HERE AT NAABIK’IYATI COMMITTEE WHERE NAABI CONTINUES TO DEBATE 0059-14, WHICH IS OPPOSING THE LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL FOR OLE RED BARN WHICH IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY GARY MC DONALD.
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
I have voted against sale of liquor at casinos. And when 88-Council voted on legalization of liquor, the vote was 37 in favor, 36 opposed. I was among 36. And so if you voted for liquor at casinos, it dilutes our position and those state/county officials laugh at us.
Someone said Prez Shelly shud be here but where is Sen. Hale and Sen. Carl Begay. Do they care? They shud be leading the charge. And Navajo Human Rights Office shud work on this. But they aren’t. they fly to Geneva and issue press release, saying they are doing job. But this human rights issue and it’s about predatory practices.
Why aren’t we fighting? Because we’re not consistent and our legal advice from Attorney General and Legislative Counsel decide to do backroom deals.
There are traffic accidents and all other kinds of tragedies. Why aren’t our attorneys suing these liquor owners and operators? We shud also mandate the use of codes on liquor containers so can track where that liquor was sold.
We also need statistics that would strengthen laws regarding the sale of liquor near the Navajo Reservation.
I recommend you contact Leila Help Tulley because she organized people to stop the sale of liquor at Tohlakai, NM, and it was stoppped.
Look at our budget. I’ve always said let’s prevent the crime. We’ve built two jail for about $45 million and they are sitting there half empty. We shud build police sub-stations. OUr budget doesn’t reflect services for people. We ned to redo budget and make agreements with county law enforcement.
I give credit to Larry Casuse. He died for this cause. A UNM student. He opposed bar right outside Window Rock, Navajo Inn.
But attorneys too wimpy to take on liquor stores. And at Tse Bonito, N>M, right over rez line, there is sale of fireworks which are legally prohibited by Navajo law.
“We need to circle the wagons.”
And we need to teach young people how to drink modestly and use for relaxation. All we say is eeyah and kids run into dark and guzzle.
If we really do care, we wud bring to limelight and truly protect the people.
AMENDMENT AND SECOND BY DELEGATE NELSON BEGAYE
DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
Mr. Tsosie’s amendment will show that the Navajo Natin is ready to engate in this discussin and that this case will show Arizona and apache county. if you lok thur packet there is letter from apache county supervisor, which points out that McDonald has not been convicted and has not had enough violations to stop renewal of his liquor license. Delegate Maryboy can say that this is the process but based on apache county attorney’s letter, that process does not work. And so I support Tsosie’s amendment.
Back when former sheriff in office, he had interest in protecting Red Barn. He brot tons of statistics. When Giant asking to sell liquor, he brot tonso f statistics opposing Giant liquor sales.
In Houck and Lupton, only ones allowed to sell liquor was McDonald and why don’t see sheriff get involved in this issue.
DELEGATE LORENZO BATES
I wud ask for that Tsosie make amendment stronger becuase it’s wimpy. Use word, “demand.”
VOTE ON TSOSIE’S AMENDMENT IS 12 in favor, 0 opposed.
It is now 3:36 pm
DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ
Ask Delegate Phelps to include Navajo Human Rights Office to advocate for issues regarding liquor stores.
DELEGATE WALTER PHELPS
If state not successful, the feds can pick up because case involves Navajo reservation borders and state having jurisdiction and impacts of these activities negatively impacting Navajo people.
VOTE ON 0059-14, 12 IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED
