Last February, I asked “Who’s the Boss in Utah’s Bears Ears Country?” The following six-part essay is an attempt to partially answer that question after a year of watching events unfold there.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL 6-PART ESSAY.
From Part One…
San Juan County, Utah, comprises a splendor of canyons, cliffs and castles of sandstone. Anyone who has made a random discovery of 1,000-year-old artifacts of human habitation, trekked to the top of a Canyonlands National Park overlook at sunset or spent a deathly silent, crystalline night starring at the canopy of Creation can attest to its unearthly beauty.
However, representative government in the county, which will play a critical role in preserving that landscape, seems intractably bogged down by ideological dissembling, undemocratic “outside influences” accountable to no county voter, opaque tribal politics, lawyers and judges making public policy and environmental profiteers...
Part 1: Rule by resolution. Kenneth Maryboy and Willie Grayeyes took their oaths of office as commissioners a little under a year ago after what was described as a “historic” election. They immediately staked their claim to power by choosing to govern primarily through resolutions written by their longtime private attorney and approved without advice or informed consent of virtually anyone in the county.
Part 2: The power of environmental nonprofits. It’s hard to overstate the influence of Utah Diné Bikéyah, the tribal-affiliated nonprofit founded and run by Grayeyes and Maryboy until they took office. They’ve succeeded as leaders in attempts to create Bears Ears National Monument in a way that took results of a presidential election and proclamation to derail.
Part 3: Open-records stonewalling. Numerous requests for public records filed under GRAMA were generated in 2019 due in part to the climate created by the new commissioners’ evasiveness and open hostility toward many constituents and those constituents’ forceful, if sometimes rowdy, responses. The county (Grayeyes and Maryboy) was ordered to produce records in three cases.
Part 4: Gutter rhetoric. Unfiltered comments of public figures were part and parcel of 2019’s hard-edged politicking in San Juan County. It was on full display in the weeks and months leading up to November’s special election that asked voters whether they wanted to form a committee to study possible changes in county government.
Part 5: A defeat for good government. A full-court press of a campaign mounted by the San Juan County Democratic Party, its allies and prominent Navajo Nation politicians defeated an ostensibly non-partisan effort to change the way the county works. Results of November’s special election hinged on rhetoric of retribution and the politics of payback. An alternative story line — charting a path toward better democracy — was a non-starter.
Part 6: But can they fix the roads? To a certain extent the new commissioners’ relationship with officials of the Navajo Nation will determine their success in office. They’ve played an insider’s game of reservation politics for a long time, but so far they’ve been unable to leverage that experience into discernible benefits for county residents.
paying tax on can you Deduct Gambling expenses winnings canada, download uk bingo game and casino online real money canada,
or new poker sites uk 2021
Casino ohne wartezeit bitcoin 25 euro kreditkarte
kasyno Automaty na telefon Polska smartfon blik
casino mit ein und auszahlung online casino ab
25 euro eps (Marco)
Truly when someone doesn’t know then its up to other people that they will
help, so here it happens.
cosa scommettere su italia inghilterra
Feel free to surf to my site; siti scommesse sicuri
This info is invaluable. How can I find out more?
my web-site 1P-LSD
all united statesn bingo, top 20 online casinos uk no deposit and $5 deposit
online ron white rivers casino – Winona – canada, or
gambling operating licence uk
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your website
in internet explorer, may check this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a big portion of other people
will pass over your magnificent writing due to this problem.
crypto gambling sites uk, can you play poker online united kingdom and legal gambling in united states, or
bingo how to play uk
My blog – do blackjack odds change with number of players
(Paul)
Navigate cryptocurrency markets confidently while selling bitcoin in india.
That is very attention-grabbing, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to in the hunt
for extra of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my
social networks
australian pokie machine cheats, free poker chips no deposit uk and online poker united statesn express, or online casino from united states
Here is my blog; aams italy gambling – Gemma,
gry show na żywo 10 zł bonus Bez depozytu 2026 kasyno Online
sfruttare bonus benvenuto Scommesse sportiva
beste casinos mit ohne wartezeit
my homepage … Megaways Slots App Um Echtes Geld
Discover practical tips for selling bitcoin in india
with confidence and reliable payment options.
new casinos biloxi ms united states online casino free
spins, casino paypal deposit usa and pokies real money united states, or
no deposit bonus bingo united states
can you play online pokies in united states for real money, 100 slots bonus
uk and online slots australia paypal, or online apuestas deportivas casino barcelona [Matt]
real money canada paysafe
online Casino 20 euro Ethereum 1 euro einzahlung klarna
ausaa ca casino, play free australian poker machines and poker
online with friends canada, or no deposit bonus australian online casino no minimum deposit – Erna,
trading tutti i siti scommesse sportive
online pokies australia 5 dollar deposit, canadian online casino no deposit bonus
codes and online wind creek casino winners 2021 australia free spins
sign up, or bet365 play united statesn roulette online uk
polskie Kasyno Depozyt 40 zł online wpłata
I read this article fully concerning the comparison of most recent and
preceding technologies, it’s remarkable article.
legit online casinos usa, united kingdom no deposit signup bonus casino and
does united states have casinos, or bet365
play united statesn roulette online uk
Also visit my web-site; rtg new game free spins (Curt)
scommesse italia sport e emozioni italia quote
top online gambling sites uk, in casino what is the smartest
bet in roulette (Collette) usa
and does united states have casinos, or cahuilla casino ausaa california
I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your information. This
article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your site and keep checking for new details
about once per week. I opted in for your Feed
too.
scommesse sportive pronostici Scommesse Vincenti gratis
united statesn style roulette, usa Flamingo Casino Kimberley Accommodation club mobile and what poker sites are legal in australia,
or online casino canada free bonus
automaty do gier nazwy
Visit my web page: cashback kasyno visa
I am in fact thankful to the holder of this web page who has shared this wonderful piece of writing at at
this place.
zweiteinzahlungsbonus casino konto eröffnen deutschland
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you should write more on this subject, it may
not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t speak about such issues.
To the next! Best wishes!!
Very shortly this web page will be famous amid all blog
visitors, due to it’s nice articles
promocje kasyna w łódzku
My web blog :: kasyno online z polskim wsparciem
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post. Thanks for providing this info.
You really make it appear so easy together with your presentation but
I to find this topic to be really one thing which I believe I’d never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely vast for me. I am looking ahead in your subsequent post, I will try to
get the grasp of it!
kasyno kalisz bonus bez depozytu (Lowell) online visa
Live casino bonus ohne einzahlung 4 euro flexepin
I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I am not
sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about
my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!
Very good blog post. I definitely love this website. Thanks!
software Scommesse Rugby
bankroll wimbledon scommesse
tommaso de giacomo bwin scommesse (adkangroup.com)
best online pokie canada, is online gambling allowed in australia
and new gambling sites australia, or olg online casino australia
Here is my site … Coin Tycoon Free Spins
scommesse italia belgio [Annett] rabona
I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also visit this blog on regular basis
to take updated from most recent reports.
free $100 casino chip 2021 uk, open casino in australia and remote gambling license usa, or gambling restrictions uk
Feel free to visit my homepage what are the odds on the game roulette –
Tamie –