978) on Blu-ray. It’s about a high school presidential election that gets out of hand. The disc includes a 2K transfer of the movie and several interviews with crew and cast members like Tim Matheson.

Shout! Factory are upgrading the recent horror hits “Happy Death Day” (2017) and “Happy Death Day 2U” (2019) with 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray sets.

COMING TO THEATERS | FROM PAGE 10

The British comedy “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” follows a widowed cleaning lady in the 1950s desperate to own a couture Dior dress. She heads to France to try and make her dream come true. Lesley Manville stars along with Jason Isaacs and Isabelle Huppert in this title from Focus Features.

The same weekend Netfl ix is making the period romantic drama “Persuasion” available to stream. Dakota Johnson and Henry Golding are featured in this adaptation of the Jane Austin novel.

“Where the Crawdads Sing” is a crime drama from Sony Pictures involves a woman who raises herself in the Louisiana marshlands and is accused of murdering a man she was once involved with.

On July 22, “The Gray Man” debuts on Netflix. This tale features Ryan Gosling as a CIA agent who is imprisoned, escapes from jail and is pursued by other government assassins. Chris Evans and Ana de Armas co-star.

And making its debut at cinemas is the latest chiller from Jordan Peele (“Get Out”) and Universal Pictures. “Nope” follows a group of residents in an inland California town who endure some strange and possibly supernatural events. The cast includes Daniel Kaluuya and Steven Yeun.

The fi nal weekend of July sees the release of “Vengeance” from Focus Features. B.J. Novak (perhaps most familiar

But personally, their highlight of the week is the Blu-ray debut of “The Ninth Confi guration” (1980), a very strange and eccentric thriller about a group of men in a psychological institution. It was written and directed by author William Peter Blatty (who wrote “The Exorcist”) and arrives as Shout! Factory Exclusive that can only be ordered through their website.

Sony are releasing a 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray edition of the patriotic feature “1776” (1972) to mark its 50th Anniversary. It includes two different cuts of the fi lm.

Finally, Warner Bros. are releasing a box set called “The Conjuring Universe 7-Film Collection” set. As you might have already guessed, it contains all of the fi lms relating to “The Conjuring” in one package.

YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!

Here are some titles that might appeal to kids in the household.

“Astro Boy” The Complete 1980 Series (Discotek) Blu-ray

“Double Dragon” The Complete Series (1993-1994 animated series) (Discotek) Blu-ray

ON THE TUBE!

to readers as Ryan from the TV-series “The Offi ce”) stars, writes and directs this tale of a radio host investigating the murder of an ex-girlfriend.

And after a slight delay, the Warner Bros. family animated film “DC League of SuperPets” should be appearing at theaters. It features the pets of various superheroes teaming up to save the world after their masters are captured. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart provide voices for the animals.

And there’s plenty that will be arriving this August, among them the Sony thriller “Bullet Train’’ with Brad Pitt and the Netflix comedy “The Man from Toronto” starring Kevin Hart. This is only a portion of what will be appearing at theaters during this busy summer season!

And here are the week’s TV-themed releases.

“Agatha Raisin” Series 4 (Acorn) DVD

“Astro Boy” The Complete 1980 Series (Discotek) Blu-ray

“Becker” The Complete Series (Paramount) DVD

“The Boys” Seasons 1 & 2 Collection (Sony) Blu-ray

“Double Dragon” The Complete Series (1993-1994 animated series) (Discotek) Blu-ray

“Gomorrah” The 5th and Final Season (Kino) Blu-ray

“The Gulf” Season 2 (Image) DVD

“Lucifer” Season 5 (Warner Archives) Blu-ray or DVD

“Why Women Kill” Season 2 (CBS made-on-demand) DVD

“Yellowstone” The First 4 Seasons (Paramount) Blu-ray

VISIT: WWW. CINEMASTANCE.COM

SCENES FROM MEMORIAL DAY IN GALLUP 2022

Local area veterans fall in at the start of the Memorial Day remembrance at Courthouse Square May 30. Photo Credit: RAH Photography

