From the Office of the Governor (2014)

Isleta Pueblo News

Volume 9 Issue 4

April 2014

From the Office of the Governor

SIPI Accreditation

March 12, 2014 - Albuquerque, New Mexico

– Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary

of Indian Affairs announced that the

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

(SIPI), a Bureau of Indian Education

operated post-secondary institution of

higher learning, has been awarded “initial

accreditation” status by the Higher Learning

Commission of North Central Association

of Colleges and Schools. Under Dr. Sherry

Allison’s leadership SIPI has achieved

accreditation, which holds the promise of

more American Indians and Alaska Natives

entering competitive job training programs

in Associate of Applied Science, Associate of

Arts and Associate of Science degrees. This

accreditation means that SIPI will be able

to continue to educate a new generation of

students to meet the needs of their Indian

communities and Nation.

Established in 1971 at the request of the

19 Pueblo tribes in New Mexico and other

federally recognized tribes to help train

American Indians and Alaska Natives for

employment, the Southwestern Indian

Polytechnic Institute is a National Indian

Community College and Land Grant

Institution with a national, tribally

appointed board of regents.

Pueblo of Isleta Internship

Program

The Pueblo of Isleta has never had a

functional Intern Program and we are

dismayed every summer when our college

students return home for the summer

looking for such a program or at the

least some summer employment.

In

our experience, it takes an exorbitant

amount of time to get the paperwork and

background investigation accomplished

before a candidate can be hired. Therefore,

without prior preparation, it would already

be time for them to return to school. The

result is that they lose out on some gainful

employment and some valuable work

experience in their field of study. This year

we want to be ahead of schedule.

Letters have gone out announcing our

Summer Intern Pilot Program. This is a

Pilot Program this year because we want to

develop a program based on the needs and

interest by our scholarship recipients. We

also want to learn from this experience and

develop the program to meet the needs of

our college students for next year, and to

work with those colleges to establish a more

formal program that will allow them credit

for the work they perform here during

the summer. This experience will also

provide our Governor and Tribal Council

officials with some valuable feedback on our

scholarship recipients.

For further information, please contact

March 26, 2014 – Isleta Diversion Dam

YOU CAN SEE THE RIVER WITHOUT THE TREES! The Island Removal Project

which started on December 30, 2013 is to be complete by March 26, 2014. The project will

help improve the ecosystem of the river while presenting a pleasing view of our river.

Ms. Myra Garro, Human Resources

Representative with the POI Human

Resources Office at (505) 869-9792, or

poi07001@isletapueblo.com.

Isleta Pueblo Irrigation Ditch

Cleaning

The Mayordomos for 2014 have announced

the dates for cleaning Pueblo irrigation

systems.

Head Mayordomo Bernard Lujan and

Assistant Gary Trujillo have scheduled

March 22, 2014 for cleaning of the Acequia

Madre Lateral.

Head Mayordomo Brian Jiron and Assistant

Kevin Schroeder have scheduled March 29,

2014 for cleaning of the Cacique Lateral.

Head Mayordomo Leonard Abeita and

Assistant Leon Chewiwi have scheduled

April 5, 2014 for cleaning of the Chical

Lateral.

March 25, 2014 – Isleta Hotel and

Casino

The Pueblo of Isleta Law Enforcement

Services hosted a multi-state BIA Indian

Highway Safety Program Grant Writing/

Refresher Training on March 25-26,

2014 held at the Isleta Hotel and Casino.

Section 402 Legislation/NHTSA funds are

used to support countermeasure strategies

and projects identified in Tribal Highway

Safety Plans.

This includes resources

to initiate new projects and catalyze or

accelerate existing projects to address

major safety issues with well-planned

strategies, and leverage additional State

and local investment in highway safety.

The training was well attended by 41 Tribal

Law Enforcement administrators and grant

writers for throughout the southwest. Lt.

Governor Antonio Chewiwi made opening

remarks and welcomed all participants.

Pueblo of Isleta Probate Ordinance

In an effort to solicit additional public

comments on the Draft Isleta Probate

Ordinances, the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal

Council has extended the public comment

period to April 1, 2014. It is essential that

you have the opportunity to provide your

input on these draft ordinances which will

govern future decisions which will affect us

all. Please address your written comments

to:

Tribal Council Office

P.O. Box 1270

Isleta, New Mexico 87022

( Continued next page )

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 2

April 2014

(Office of the Governor, Continued)

or you may hand deliver your written

comments to the Tribal Council Office

located at the new Tribal Service Complex

during regular business hours. Copies of the

Draft Probate Ordinances are available at

the Tribal Council Office and the Governor’s

Office. Thank you for your participation.

BIA-Secretarial Election

On March 24, 2014, the Isleta Tribal

Council sent out a bulk mailing informing

the Isleta Community that the Pueblo of

Isleta proposes to request the U.S. Bureau

of Indian Affairs to hold a Secretarial

Election to amend the Pueblo of Isleta

Tribal Constitution. The bulk mail contains

nine (9) proposed amendments and invites

the community to a community meeting

to be held April 26, 2014 (Isleta Casino &

Resort Ballroom, 10am to noon) to discuss

the proposed amendments. BIA officials

will be present at this meeting to answer

any questions from the community on how

BIA will conduct this Secretarial Election,

including questions on who is eligible to vote

and when eligible voters must register to

vote. BIA preliminary proposes to conduct

the Secretarial Election on these proposed

amendments sometime during the week of

September 15, 2014. To request copies of

the proposed amendments, please contact

the Tribal Council office.

Community Meeting

Due to the influx of community activities

during the months of March and April,

I am going to schedule our Community

Meeting for the second quarter. We have

an extensive agenda for our meeting and

I am looking forward to presenting this

information to the community. I will be

announcing the date of the meeting in our

next new letter.

Message from the Governor:

With the coming of spring let us all give

thanks to our mother earth for all her many

blessing we share in our lives and let us

enjoy and appreciate all the beauty of the

first signs of spring. I pray that you all

have a bountiful season. Thank you again

for your continued support and confidence

in allowing me to serve as your Governor.

Isleta Pueblo News

Editor:

Ulysses Abeita

Asst. Editor:

Beverly Piro

Published By:

Valencia Express

Jury Service at Isleta Tribal Court

This month’s article is to inform the

community of the recent Jury Summons the

Court has sent out to tribal members. Since

the Pueblo of Isleta hired a Prosecutor and

Public Defender Attorney, there has been an

increase in the requests for jury trials. The

right to a jury trial is a right afforded to all

Isleta tribal members in Art. III Section 1(f)

of the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Constitution,

and to all Indians by the Indian Civil Rights

Act of 1968 (ICRA) §1302.

In order to uphold defendants’ rights to

a jury trial the Court must ensure that a

panel is available for jury selection when

the request is made. Therefore, the Court

will summons or notify tribal members that

they must report for jury duty. A summons

is considered a Court Order, which if not

obeyed allows the Court to take action by

holding individuals in contempt, including

issuing bench warrants and imposing

fines.

Tribal members are randomly selected

for jury service. The Court randomly

selects names, from a list provided by the

Census and Enrollment Office, of enrolled

tribal members who are at least 18 years

of age and reside in Isleta Pueblo or any of

the surrounding communities, including:

Los Lunas, Peralta, Bosque Farms, and

Albuquerque.

These individuals must

complete a Juror Questionnaire and

Qualification form and return them to the

Court by a specific deadline. When received,

the Court reviews these forms for excusals,

postponements or exemptions. If these

forms are not received by the deadline the

Court will issue a bench warrant.

There are some exceptions and

exemptions for jury service. If you are

75 years of age or older you may submit

an Affidavit of Age, which permanently

excludes you from having to serve jury duty

at Isleta Tribal Court. Also, according to

Resolution No. 2001-134, Pueblo of Isleta

Jury Trial Rules and Procedures, Section

2(A), Obtaining Jurors, any tribal member

currently serving in an elected or appointed

position for the Pueblo of Isleta, employees

of the Isleta Tribal Court, employees of the

Pueblo of Isleta’s law enforcement agencies,

or persons convicted of a felony are excluded

from performing jury service. However, the

forms must be completed and submitted to

the Court for recordkeeping purposes.

Individuals

may

request

a

postponement or excusal. If the date

scheduled for your service will create

a severe hardship, such as a scheduled

vacation, doctor appointment or other

obligation the Court will consider either

postponing or excusing you from jury

service. Also, if you have an extreme

mental, physical or financial hardship, the

Court may excuse you from jury service. If

you request an excusal because of a medical

reason you must attach a doctor’s letter to

your request.

All forms must be completed and

submitted to the Court. Even if you

submit an Affidavit of Age, excusal or

postponement, or you are exempted from

service, you must complete all forms and

submit them to the Court by the deadline.

You are not excused until you receive

notification from the Court. If these forms

are not received by the deadline the Court

will issue a bench warrant.

The Court has experienced problems

notifying potential jurors. Many tribal

members have not updated their address

with the Census Office, which means that

the Court has incorrect addresses or in

some cases we have a local address but the

person does not live at that address. Also,

individuals who are exempt from service

must also complete and submit these forms

or risk having a bench warrant issued. The

Court must receive all forms from potential

jurors to ensure that the proper procedure

is followed.

It is important that tribal members

understand that the Court cannot fully

function without the cooperation of tribal

members who have a civic duty to perform

jury service at the command of the Court.

Tribal members must also understand that

the Court will hold them accountable if

they do not comply with a Jury Summons.

Therefore, it is very important that tribal

members check their mail regularly, update

their addresses with the Census Office, and

pay attention to any mail received from

Isleta Tribal Court.

Term of jury service. For 2014, the Court

will summons two jury panels to serve. The

term of service for Jury Panel #1 is from

March 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014, these

summons were sent out at the beginning of

the month. However, the Court will have

to send out additional summons because

of excusals granted for age and medical

conditions. The term of service for Jury

Panel #2 will be from August 1, 2014

to December 31, 2014. The Court plans

to summon three jury panels for service in

2015, which will result in a shorter term

of service for each panel. Each jury panel

is required to attend a Juror Orientation

and at that time will receive information

about their service. The Court can assure

potential jurors that they will receive notice

as soon as the Court knows that a jury trial

is scheduled, and at least fourteen (14) days

in advance.

Please call the Isleta Tribal Court at (505)

869-9699 with any questions regarding jury

service or if you receive forms that you have

questions about.

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 3

Dear Tribal Member:

The Tribal Council proposes the following amendments to the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal

Constitution, based on work begun in 2010.

April 2014

-

Amend Article VII entirely

Amend Article III to conform with the current Indian Civil Rights Act

Change voting age for general elections (and special elections) From twenty-one to

eighteen years

Remove Secretary of Interior Approval of Ordinances (and others)

Set term limits for Tribal Council members

Reduce Council composition

Add Council Secretary to be Elected by Council

Create authority for early voting for general election and special election

Remove the Tribal Member requirement for Tribal Treasurer

Please review these proposed amendments. Your input is appreciated. Public scoping is from March 24 to April 22, 2014. Please send

your comments to the Tribal Council office. There will be a public meeting on this matter to be held on April 26, from 10 am to noon

at the Isleta Resort and Casino Hotel Ballroom.

Sincerely, TRIBAL COUNCIL

DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO PUEBLO OF ISLETA TRIBAL CONSTITUTION

MARCH 11, 2014 VERSION — APPROVED FOR PUBLIC SCOPING

The council shall call and hold a special election for the recall of any

ARTICLE VII — REMOVAL AND RECALL

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

Section 1. Any elected or appointed officer of the pueblo who,

during the term for which he is elected or appointed, is convicted

of a felony, shall thereupon forfeit his office. An elected officer

includes the Governor and members of council. An appointed officer

includes the Tribal Court judges.

Section 2. Any elected or appointed officer of the pueblo who,

during the term for which he is elected or appointed, is found guilty

in any court of a misdemeanor involving misconduct reflecting on

the dignity and integrity of the tribal government, or found guilty

by the council of malfeasance in office, or gross neglect of duty,

shall be removed or recalled from office in the following manner:

The council shall present the accused elected or appointed officer

with a written statement of the charges against him and, within

ten (10) days thereafter, the council shall hold a hearing at which

the accused shall be provided an opportunity to appear and be

heard in his own defense.

a) Removal and Recall of an Elected Officer.

Any elected officer of the pueblo shall be removed from office

following such hearing, by an affirmative vote of not less than

two-thirds (2/3) of the entire council. In the event a member

of council is the accused, such council member shall not take

part in the vote. The council shall then vote whether to hold a

referendum election to recall the elected officer by an affirmative

vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the entire council. In the

event a member of council is the accused, such council member

shall not take part in the vote. Such elected officer shall then be

recalled, provided that not less than fifty percent (50%) of the

registered voters of the pueblo vote in the recall election and

provided that the majority of those voting cast their ballots in

favor of such recall. In the event that the majority of the voters

do not vote in favor of the recall, the removal shall be overturned

and the accused shall resume office. In the event that less than

fifty percent (50%) of the registered voters of the pueblo do not

vote in the recall election, the elected officer shall resume office.

