WOW!
Navajo Times
By Cindy Yurth
Tséyi’ Bureau
GAP, Ariz., October 1, 2012
Navajo Nation Police closed down a special Bodaway/Gap Chapter meeting Wednesday afternoon after it degenerated into heated arguments between proponents and opponents of a proposed resort and tramway at the Confluenceof the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers.
According to the agenda, the meeting was called to consider a resolution proposed by former tribal president Albert Hale, an Arizona state representative and partner in the firm that wants to build the Grand Canyon Escalade. Copies of the resolution were not available at the meeting, but the agenda said it would rescind two previous chapter resolutions opposing the $180 million resort, and withdraw up to 420 acres for its construction.
Several chapter members who oppose the development objected to the agenda item, saying the resolution had not been passed through the chapter’s land use planning committee or placed on the agenda at a planning meeting, and the midweek special meeting was hard for working chapter members to attend.
They also questioned why the resolution’s sponsor was not in attendance. Hale had sent two other members of would-be developers Confluence Partners LLC, Ivan Gamble and Deswood Tome, in his place.
Supporters of the proposed development countered that the protesters were blocking economic development and 2,000 much-needed jobs.
By 3 p.m., an hour after the meeting started, the chapter officials had lost all control and individuals within the two groups were yelling at each other loud enough to be heard in the parking lot. Three Navajo Nation policemen were trying to separate the dueling parties but were overwhelmed by the crowd of about 100.
An officer went to the microphone and announced he was closing the meeting for security reasons.
Most of the crowd remained in the senior citizens center, where the meeting was held, with some shouting that they feared the meeting would continue if they left.
Police eventually escorted the main combatants out of the building and the rest of the crowd followed, with chapter officials leaving through a different exit.
A chapter employee said Friday she did not know whether the meeting would be rescheduled.
Neither Hale nor anyone from Confluence Partners LLC returned a phone call Friday.
Bodaway resident Betty Tsinigine said she’s “getting tired” of the protesters, most of whom, she said, live off the reservation where they have running water and electricity, unlike the people who stayed on the Bennett Freeze.
“The true Bodaways want development,” she said.
She also scoffed at the idea that the protesters are trying to protect the Confluence, a sacred site in Navajo tradition.
“There’s no such thing as holy land along that cliff,” she said.
Shirley Wilson, another elder who lives above the Confluence, disagreed.
“My grandma and grandpa said there’s something down there that’s alive, and you shouldn’t mess with it,” she said. “Our elders wouldn’t go within 20 feet of the cliff. The only time you should go near it is to pray.”
Pauline Martin Sanchez agreed with Tsinigine that a lot of those who oppose the Escalade live off the reservation, including Sanchez, who makes her home in Phoenix.
“We’ve been away because we couldn’t afford to live there,” she said. “We didn’t want to be a burden on our chapter.”
Now that the Bennett Freeze has been lifted, she said, people are moving back.
“This is our belonging place,” she said. “This is where we come to maintain our relationship with the land.”
Sanchez said the Escalade opponents are being unfairly characterized as “no-sayers” when in fact they just want to make sure any development is appropriate for the environmentally and culturally sensitive area, and that the local people are compensated.
“We need to have a public forum where we can go ahead and learn about development, so we can be guaranteed we’re getting what is really sensible and what is possible to maintain,” she said. “I think a lot of the people here haven’t had enough experience to put on the table what they really want.”
Sanchez’ sister, Darlene Martin, said she just wants the chapter to treat both sides equally.
“When we submitted our resolutions,” she said, referring to the two anti-Escalade resolutions passed by the chapter, “they made sure we dotted all our i’s and crossed our t’s. Now these people come in, who aren’t even from our chapter, and they throw all the procedures out the window!”
Former Coconino County Supervisor Louise Yellowman, who came to Bodaway as a bride in the 1960s, found it painful to watch her fellow chapter members argue.
“These are all my students,” she said, noting that she used to teach in the little elementary school at Gap. “It’s like watching your grandchildren fight.”
For her own part, Yellowman would rather not see the area developed by Confluence Partners, which, although it includes Navajo partners, was created by political consultant Lamar Whitmer of Scottsdale, Ariz.
