More False Claims by Grand Canyon Escalade Save the Confluence stands firm against predatory developers TUBA CITY, Arizona – This week’s Navajo Times reports that the “Grand Canyon Escalade project is all but guaranteed.” The story presents yet another false claim made by self-serving sources. “We’ve been here before,” said Renae Yellowhorse from Save the Confluence. “People are fed up with these predatory developers. They promise the moon, but steal all the money. Albert Hale and his Escalade cronies cannot be trusted.” Outgoing Council Delegate Duane Tsinigine is reported to be introducing legislation that would prohibit local businesses within a “20-mile long and five-mile wide corridor that stretches from the Escalade Site back to U.S. Highway 89 near Hidden Springs Church.” It would restrict development along U.S. 89 south to its intersection with Highway 160 and the junction to Tuba City. To protect Escalade profits, the bill would waive the three-year renewal requirement for conditional use permits. In case of bankruptcy, Escalade partners would be able to sue the Navajo Nation under state and federal law to recover their losses. Grazing lease holders have not granted access to the proposed development, nor have families who have lived in the area for many generations. “This is all being done without consent from families who are directly impacted. Escalade partners did not go through proper procedures,” said Dee Wilson-Aguirre who grew up with her family less than three miles from the Confluence. Outgoing Delegate Duane Tsinigine was noticeably absent during the most recent fall session of the Navajo Nation Council. “It’s wrong for him to try to pass this bill in his last days before leaving office,” Wilson-Aguirre added. “He wasn’t re-elected, and he doesn’t represent our interests.” Current claims that the Navajo Nation is poised to approve the Escalade development are similar to those made earlier this year. Weeks before this summer’s session of the Navajo Nation Council, reporter Katherine Locke wrote: “R. Lamar Whitmer, managing partner of Confluence Partners, said over the last year and a half he believes opposition to the project from Navajos has lessened….‘Our documents are in the legislative process with the Nation and were hopeful to have the Council act on it in June or July.’” But the legislation was never introduced. Reporter Cindy Yurth’s front page story in the July 17th edition of the Navajo Times began: “Contrary to information on the developers’ website, a bill committing the Navajo Nation to partner on a resort on the rim of the Little Colorado Canyon has notreached the speaker’s office and will not be on the Navajo Nation Council’s summer session agenda.” On the back page of the same section of the paper, where Yurth’s story appeared, was a full-page ad. Its headline read, “Why are profiteers still pushing Grand Canyon Escalade?” It also asked, “Where is the solid public support President Shelly said he needed before December 31, 2012?” “Hale,Whitmer, and Tome say things to fool us into seeing them as saviors,” concluded Renae Yellowhorse. “Escalade will be defeated because people now know they’re lying.” ### For more information, please visit savetheconfluence or editor@savetheconfluence Save the Confluence!
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 02:09:14 +0000
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