Council shall not declare an elected officer’s seat vacant until

a referendum election for recall has been held and the elected

officer has been recalled pursuant to the recall election.

b) Removal of an Appointed Officer.

Any appointed officer of the pueblo shall be removed from office

following such hearing by an affirmative vote of not less than

two-thirds (2/3) of the entire council. The decision by council

shall be final and not subject to a recall election.

Section 3. Recall of an Elected Officer by Petition of the people.

Notwithstanding Section 2, an elected officer of the pueblo may be

recalled by petition of the people without being removed by council.

elected officer of the pueblo within twenty-five (25) days following

receipt of a petition for recall based on malfeasance or gross neglect

of duty in office that is signed by at least twenty-five percent

(25%) of the voters registered voting in the last preceding general

election of the pueblo. Such petition shall conform to procedures

enacted by council. If the majority of those voting in such a recall

election cast their ballots in favor of such recall the office shall be

declared vacant, provided that not less than fifty percent (50%) of

the registered voters of the pueblo vote in the recall election.

ARTICLE III — RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION:

Section 1. The Pueblo of Isleta, in exercising its power of selfgovernment, shall not:

g) Require excessive bail, impose excessive fines, inflict cruel and

unusual punishment and in no event impose for conviction of any

one offense any penalty or punishment greater than imprisonment

for a term of six months or a fine of $500.00 or both.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

Section 1. The Pueblo of Isleta, in exercising its power of selfgovernment, shall not:

g) Require excessive bail, impose excessive fines, inflict cruel and

unusual punishment and in no event impose for conviction of any

one offense any penalty or punishment greater than imprisonment

for a term of one year or a fine of $5,000.00 or both or in the case

of a defendant who has been previously convicted of the same or a

comparable offense by any jurisdiction in the United States or in

the case of a defendant being prosecuted for an offense comparable

to an offense that would be punishable by more than one year if

prosecuted by the United States or any of the States for a term of

three years or a fine of $15,000 or both, as authorized by the Indian

Civil Rights Act, 25 U.S.C. § 1301 et seq., as may be amended from

time to time.

CHANGE VOTING AGE FROM TWENTY ONE (21)

TO EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION:

Article VI — NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND

APPOINTMENTS

Section 2.Any enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta aged twentyone (21) years or more on the date of election shall be eligible to

vote in any general election of the pueblo, provided that he or she

has registered to vote in accordance with Article V, Section 2.,

paragraph g.

(Continued next page)

Page 4

Isleta Pueblo News

April 2014

Article XIII — AMENDMENTS

OPTION 2:

This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the

members of the pueblo twenty-one (21) years of age or over, voting

for that purpose in an election authorized by the Secretary of the

Interior or his authorized representative.....

Section 3. The term of office of all members of the council shall

be two (2) years, coinciding with the term of governor and other

elected officers of the pueblo. No member of council shall serve for

more than three (3) consecutive terms as a member of council.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

Article VI — NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND

APPOINTMENTS

Section 2. Any enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta aged

eighteen (18 ) twenty (21 ) years or more on the date of election shall

be eligible to vote in any general election of the pueblo, provided

that he or she has registered to vote in accordance with Article V,

Section 2., paragraph g.

Article XIII — AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members

of the pueblo eighteen (18) twenty (21) years of age or over, voting

for that purpose in an election authorized by the Secretary of the

Interior or his authorized representative.....

REMOVE SECRETARIAL APPROVAL

Article V - LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION

Section 2.

Subject only to the limitations imposed by the

laws of the United States and the restrictions established by this

constitution, the powers of the council shall include the following:

a) To employ legal counsel, the choice of counsel, and fixing of

fees subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, so

long as said approval is required by Federal law.

e) To enact ordinances, subject to approval by the Secretary of

the Interior, to protect the peace, safety, property, health, and

general welfare of the members of the Pueblo of Isleta;

f) To levy and collect taxes, fees, and assessments on the

members of the pueblo and, subject, to approval by the Secretary

of the Interior, upon nonmembers of the pueblo living or doing

business on the lands of the pueblo.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

Section 2.