“One of the seven wonders of the world,” she said, shaking her head. “And who’s going to own it? Another white man.”
dsw2925
Dan,
Thank you for posting this latest and concerning development. I am having one of our reporters here at the Arizona Republic look into it.
David
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Dan” wrote:
I’ve been reading up on the project quite a bit over the last two months, and honestly, it seems like there isn’t a ton we can do right now. I feel like our best move is to create a united front with ALL stakeholders, and wage a PR campaign against the project. River runners, guiding companies, outfitters, wilderness coalitions, companies, etc…
At this point, I feel like no one has actually taken the threat legitimately enough to formally oppose it, and put some resources into a campaign. Part of that had to do with the fact the Gap/Bodaway chapter appeared to be opposing the development, and unless they relented, it couldn’t actually happen.
Well guess what? Today, the chapter is rescinding that resolution. So from my research, it seems like there is little stopping the development from the Navajo side. There might be a dispute over the boundary between the navajo res and the national park, but everyone seems to think this is an awfully bad thing for the park to get involved with, and I can’t even figure out definitively if it matters.
So much unknown it seems. But, there is a frightening precedent when you consider the development of western grand canyon, and this development stands to be even more disruptive and damaging than anything we’ve seen on the west end to date.
Today’s posting from the “Save the Confluence” Facebook account.
“Well, people who support us. We want to let you know today the chapter plans to rescind our resolution saying no to the Confluence Partners to develop at the Confluence. We know this is so unfair we have three of our elderlies in the hospital and the Confluence Partners specifially Deswood Tome, AZ lawmaker Albert Hale, Lamar Whitmer and Ivan Gamble care less for our loved ones. And the meeting was planned in the middle of the week. We continue to say no to Mr. > Whitmer and his ideas. We hope he is happy that he divided a community and he will live with this forever…”
As usual, I’m having a difficult time understanding exactly what is happening. But it seems this much is clear – the Gap/Bodaway chapter is rescinding their previous resolution opposing development. As best I can gather, this means the development partners have met the Dec. 31st deadline to gain unanimous support from all the chapters and community.
– Dan
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Anton Solovyev wrote:
But what does this mean for the project? Does anyone beside Navajo Nation
have any input into this? How to get involved to protect the place?
On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 6:40 AM, RAM wrote:
> WOW!
Navajo Times
By Cindy Yurth
Tséyi’ Bureau
GAP, Ariz., October 1, 2012
Navajo Nation Police closed down a special Bodaway/Gap Chapter meeting
> Wednesday afternoon after it degenerated into heated arguments between
> proponents and opponents of a proposed resort and tramway at the
> Confluenceof the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers.
According to the agenda, the meeting was called to consider a resolution
> proposed by former tribal president Albert Hale, an Arizona state
> representative and partner in the firm that wants to build the Grand Canyon
> Escalade. Copies of the resolution were not available at the meeting, but
> the agenda said it would rescind two previous chapter resolutions opposing
> the $180 million resort, and withdraw up to 420 acres for its construction.
Several chapter members who oppose the development objected to the agenda
> item, saying the resolution had not been passed through the chapter’s land
> use planning committee or placed on the agenda at a planning meeting, and
> the midweek special meeting was hard for working chapter members to attend.
They also questioned why the resolution’s sponsor was not in attendance.
> Hale had sent two other members of would-be developers Confluence Partners
> LLC, Ivan Gamble and Deswood Tome, in his place.
Supporters of the proposed development countered that the protesters were
> blocking economic development and 2,000 much-needed jobs.
By 3 p.m., an hour after the meeting started, the chapter officials had
> lost all control and individuals within the two groups were yelling at each
> other loud enough to be heard in the parking lot. Three Navajo Nation
> policemen were trying to separate the dueling parties but were overwhelmed
> by the crowd of about 100.
An officer went to the microphone and announced he was closing the meeting
> for security reasons.
Most of the crowd remained in the senior citizens center, where the
> meeting was held, with some shouting that they feared the meeting would
> continue if they left.
