Naabik’iyati Committee now on LEGISLATION 0024-14 which is the confirmation of Former Navajo Area Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Omar Bradley to a four year term on the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Board. Delegate George Apachito is the sponsor.

OFFICE OF PRESIDENT SHELLY STAFF ASSISTANT GERI HARRISON

DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
I think that we need competition on reservation regarding casinos instead of having Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise monopolize gambling and it’s inefficient. Delegate LoRenzo Bates and Mel Begay are not here because they are in California to find a way to improve gaming business on the reservation.
So is it too late to ask Bradley to change orientation on the Gaming Enterprise Board to break up Ma Bell. Remember when Ma Bell broke up. There were all these phone companies across the country and that was great.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
I’m concerned about Harrison’s report that At-Large Board member is now serving in Juris Doctorate Board position. But the Council confirmed those individuals in those positions on the Board. Do those confirmation need to return to Council?

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL MARIANA KAHN
Need to see legislation appointing Martha King to see if general language or specific to a position.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
Then I must make this amendment

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
This same question was raised by Resources & Development Committee and Harrison told RDC that Martha King was being replaced. And there is an urgent matter of having an elected official serv e on the Board and a federal employee. Sen. Jackson is on the Board and Bradley is now a federal employee. And for Martha I believe there is a conflict because she works for the National Indian Gaming Association. They get paid $6,000 on a quarterly basis and just heard that they were at the Super Bowl. Maybe that’s why chapters not receiving revenues from gaming. And CEO is not qualified. Derrick Watchman was shuffled in there by buddy-buddy system when former CEO Bob Winters resigned to be a consultant for the Gaming Enterprise. There needs to be transparency and accountability in the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise. The people were promised that we’d see revenues to chapters in year five and this is year eight. I hope that Bradley takes all our concerns to the Board.

DELEGATE JOSH BUTLER
I agree with Delegate K.Benally. And no one wants to talk about Twin Arrows Casino & Resort not doing well which Gaming CEO Watchman and Controller Mark Grant also reported. I have complained about inadequate marketing. The bus line from south of Flagstaff has failed. And I don’t why they are in New York City attending Super Bowl. Ask Fort McDowell Tribe is worth it to sponsor Super Bowl and they will say no. And also why is Board and CEO out playing golf? They need to generate revenues and they need to pay their loans.

SPEAKER NAIZE
The board shall serve until successor is confirmed.

PRESIDENT NAIZE STAFF ASSISTANT GERI HARRISION
There are several vacant positions and those individuals will be coming before you. And Speaker correct that Gaming Enterprise Board member will serve until replaced.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
I understand that Gaming Enterprise Board member serves until replaced and I support the confirmation of Bradley.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
Bradley replacing Martha King so King no longer Gaming Enterprise Board member. And if Bradley finishing up King’s term then that must be in this legislation.