Subject only to the limitations imposed by the

laws of the United States and the restrictions established by this

constitution, the powers of the council shall include the following:

a) To employ legal counsel, the choice of counsel. and fixing of

fees subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, so

long as said approval is required by Federal law.

e) To enact ordinances, subject to approval by the Secretary of

the Interior, to protect the peace, safety, property, health, and

general welfare of the members of the Pueblo of Isleta;

f) To levy and collect taxes, fees, and assessments on the

members of the pueblo and, subject, to approval by the Secretary

of the Interior, upon nonmembers of the pueblo living or doing

business on the lands of the pueblo.

CREATE TERM LIMITS FOR

TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

Article V — LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION:

Section 3. The term of office of all members of the council shall

be two (2) years, coinciding with the term of governor and other

elected officers of the pueblo.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

OPTION 1:

Section 3. The term of office of all members of the council shall

be two (2) years, coinciding with the term of governor and other

elected officers of the pueblo. No member of council shall serve for

more than two (2) consecutive terms as a member of council.

REDUCE TRIBAL COUNCIL COMPOSITION AND

QUORUM REQUIREMENT

Article V — LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION

Section 1. The Legislative Branch of the Pueblo of Isleta shall

consist of a council of twelve (12) members, selected as hereinafter

provided.

Section 8. Eight (8) members of the council shall constitute a

quorum for the transaction of official business, and all issues shall

be decided by majority vote of those members present and voting,

except as otherwise provided in this constitution.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

OPTION 1:

Section 1. The Legislative Branch of the Pueblo of Isleta shall

consist of a council of seven (7) twelve (12) members, selected as

hereinafter provided.

Section. 8. Five (5) Eight (8) members of the council shall constitute

a quorum for the transaction of official business, and all issues

shall be decided by majority vote of those members present and

voting, except as otherwise provided in this constitution.

OPTION 2:

Section 1. The Legislative Branch of the Pueblo of Isleta shall consist

of a council of nine twelve (12) members, selected as hereinafter

provided.

Section 8. Seven (7) eight (8) members of the council shall constitute

a quorum for the transaction of official business, and all issues

shall be decided by majority vote of those members present and

voting, except as otherwise provided in this constitution.

SECRETARY OF COUNCIL TO BE ELECTED,

ARTICLES V AND VI

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION:

ARTICLE V — LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 5. The council shall at the first meeting of the council

elect amongst themselves a president and vice-president of the

council and designate one of its members as council secretary as

hereinafter provided, whose duty it shall be to keep the minutes of

council meetings, maintain the records, files, and membership roll

of the pueblo, and supervise the conduct of all general and special

elections of the pueblo.

ARTICLE VI — NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, AND

APPOINTMENTS

Section 11. On January 1, following any general election of the

pueblo the council at its first meeting shall elect amongst themselves

a president and vice-president of the council.

Section 13. At the first council meeting following each general

election of the pueblo, the council shall appoint one of its members

as council secretary and shall appoint a qualified member of the

pueblo as treasurer.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

ARTICLE V — LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 5. The council shall at the first meeting of the council

elect amongst themselves a president and vice-president of the

council and a designate one of its members as council secretary as

hereinafter provided, whose duty it shall be to keep the minutes of

council meetings, maintain the records, files, and membership roll

(Continued next page)

April 2014

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 5

of the pueblo, and supervise the conduct of all general and

special elections of the pueblo.

April Water Outlook for the

2014 Irrigation Season

ARTICLE VI — NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, AND

APPOINTMENTS

This report is based on information from the Bureau of

Reclamation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service,

and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

Section 11. On January 1, following any general election of

the pueblo the council at its first meeting shall elect amongst

themselves a president and vice-president of the council and a

council secretary.

Section 13. At the first council meeting following each general

election of the pueblo, the council shall appoint one of its members

as council secretary and shall appoint a qualified member of the

pueblo as treasurer.

AUTHORIZE EARLY VOTING FOR GENERAL

AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION:

ARTICLE VI — NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND

APPOINTMENTS

Section 7.

Voting shall be by secret ballot, the form of which

shall be established by the council.