The Veterans Helping Veterans color guard post the colors at the Memorial Day remembrance at Courthouse Square in Gallup May 30. Photo Credit: RAH Photography Coast Guard recruit and recent graduate Marissa Garcia sings the National Anthem as David Cuellar salutes the fl ag. Photo Credit: RAH Photography

VOTE JAMES MAIORANO FOR McKINLEY COUNTY SHERIFF ON JUNE 7TH

Over the last few months, you have heard candidates say that we need change, but those changes have already been made. We need community policing: Our office attends community events, school events, conducts business checks, neighborhood patrols, interacts with school students, has initiated a neighborhood watch program, participates in charity events and fundraisers, and sponsors interns from high schools and colleges. We need to be proactive, not reactive: Our Office already conducts proactive patrols, participates in community meetings, conducts routine school checks, drug and alcohol presentations for students, K-9 drug sweeps, DWI patrols, and drug interdiction. We need a cross commissioning agreement with the Navajo Nation: Our Office already has an active cross commissioning agreement with the Navajo Nation and 19 of our current 32 deputies are cross commissioned to serve the Nation as needed, as well as having active agreements with the Zuni Pueblo and Ramah Navajo. We need to work with other agencies: Our Office currently participates in a DWI Task Force involving 6 local agencies, has a cooperative agreement with federal agencies, and has a working relationship with our neighboring counties and tribal agencies. We need ethics, transparency, and an open-door policy: Our Office listens to our community members, takes walk-in appointments, and is transparent and accountable to the citizens we serve as well as having an interactive social media platform. We need to address substance abuse issues: Our Office is working with available providers and sits on committees to address substance abuse issues, drug court, rehabilitation, pre-trial release, and re-entry after incarceration. We need more deputies: Our Office has already been approved for funding for more positions and is actively attending job fairs, graduations, colleges, recruiting events, and reaching out to military veterans to bring in quality deputies to serve our communities. The problems the communities say we face now are the “walkers”, drug issues, drag racers, property crimes, intoxicated individuals panhandling patrons, poor response time to calls (local and rural), and drunk drivers. We, as a community, need to pull together and solve these issues to improve our quality of life. I am dedicated to working with the Gallup Police, State Police, and our Tribal Agencies to solve these issues through collaboration and good old-fashioned “elbow grease”. As the current Undersheriff, with 21 years of law enforcement experience, I know that we have a Sheriff’s Office that serves its communities, takes care of its residents, and protects the rights of its citizens. There is always room for improvement and we are open to the communities’ input. Let’s keep things moving forward, not start over again.

I am humbly asking for your vote on June 7th so we can continue to work hard for the citizens of McKinley County. You can follow me on Facebook @Maiorano4Sheriff or you can email me at Maiorano4Sheriff@gmail.com. Fully endorsed by the current Sheriff, Ron Silversmith

Veterans fold a fl ag in honor of a deceased solider to present to a grieving mother. This was followed by the 21 gun salute and the playing of “Taps.” Photo Credit: RAH Photography

Dine Local Restaurant Guide

Please Support Local Businesses

We have the best Burgers & Wings in Gallup!

Mayor Louis Bonaguidi addresses the crowd at Courthouse Square in Gallup. Photo Credit: RAH Photography

Offering DINE-IN & TAKE-OUT! Give Us A Call!

(505) 722-9311

1981 NM-602, Gallup, NM 87301

Hours: Tuesday- Friday 11 am to7 pm Saturday 11 am to 5 pm

Flags surround the Courthouse Square, including a large fl ag hoisted up in the air by a Gallup fi re engine, during Gallup’s annual Memorial Day observance ceremony May 30. Photo Credit: Gallup Veterans Helping Veterans Kelly Akeson played a moving rendintion of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Photo Credit: Gallup Veterans Helping Veterans

NEWS NEWS

LOCAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS On the Spot: Sheriff candidates weigh in on the issues

By Haneen Abdeljawad For the Sun

The race for McKinley County Sheriff is coming to an end with the June 7 election around the corner.