Police eventually escorted the main combatants out of the building and the
> rest of the crowd followed, with chapter officials leaving through a
> different exit.
A chapter employee said Friday she did not know whether the meeting would
> be rescheduled.
Neither Hale nor anyone from Confluence Partners LLC returned a phone call
> Friday.
Bodaway resident Betty Tsinigine said she’s “getting tired” of the
> protesters, most of whom, she said, live off the reservation where they
> have running water and electricity, unlike the people who stayed on the
> Bennett Freeze.
“The true Bodaways want development,” she said.
She also scoffed at the idea that the protesters are trying to protect the
> Confluence, a sacred site in Navajo tradition.
“There’s no such thing as holy land along that cliff,” she said.
Shirley Wilson, another elder who lives above the Confluence, disagreed.
“My grandma and grandpa said there’s something down there that’s alive,
> and you shouldn’t mess with it,” she said. “Our elders wouldn’t go within
> 20 feet of the cliff. The only time you should go near it is to pray.”
Pauline Martin Sanchez agreed with Tsinigine that a lot of those who
> oppose the Escalade live off the reservation, including Sanchez, who makes
> her home in Phoenix.
“We’ve been away because we couldn’t afford to live there,” she said. “We
> didn’t want to be a burden on our chapter.”
Now that the Bennett Freeze has been lifted, she said, people are moving
> back.
“This is our belonging place,” she said. “This is where we come to
> maintain our relationship with the land.”
Sanchez said the Escalade opponents are being unfairly characterized as
> “no-sayers” when in fact they just want to make sure any development is
> appropriate for the environmentally and culturally sensitive area, and that
> the local people are compensated.
“We need to have a public forum where we can go ahead and learn about
> development, so we can be guaranteed we’re getting what is really sensible
> and what is possible to maintain,” she said. “I think a lot of the people
> here haven’t had enough experience to put on the table what they really
> want.”
Sanchez’ sister, Darlene Martin, said she just wants the chapter to treat
> both sides equally.
“When we submitted our resolutions,” she said, referring to the two
> anti-Escalade resolutions passed by the chapter, “they made sure we dotted
> all our i’s and crossed our t’s. Now these people come in, who aren’t even
> from our chapter, and they throw all the procedures out the window!”
Former Coconino County Supervisor Louise Yellowman, who came to Bodaway as
> a bride in the 1960s, found it painful to watch her fellow chapter members
> argue.
“These are all my students,” she said, noting that she used to teach in
> the little elementary school at Gap. “It’s like watching your grandchildren
> fight.”
For her own part, Yellowman would rather not see the area developed by
> Confluence Partners, which, although it includes Navajo partners, was
> created by political consultant Lamar Whitmer of Scottsdale, Ariz.
“One of the seven wonders of the world,” she said, shaking her head. “And
> who’s going to own it? Another white man.”
—
When you post, please change the Subject appropriately, to make reading
> and searching easier. You can use the following abbreviations: TRIP = Trip
> Report; BETA = Canyon Beta; PARTNER = Partner and/or Rides; ETHICS =
> Ethics; TECH = Technical Questions and Tips; BIZ = E Group Business; SALE =
> Stuff for Sale. Please use a Tilde ~ after the abbreviation, so we know
> you are coding for us, such as:
Subject: BIZ~ New Abbreviation List – working?
To change your delivery options, go to the Canyons Egroup page on yahoo:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canyons/
> This will require logging into Yahoo. Click on the "Edit My
> Membership" link, and change your delivery option. Press
> "Save
> Changes".
DAILY DIGEST OPTION will deliver one email
> to you each day summarizing that day’s messages.
WEB ONLY OPTION will not deliver email; you
> must visit the web site to view messages. Groups Links
>
Dan
I’ve been reading up on the project quite a bit over the last two months, and honestly, it seems like there isn’t a ton we can do right now. I feel like our best move is to create a united front with ALL stakeholders, and wage a PR campaign against the project. River runners, guiding companies, outfitters, wilderness coalitions, companies, etc…
At this point, I feel like no one has actually taken the threat legitimately enough to formally oppose it, and put some resources into a campaign. Part of that had to do with the fact the Gap/Bodaway chapter appeared to be opposing the development, and unless they relented, it couldn’t actually happen.
