And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Freeze residents to get electricity and water! http://www.navajohopiobserver.com/news3.htm Story and photos by S.J. Wilson The Observer There are two things you never want to see made-the law and sausage. Both processes are pretty ugly. Britt Clapham of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. quoted this time-tested adage to a gathering of Bennett Freeze residents on Sunday, June 13. Gathered at the home of Frank Bilagody, Clapham, Roman Bitsuie, executive director of the Navajo Hopi Land Commission, Councilman Raymond Maxx and members of the Bennett Freeze Residents group sought answers to hard questions. Roman Bitsui explains the Navajo Rehabilitation Trust Fund to residents. Clapham and Bitsuie traveled from Window Rock on June 13 to listen to the concerns of Bennett Freeze residents and to view the terrible conditions in which residents live. Clearly a compassionate man, Clapham was touched by the stories and the homes he viewed. Describing the legal history of the land dispute which eventually birthed the Bennett Freeze, Clapham admitted that the reality of such legislation is that people's lives have been irreparably affected. But Bitsui and Clapham did bring good news, news which caused Rita Bilagody, the president of the grass-roots organization, to jump up and down with excitement. The Hopi Tribe has agreed to allow water and electric lines from Moenavi up across the Salt Trail Corridor. Many of the people who sat under the shade house have waited for 33 years for these services, and they will have them soon. Some residents, however, found it hard to be excited about the coming electricity and water in that without a homesite lease, one had little to look forward to. One resident described her frustration as a catch-22. Without a homesite lease one cannot benefit from the utilities. When one seeks a homesite lease, he or she is told that they cannot be given one because the land in question is "frozen." Clapham and Bitsui promised residents to give their personal attention to this situation, as well as to other concerns. Another tough situation involves individuals who have lost their homes through fire. Permission to rebuild on existing foundations has been denied to several individuals. Clapham viewed one burnout site and visited with a man who now lives in a tiny camper after losing his home to fire. <<end excerpt Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