The purpose of this Q&A is to widen the community’s knowledge of these candidates to better understand how they would respond to certain situations. And also to shed light on issues that law enforcement currently face.

Sheriff candidate Francie Martinez was not interviewed by deadline, due to scheduling conflicts.

Questions: 1. Tell me a bit about yourself and your background. 2. What sets you apart from the other candidates? 3. If you could change one thing about Gallup, what would it be? 4. What would you do to ensure that people of color in our community will be protected against brutality? 5. How would you ensure the protection of our students in schools against any shooter threats?

James Maiorano

1. James Maiorano’s resume includes years of experience in law enforcement. He has worked for McKinley County’s Sheriff’s office for 18 years and also worked for Gallup’s Police Department for four years. He is the current McKinley County undersheriff, and serves under Sheriff Ron Silversmith. 2. Maiorano emphasized how since he is currently working as the undersheriff, he knows the ropes of the job. Maiorano explained that he currently 0budgets, purchases, hires staff, and knows how to run the staff efficiently. He has been assisting Silversmith with these tasks. Maiorano also explains how he has been an active member in starting programs within the community. Programs such as the K-9 program in the schools aim to educate K-12 students on the danger of drugs and alcohol.

He has also helped facilitate the “Trustee Program.” These inmates, with mostly alcohol-related misdemeanor offenses, are permitted to leave the jail under supervision and pick up litter in McKinley County. Maiorano also emphasized that his administration has been working to educate hospitals, care centers, schools, and major schools about active shooter responses and how to handle those dangers and threats. He also highlighted a program called “stop the bleed,” which teaches people how to keep a gunshot wound from bleeding out, plus other first aid responses. Along with that, he said there’s a class called “situational awareness,” which educates people on their surroundings and how to handle a dangerous situation. 3. Maiorano answered this question almost immediately with no hesitation, “the quality of life in our community.” He mentioned how he is aware that many of the residents in the area do not feel safe going for a walk outside due to the aggressive panhandling or the rising crime rate.

He mentioned how it is essential to work with all law enforcement agencies. Maiorano mentioned that fixing these «small issues» could make people want to stay here, and make a life here. 4. When asked this question, Maiorano brought to attention the many diverse communities we have within the community. He mentioned how McKinley County has an “impeccable record” for not using extreme force. Maiorano explains that this is because of the detail that goes into training officers. They are trained in “de-escalation” processes, which relies on talking your way through a situation rather than using force. Maiorano also explained that within the staff there is a diverse group that understands the area, people, and culture, which helps with the safety and understanding of all members of the community.

5. Maiorano went right into action responses for this last question. He explained that he is currently assisting with active shooter classes, which trains teachers on what they should do in a lockdown, and the essential precautions to take for safety — as well as how to work with law enforcement in case of an emergency.

Full scale drills take place with teachers and law enforcement. A fake bad guy is put into place and the teachers and staff are trained to work together along with law enforcement and emergency medical services to put a stop to any dangerous individuals, and protect the students from any threats.

Maiorano emphasizes that if a situation like this were to occur while he is Sheriff, he would ensure that every agency and surrounding agency would be sent to the direction of the shooter and de-escalation tactics would be applied to stop the threat as quickly as possible.

Maiorano also explains how there is still not enough training and communication between the schools and law enforcement, so a plan is essential to the safety of all staff and students, and that is what he has been working on perfecting the past few years. His plan of action includes breaching the building as soon as possible in any case of a threat, and neutralizing the shooter.

Elreno Henio

tribute to his roots and identity. Henio is from Thoreau. He comes from the Redhouse Clan born for Apache.

He also recognized his Mexican roots from his mother’s side. He has been a law enforcement officer for 26 years. He has been with the Navajo Nation Police for eight years.

