Leupp Chapter officials charged by C-Aquifer for Diné
with making 'secret' Canyon Diablo water deal
LEUPP-Grassroots community member Calvin
Johnson, president of C-Aquifer for Diné, charges
Leupp Chapter officials Thomas Cody, Lorraine Noline
and Rosita Kelly for misconduct and allowing approval
of Chapter resolutions contrary to the Title II Chapter
governance law.
The C-Aquifer for Diné have been
vocal for the past two years about not being informed
about the actions taken on the local water plans, being
left out of important meetings regarding the water issues,
and they have received no response on their request
for copies of minutes and resolutions and other information
pertaining to their issue.
At the Aug. 17 Chapter meeting the inevitable
came to a head with accusations against Johnson over
a Chapter resolution on "Water Well Utilization
in Canyon Diablo." Due to alleged lack of informing
the Canyon Diablo community, Johnson motioned to table
the resolution so community members could be educated
first. However, the resolution passed. Johnson requested
a copy of the resolution, but was informed by Cody-in
the presence of Noline and Kelly-that the resolution
was "not drafted" yet.
Johnson protested by saying, "Isn't
it illegal to approve a resolution without it being
written up?" Cody replied: "No, all you have
to do is add the header and put in the rest of the info."
According to the Title II, section §
4028. E. all resolutions approved by the Chapter shall
be set forth in writing and certified by the Chapter
officials. Most Chapters of the Navajo Nation normally
require their resolutions to be written and reviewed
at the planning meeting prior to Chapter approval.
Reaction by the Leupp Chapter vice-president
and Chapter secretary came with accusations toward Johnson
of spreading rumors about Chapter officials and giving
out misinformation about Chapter issues.
Johnson stated, "I'm only looking
out for the best interest of the people. Speaking of
misinformation, the Chapter conducts business without
the peoples input or participation, which is unprofessional
and demeaning to the people."
Thomas Cody stated that he had only
four Chapter members opposing all the Chapter plans
and asked Johnson if he wanted his job as Chapter president.
Johnson said, "No, I don't want your job, but I
will continue to voice concerns about issues important
to the people, such as the east Canyon Diablo water
issue."
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