Well guess what? Today, the chapter is rescinding that resolution. So from my research, it seems like there is little stopping the development from the Navajo side. There might be a dispute over the boundary between the navajo res and the national park, but everyone seems to think this is an awfully bad thing for the park to get involved with, and I can’t even figure out definitively if it matters.
So much unknown it seems. But, there is a frightening precedent when you consider the development of western grand canyon, and this development stands to be even more disruptive and damaging than anything we’ve seen on the west end to date.
Today’s posting from the “Save the Confluence” Facebook account.
“Well, people who support us. We want to let you know today the chapter plans to rescind our resolution saying no to the Confluence Partners to develop at the Confluence. We know this is so unfair we have three of our elderlies in the hospital and the Confluence Partners specifially Deswood Tome, AZ lawmaker Albert Hale, Lamar Whitmer and Ivan Gamble care less for our loved ones. And the meeting was planned in the middle of the week. We continue to say no to Mr. Whitmer and his ideas. We hope he is happy that he divided a community and he will live with this forever…”
As usual, I’m having a difficult time understanding exactly what is happening. But it seems this much is clear – the Gap/Bodaway chapter is rescinding their previous resolution opposing development. As best I can gather, this means the development partners have met the Dec. 31st deadline to gain unanimous support from all the chapters and community.
– Dan
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Anton Solovyev wrote:
But what does this mean for the project? Does anyone beside Navajo Nation > have any input into this? How to get involved to protect the place?
On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 6:40 AM, RAM wrote:
> WOW!
Navajo Times
By Cindy Yurth
Tséyi’ Bureau
GAP, Ariz., October 1, 2012
Navajo Nation Police closed down a special Bodaway/Gap Chapter meeting
Wednesday afternoon after it degenerated into heated arguments between
proponents and opponents of a proposed resort and tramway at the
Confluenceof the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers.
According to the agenda, the meeting was called to consider a resolution
proposed by former tribal president Albert Hale, an Arizona state
representative and partner in the firm that wants to build the Grand Canyon
Escalade. Copies of the resolution were not available at the meeting, but
the agenda said it would rescind two previous chapter resolutions opposing
the $180 million resort, and withdraw up to 420 acres for its construction.
Several chapter members who oppose the development objected to the agenda
item, saying the resolution had not been passed through the chapter’s land
use planning committee or placed on the agenda at a planning meeting, and
the midweek special meeting was hard for working chapter members to attend.
They also questioned why the resolution’s sponsor was not in attendance.
Hale had sent two other members of would-be developers Confluence Partners
LLC, Ivan Gamble and Deswood Tome, in his place.
Supporters of the proposed development countered that the protesters were
blocking economic development and 2,000 much-needed jobs.
By 3 p.m., an hour after the meeting started, the chapter officials had
lost all control and individuals within the two groups were yelling at each
other loud enough to be heard in the parking lot. Three Navajo Nation
policemen were trying to separate the dueling parties but were overwhelmed
by the crowd of about 100.
An officer went to the microphone and announced he was closing the meeting
for security reasons.
Most of the crowd remained in the senior citizens center, where the
meeting was held, with some shouting that they feared the meeting would
continue if they left.
Police eventually escorted the main combatants out of the building and the
rest of the crowd followed, with chapter officials leaving through a
different exit.
A chapter employee said Friday she did not know whether the meeting would
be rescheduled.
Neither Hale nor anyone from Confluence Partners LLC returned a phone call
Friday.
Bodaway resident Betty Tsinigine said she’s “getting tired” of the
protesters, most of whom, she said, live off the reservation where they
have running water and electricity, unlike the people who stayed on the
Bennett Freeze.
“The true Bodaways want development,” she said.
She also scoffed at the idea that the protesters are trying to protect the
Confluence, a sacred site in Navajo tradition.
“There’s no such thing as holy land along that cliff,” she said.
Shirley Wilson, another elder who lives above the Confluence, disagreed.
