Getting ripped, learning to play the piano, or finding the motivation to work on a home improvement project are annually recurring daydreams at this time of year.

But with the pandemic, some of those may have already been checked off the list.

If that’s the case, then what can Gallup residents look to accomplish in 2021?

The Gallup Sun asked some prominent people in our community, including the mayor, the community food pantry director, and the Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District director about their wish lists for the new year.

 

Louis Bonaguidi, mayor of Gallup

Aside from his personal resolution to eat less chocolate, Mayor Louis Bonaguidi had five items for the...

ALBUQUERQUE — On Jan. 1, the New Mexico Environmental Public Health Network became a program of New Mexico Voices for Children. The NMEPHN, which was formed in 2018, is committed to advocating for environmental policies that positively impact public health. Its Advisory Board is comprised of medical, environmental, and public health professionals from throughout the state, including retired pediatrician Lance Chilton, MD, Anna Rondon of the New Mexico Social Justice Equity Institute, and Sharon Finarelli of the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils.

“We are very excited to be welcoming NMEPHN into the NM Voices family,” James Jimenez, executive director of the child advocacy...

CHINLE, Ariz. — The Navajo Police Department started the new year by welcoming eight newly-commissioned officers from the Navajo Police Training Academy on Jan 2, during a graduation ceremony in Chinle, Ariz.

The new officers took their oath of office before Honorable Judge William Platero after a pinning ceremony Saturday afternoon. The department’s new officers are Aaron C. Brown, Klyton Belone, Ryan Draper, Vanecia Valenzuela, Arrow Dosela, Henry Antonio, Jr., Nathaniel K. Watson, and Jasmine Peaches.

Following their training at the academy, the officers will be assigned a field training officer who will provide guidance and further training in the field during their first...

Goal of Valinda Shirley to strengthen communication with Navajo people

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer announced the appointment of Valinda Shirley as the new Executive Director for the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 4. She replaces Oliver B. Whaley, who resigned in December to spend more time with his family.

Shirley resides in Rock Point, Ariz. with her husband and children. She is Táchiinii and born for Tł’ízÍ łání. Her maternal grandfather is Bit’ahnii and her paternal grandfather is Ta’neeszhahnii. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Senior Remedial Project Manager for the...