Bill to remove Johnny Naize as Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council tabled By Alastair Lee Bitsóí Navajo Times Even though Council delegate Alton Joe Shepherd (Jeddito/Cornfields/Ganado/Kinlichee/Steamboat) got the necessary motion and second motion for the Naabikiyati Committee to act on a bill to remove Johnny Naize as Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, members instead voted to table the removal bill by a vote of 10-7 Thursday night at the Navajo Nation Council Chamber. There wasnt much debate on tabling the measure. It was a companion bill, which would have named a new Speaker, that prompted Naizes supporters to question the legislation, saying it essentially undermines his due process rights. The Speaker is facing 11 counts of conspiracy and bribery charges for allegedly misusing tribal discretionary funds in excess of about $32,000. Leave my brother alone! shouted Council Delegate Katherine Benally (Dennehotso/Chinchilbeto/Kayenta) when she was given time by Speaker Pro Tem Mel Begay (Coyote Canyon/Mexican Springs/Naschitti/Tohatchi, Bahastlaa) to speak on the bill to replace Naize as Speaker. She added that the 18 public comments that support Naizes removal represent a minority of the entire Navajo public. Only Counselor Chapter is against removing Naize, according to the bills public comments. Dont ask him to step down, Benally said, before adding in Navajo, You dont play with ke. Each time committee members cast tabling votes on the two bills, Benally wasnt shy to say Move forward and kill it! Adding to Benallys thoughts was Council Delegate Kenneth Maryboy (Mexican Water/Tolikan/Teesnospos/Aneth/Red Mesa), who said that the committee shouldnt unseat a good man because of social and media pressure. Maryboy further quipped, Who are we to judge somebody? Shepherd sponsored the bills in response to Naizes charges, which he says jeopardize the image of Council and the role of the speakership. I chose to do this because its the best thing to do, Shepherd said, adding that he, Naize and the rest of Council need to remain in good standing with the law and the oaths they each swore. For Council Delegate Lorenzo Curley (Klagetoh/Wide Ruins/Houck/Lupton/Nahata Dziil), the whole matter is a ball of wax. If I was Speaker, I would step aside, Curley added. Curley cited various reasons for Naize to step down, including financial because the Office of the Speaker controls the budget for the Legislative Branch. If he doesnt voluntarily do what we ask him to do, then hes gonna force me to do what I dont want to do, Curley said. Naize was not present in the Council Chamber during the entire deliberation on the bills. Despite being tabled, the two bills still move to the full Council for consideration. The bills are expected to be on the agenda of the Councils Jan. 27-31 Winter Session.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 04:33:57 +0000