“My grandma and grandpa said there’s something down there that’s alive,
and you shouldn’t mess with it,” she said. “Our elders wouldn’t go within
20 feet of the cliff. The only time you should go near it is to pray.”
Pauline Martin Sanchez agreed with Tsinigine that a lot of those who
oppose the Escalade live off the reservation, including Sanchez, who makes
her home in Phoenix.
“We’ve been away because we couldn’t afford to live there,” she said. “We
didn’t want to be a burden on our chapter.”
Now that the Bennett Freeze has been lifted, she said, people are moving
back.
“This is our belonging place,” she said. “This is where we come to
maintain our relationship with the land.”
Sanchez said the Escalade opponents are being unfairly characterized as
“no-sayers” when in fact they just want to make sure any development is
appropriate for the environmentally and culturally sensitive area, and that
the local people are compensated.
“We need to have a public forum where we can go ahead and learn about
development, so we can be guaranteed we’re getting what is really sensible
and what is possible to maintain,” she said. “I think a lot of the people
here haven’t had enough experience to put on the table what they really
want.”
Sanchez’ sister, Darlene Martin, said she just wants the chapter to treat
both sides equally.
“When we submitted our resolutions,” she said, referring to the two
anti-Escalade resolutions passed by the chapter, “they made sure we dotted
all our i’s and crossed our t’s. Now these people come in, who aren’t even
from our chapter, and they throw all the procedures out the window!”
Former Coconino County Supervisor Louise Yellowman, who came to Bodaway as
a bride in the 1960s, found it painful to watch her fellow chapter members
argue.
“These are all my students,” she said, noting that she used to teach in
the little elementary school at Gap. “It’s like watching your grandchildren
fight.”
For her own part, Yellowman would rather not see the area developed by
Confluence Partners, which, although it includes Navajo partners, was
created by political consultant Lamar Whitmer of Scottsdale, Ariz.
“One of the seven wonders of the world,” she said, shaking her head. “And
who’s going to own it? Another white man.”
—
When you post, please change the Subject appropriately, to make reading
and searching easier. You can use the following abbreviations: TRIP = Trip
Report; BETA = Canyon Beta; PARTNER = Partner and/or Rides; ETHICS =
Ethics; TECH = Technical Questions and Tips; BIZ = E Group Business; SALE =
Stuff for Sale. Please use a Tilde ~ after the abbreviation, so we know
you are coding for us, such as:
Subject: BIZ~ New Abbreviation List – working?
To change your delivery options, go to the Canyons Egroup page on yahoo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canyons/
> This will require logging into Yahoo. Click on the "Edit My
Membership" link, and change your delivery option. Press
"Save
Changes".
DAILY DIGEST OPTION will deliver one email
to you each day summarizing that day’s messages.
WEB ONLY OPTION will not deliver email; you
must visit the web site to view messages. Groups Links
> >
Anton Solovyev
But what does this mean for the project? Does anyone beside Navajo Nation have any input into this? How to get involved to protect the place?
On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 6:40 AM, RAM adkramoo@aol.com> wrote:
> WOW!
Navajo Times
By Cindy Yurth
Tséyi’ Bureau
GAP, Ariz., October 1, 2012
Navajo Nation Police closed down a special Bodaway/Gap Chapter meeting > Wednesday afternoon after it degenerated into heated arguments between > proponents and opponents of a proposed resort and tramway at the > Confluenceof the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers.
According to the agenda, the meeting was called to consider a resolution > proposed by former tribal president Albert Hale, an Arizona state > representative and partner in the firm that wants to build the Grand Canyon > Escalade. Copies of the resolution were not available at the meeting, but > the agenda said it would rescind two previous chapter resolutions opposing > the $180 million resort, and withdraw up to 420 acres for its construction.
Several chapter members who oppose the development objected to the agenda > item, saying the resolution had not been passed through the chapter’s land > use planning committee or placed on the agenda at a planning meeting, and > the midweek special meeting was hard for working chapter members to attend.
They also questioned why the resolution’s sponsor was not in attendance. > Hale had sent two other members of would-be developers Confluence Partners > LLC, Ivan Gamble and Deswood Tome, in his place.
Supporters of the proposed development countered that the protesters were > blocking economic development and 2,000 much-needed jobs.