Henio started off his career in the Phoenix area where he graduated from the police academy in 1996. He moved to New Mexico and learned tribal law and New Mexico state law. He has been on patrol for most of his years and in 2015 he became a sargeant. In 2021, he was promoted to lieutenant. 2. Henio explains that his experience is what sets him apart. He stated, “I believe that I am the better candidate due to the fact that I work with the tribal police [and] city police. I have worked in a city before, I have worked in a county, and I also was trained in a big metropolitan police department.”

He also explains that he has been on patrol most of his years and promised that if he is elected sheriff he will not be “a sheriff that stays in the office,” he promises to be in uniform handling calls and being on patrol with his units. Henio explains that this will ensure he is aware of the problems and the crimes that are taking place in the area, and that he is up to date on all aspects about the safety of the community. 3. Henio is eager to work more with the Navajo Nation and Indigenous people. He explains that there needs to be more social services, mental health services, and domestic violence services. Henio wants to work together with the Navajo Nation law enforcement and social services to have clearer communication, and to assist with handling any calls. Henio stated that “I will really work on bringing everyone together — city, state, county, and tribal law enforcement — there is a lot we can learn from each other.” 4. Henio stated that he doesn’t think McKinley County has a race problem. He stated that the law enforcement in this area treats everyone the same no matter which color they may be … “justice is (color) blind,” he said.

He also followed through with a story about an individual of color who failed to yield and accused Henio of pulling him over due to his race. He explained that just like that individual, he is a person of color, and both of their ancestors have been brutalized in the past.

He empathized with the individual and chose to recognize their shared struggle. He talked the situation out and explained that he committed a traffic violation and that was the only reason why he was pulled over. The individual apologized to Henio for accusing him of being racist. Henio explains that he doesn’t view any particular group different from the other, he said, “we are all Americans,” and he believes that racial distinctions do not serve the community well. 5. Henio explains that in a dangerous situation, a set of quality officers is essential and more important than the amount of current officers on staff. Henio explains that he will “highly train” deputies, and invest his time in making high quality deputies as well. Henio explains that being a Navajo police officer has given him the proper experience to handle situations in which there may be no backup, thus he would have to make entry, and de-escalate the situation all by himself. He promises to train the deputies to ensure if a situation like this happens, they will be experienced and trained enough to be able to neutralize the target quickly.

Paul Lucero

and raised in Gallup. His family goes back many generations and his great grandparents were Native American. He has been working in law enforcement for over 20 years. He was McKinley County undersheriff for nearly five years. 2. Lucero recognizes that because he has grown up in McKinley County, he understands the culture and area on a deeper level. Lucero believes he will lead McKinley County in the right direction due to his understanding of the region, the people, the culture, and his main concern is the safety of the residents here in McKinley County. 3. Lucero’s answer to this question was straightforward and quick, “make it a safer place to live, that would be my primary change.” He emphasized how the safety of future generations relies on today’s leadership. 4. Lucero explained that hiring deputies who do not focus on race or color and treat all equally is key to avoiding attacks on people of color. Lucero said he would make sure to hire the right individuals that would implement these qualities if he is elected sheriff. 5. Lucero said to avoid catastrophes in schools, deputies must have proper training. Lucero believes active shooter training needs to be taught continuously. He also explained how he initiated the active shooter training and plans before he left MCSO as the undersheriff. He personally reached out to the Gallup McKinley County Schools central office, security, and the superintendent, and began the active shooter plan and training for all McKinley County schools.

Lucero said he sought out battering rams for his sergeants, and with the help of his assistant, he put together a layout of all the schools so each sergeant has a plan of action if there is any threat to schools. The last thing Lucero mentioned before the interview ended was: “I just want everyone to know that I am not running for the title, it’s about doing the job and that is what I want to do, and I want to do the job for all of the citizens of McKinley County.”

Mathew Hughbanks

1. Mathew Hughbanks moved to McKinley County in 1991. Both of his parents were active members of the community, with his father being a Baptist preacher in Thoreau and his mother a teacher at Thoreau Middle

ON THE SPOT | SEE PAGE 20