2 nominated to gov't development panel
By Marley Shebala
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, Dec. 1, 2011
The nominees are both attorneys - Heather Anderson, an attorney in the president's office, and Martin Avery, staff attorney in Ramah District Court.
If confirmed by the Council, Anderson and Avery would serve two-year terms on the 12-member commission.
The commission currently has six members and the confirmation of Anderson and Avery would enable it to meet a quorum of seven members.
The public comment period on the two nominations, which were posted on the Council's Web site (www.navajonationcouncil.org/legislation.html), ended Tuesday. The bills were posted Nov. 23 on the Web site.
But as the nominations move forward, people still have the opportunity to submit written comments.
Council Delegate Elmer P. Begay is the sponsor of the legislation to confirm Anderson and Avery.
The commission had seven members, the bare minimum to make a quorum, but lost one member when Robert Yazzie, who represented the Western Agency, was removed Nov. 22 for ethics violations in his position as vice president of To Nanees Dizi Chapter.
President Ben Shelly nominated Anderson to represent the executive branch.
Chief Justice Herb Yazzie nominated Avery to represent the judicial branch.
Judicial branch public information officer Karen Francis stated in a Wednesday press release that Avery has worked as the Pueblo of Laguna's public defender, Navajo Housing Authority general counsel, Navajo Nation Washington Office executive director, Navajo Nation Office of the Chief Prosecutor staff attorney, McKinley County assistant district attorney, and Navajo Nation Department of Justice staff attorney and court advocate.
Avery has been a member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association since 1995 and the New Mexico Bar Association since 1993.
He has served on the DNA-People's Legal Services board and currently sits on the board for the Indian law Resource Center in Helena, Mont.
Avery earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Fort Lewis College and a juris doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Francis said the Commission on Government Development Act mandates that the commission consist of 12 members confirmed by and serving at the pleasure of the Council.
Commissioners represent each of the three branches of government, each of the reservation's five agencies, Diné College, Commission on Navajo Women, and the Education Committee, which is now the Health, Education and Human Services Committee, she stated.
Francis said the Government Development Office director also nominates one commissioner.
She noted that the commission is mandated to develop recommendations and proposals for alternative forms of chapter government.
The commission is to also provide short and long range comprehensive planning, evaluations and developmental projects that enhance the tribal government at both the central and local levels, she explained.
Francis stated that commissioners also recommend laws, rules and regulations to develop a comprehensive system of government for the Navajo people.
She referenced the Navajo Government Development Act at Title 2, sections 972 and 973.
Current members of the commission are Chairperson Bessie Tsosie, medicine man Sam Begay, Mae Horseman, Jerry Frank, Robert C. Begay, and Margie R.S. Begay.
If Anderson and Avery are confirmed, that will leave vacancies that need to be filled by the Western and Fort Defiance agencies, Diné College, and the Council's Health, Education and Human Services Committee.