By 3 p.m., an hour after the meeting started, the chapter officials had > lost all control and individuals within the two groups were yelling at each > other loud enough to be heard in the parking lot. Three Navajo Nation > policemen were trying to separate the dueling parties but were overwhelmed > by the crowd of about 100.
An officer went to the microphone and announced he was closing the meeting > for security reasons.
Most of the crowd remained in the senior citizens center, where the > meeting was held, with some shouting that they feared the meeting would > continue if they left.
Police eventually escorted the main combatants out of the building and the > rest of the crowd followed, with chapter officials leaving through a > different exit.
A chapter employee said Friday she did not know whether the meeting would > be rescheduled.
Neither Hale nor anyone from Confluence Partners LLC returned a phone call > Friday.
Bodaway resident Betty Tsinigine said she’s “getting tired” of the > protesters, most of whom, she said, live off the reservation where they > have running water and electricity, unlike the people who stayed on the > Bennett Freeze.
“The true Bodaways want development,” she said.
She also scoffed at the idea that the protesters are trying to protect the > Confluence, a sacred site in Navajo tradition.
“There’s no such thing as holy land along that cliff,” she said.
Shirley Wilson, another elder who lives above the Confluence, disagreed.
“My grandma and grandpa said there’s something down there that’s alive, > and you shouldn’t mess with it,” she said. “Our elders wouldn’t go within > 20 feet of the cliff. The only time you should go near it is to pray.”
Pauline Martin Sanchez agreed with Tsinigine that a lot of those who > oppose the Escalade live off the reservation, including Sanchez, who makes > her home in Phoenix.
“We’ve been away because we couldn’t afford to live there,” she said. “We > didn’t want to be a burden on our chapter.”
Now that the Bennett Freeze has been lifted, she said, people are moving > back.
“This is our belonging place,” she said. “This is where we come to > maintain our relationship with the land.”
Sanchez said the Escalade opponents are being unfairly characterized as > “no-sayers” when in fact they just want to make sure any development is > appropriate for the environmentally and culturally sensitive area, and that > the local people are compensated.
“We need to have a public forum where we can go ahead and learn about > development, so we can be guaranteed we’re getting what is really sensible > and what is possible to maintain,” she said. “I think a lot of the people > here haven’t had enough experience to put on the table what they really > want.”
Sanchez’ sister, Darlene Martin, said she just wants the chapter to treat > both sides equally.
“When we submitted our resolutions,” she said, referring to the two > anti-Escalade resolutions passed by the chapter, “they made sure we dotted > all our i’s and crossed our t’s. Now these people come in, who aren’t even > from our chapter, and they throw all the procedures out the window!”
Former Coconino County Supervisor Louise Yellowman, who came to Bodaway as > a bride in the 1960s, found it painful to watch her fellow chapter members > argue.
“These are all my students,” she said, noting that she used to teach in > the little elementary school at Gap. “It’s like watching your grandchildren > fight.”
For her own part, Yellowman would rather not see the area developed by > Confluence Partners, which, although it includes Navajo partners, was > created by political consultant Lamar Whitmer of Scottsdale, Ariz.
“One of the seven wonders of the world,” she said, shaking her head. “And > who’s going to own it? Another white man.”
—
When you post, please change the Subject appropriately, to make reading > and searching easier. You can use the following abbreviations: TRIP = Trip > Report; BETA = Canyon Beta; PARTNER = Partner and/or Rides; ETHICS = > Ethics; TECH = Technical Questions and Tips; BIZ = E Group Business; SALE = > Stuff for Sale. Please use a Tilde ~ after the abbreviation, so we know > you are coding for us, such as:
Subject: BIZ~ New Abbreviation List – working?
To change your delivery options, go to the Canyons Egroup page on yahoo: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canyons/
> This will require logging into Yahoo. Click on the "Edit My > Membership" link, and change your delivery option. Press > "Save > Changes".
DAILY DIGEST OPTION will deliver one email > to you each day summarizing that day’s messages.
WEB ONLY OPTION will not deliver email; you > must visit the web site to view messages. Groups Links