ARTICLE VIII — FILLING VACANCIES AND SPECIAL

ELECTIONS

Section 6(b). Each such registered voter shall re-register to vote

in the special election on a date and at a place to be designated by

the council, at least ten (10) days before the special election. At

the time such voter re-registers he or she shall by secret ballot,

nominate an eligible member of the pueblo as a candidate for the

vacant office or offices. Persons receiving the greatest number of

votes will fill these positions vacant at the special election.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

ARTICLE VI — NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND

APPOINTMENTS

Section 7.

Voting shall be by secret ballot, the form of

which shall be established by the council. Notwithstanding the

foregoing provisions, early voting shall be authorized for elections

in conformity with an appropriate ordinance of council and this

constitution.

ARTICLE VIII — FILLING VACANCIES AND SPECIAL

ELECTIONS

Section 6(b). Each such registered voter shall re-register to vote

in the special election on a date and at a place to be designated by

the council, at least ten (10) days before the special election. At

the time such voter re-registers he or she shall by secret ballot,

nominate an eligible member of the pueblo as a candidate for the

vacant office or offices. Persons receiving the greatest number

of votes will fill these positions vacant at the special election.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, early voting shall be

authorized for special elections in conformity with an appropriate

ordinance of council and this constitution.

REMOVE “TRIBAL MEMBER” REQUIREMENT FOR

TRIBAL TREASURER AND ADD 30 DAY TIMEFRAME

TO APPOINT TRIBAL TREASURER

Article VI — NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND

APPOINTMENTS

CURRENT LANGUAGE IN CONSTITUTION:

Section 13. At the first council meeting following each general

election of the pueblo, the council shall appoint one of its members

as council secretary and shall appoint a qualified member of the

pueblo as treasurer.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

Section 13. Within thirty (30) days of At the first council meeting

following each general election of the pueblo, the council shall

appoint one of its members as council secretary and shall appoint

a qualified individual member of the pueblo as treasurer.

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (District) provides

irrigation water to the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos and nonIndian farmers from Cochiti to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife

Refuge. The water is stored in El Vado Reservoir in northern New

Mexico near Chama. Due to the continuing drought, the District has

no water in storage in El Vado. Irrigation deliveries for non-Indian

farmers may be curtailed by June 15, 2014 if the current weather

pattern persists. As of March 28, 2014 the Bureau of Reclamation

has stored approximately 12,000 ac/ft. of P&P water in El Vado

Reservoir for use by the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos.

The March runoff forecast of 2014 for New Mexico’s rivers

continues to deteriorate. Flow on the Rio Grande at the Otowi

gage upstream of Cochiti reservoir is projected at 38 percent of the

1981-2010 average according to federal forecasters at the Natural

Resources Conservation Service. At San Marcial, above Elephant

Butte Reservoir, the forecast calls for 13 percent of average runoff.

Snow accumulating from late fall through early spring provides the

water that is stored in El Vado for irrigation by both Indian and

non-Indian farmers. But snow accumulation this year has been

extremely low. The forecast for the rest of the spring calls for less

than normal rainfall and above average temperatures. The Bureau

of Reclamation and MRGCD have cautioned farmers in the Middle

Rio Grande Valley that irrigation water supplies may be used up

by July 1.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Reclamation are

storing Prior and Paramount water in El Vado during the spring

runoff for the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos. The amount of water

stored will be dependent on the spring runoff, which is extremely

low. After the first of July, Prior and Paramount water will be

released from El Vado for use by the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos

only. The water may be released in large blocks to reduce carriage

losses to the river system.

The PSD Resources and Environment Divisions will continue to

work with the Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs,

and the MRGCD to ensure adequate deliveries to Isleta farmers.

Irrigation diversions for the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos will be

dependent on the Natural Flow in the Rio Grande and releases of

Prior and Paramount (P&P) water stored in El Vado for use by the

Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos only. Releases of P&P water will be

used to supplement the Natural Flow in the Rio Grande.

Water deliveries to Isleta farmers this irrigation season may be

very low and the ditches may not be full all the time. Scheduling

of water deliveries with the Isleta Mayordomos will be necessary.

If this happens, irrigation water may only be available every other

week. Please work with your Mayordomos to make sure everyone

receives adequate water in a timely manner. This will require

watering when the water is available including watering at night

and during the week. Farmers are urged to cooperate with their

Mayordomos and fellow farmers and use the limited water supply

wisely.

Snowpack Data:

As of 3/5/14

Rio Chama Basin

Upper Rio Grande Basin

Sangre de Cristo Basin

Jemez Basin

San Juan River Basin

65%

86%

58%

26%

89%

March Streamflow Forecast

Rio Grande @ Del Norte CO

El Vado Reservoir Inflow (Mar-July)

Rio Grande @ Otowi

Jemez R. below dam

Rio Grande @ San Marcial

435,000 ac-ft (84%)

80,000 ac-ft (36%)

270,000 ac-ft (38%)

3,300 ac-ft (10%)

66,000 ac-ft (13%)

Page 6

Isleta Pueblo News

PUBLIC NOTICE

A Petition to Probate the Estate of Jose Edward

Jojola, deceased March 30, 2010, Case No. CV-PR0925-2013, has been filed in the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal

Courts. Any person claiming an interest in the Estate

is hereby requested to notify the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal

Court Clerk within thirty (30) days from the date of this

notice being posted. A hearing in this matter has been

scheduled for May 13, 2014 at 2:00 PM.

Claims must be filed in writing with the Isleta Tribal

Court Clerk. If you have any questions, please contact

the Tribal Court Clerk at (505) – 869 – 9699.

SECOND NOTICE. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF

NAME. TAKE NOTICE that in accordance with

Pueblo of Isleta Court requirements, the petitioner,

Elizabeth Jojola, has to the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal

Courts for an Order for change of Name of the minor

child Jayden Kyle Anzara to Jayden Kyle Jojola. Any

person claiming an interest in this matter may notify the

Isleta Tribal Court Clerk within thirty (30) days from the

date of this notice being posted.

Claims must be submitted in writing with the Isleta Tribal

Court Clerk. If you have any questions, please contact

the Tribal Court Clerk at (505) – 869 – 9699.

PHYSICAL THERAPY NEWS

Isleta Health Center

Submitted by: Leslie Herman, PT

Changes at the Isleta Physical Therapy

Clinic

The Isleta Physical Therapy Clinic wants you

to know about our Hellos and Goodbyes. We are

happy to announce the arrival of our new physical

therapist, Bernadette Frigerio, PT, DPT. She comes

to us from the physical therapy doctoral program

at UNM. She was raised in Grants, NM and is a

member of the Choctaw Nation. She likes to be

called Berna. Please give Berna a warm welcome if

you come to the PT Clinic.

We have said good-bye to our Physical Therapy

Technician, Lorraine Lucero, who has left us to

care for her newborn baby girl and two sons. We

send congratulations to her for her new daughter

and wish her family well.

And finally I, Leslie Herman, want to say thank

you to the Isleta community as I approach the end

of my time as your physical therapist. My last day

as Physical Therapy Clinic Manager will be April

24th. It has been a privilege to serve in my position

for more than a decade. I have grown professionally

and personally through this opportunity and have

been made to feel welcome and cared for by your

community. To those of you I have been able to help,

thank you because your recoveries have given me

joy and are the reason I am a physical therapist.

To those of you I wasn't able to help, I hope you

have found the help you needed elsewhere, and I

thank you for spurring me on to learn more, gain

more skill and become a better physical therapist. I

am retiring but plan to continue involvement with

Senior Olympics which started with Isleta as we

began a program here. I also may be able to help

at the physical therapy clinic if extra staffing is

needed. So, I won't say a final good-bye, but "Hope

to see you around," and I wish you all the very

best.

April 2014

United States Department of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Education

New Mexico South Education Line Office

ISLETA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1000 Moonlight Drive

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87105

Telephone: (505) 869-2321 Fax: (505) 869-1625

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph Lucero, Board Chairman

Patrick Jaramillo, Member

Michelle Jojola, Member

Tricia Jojola, Member

Rebecca Meehan, Board Secretary

Tribal Council Liaisons: Larry Jaramillo, Juan Rey Abeita

April 2014

Dear parents & community,

Here we are at the beginning of another month and here are a few things that

have been happening at Isleta Elementary School (IES):

New Mexico Standards Based Testing:

By the time you read this message, all of Isleta Elementary 3rd, 4th, 5th and

6th grade students will have completed the New Mexico Standards Based

Assessment (SBA) testing. We're sure the students worked very hard during

this time, so please give your child a pat on the back, and thank you parents, for

making sure your kids were in school for this very important testing. Likewise,

thanks also goes to the SPSP Committee for the movie fieldtrip, which was

offered as an incentive for the kids to be ready and available for testing!

School Bus Driver Shortage:

As you are probably aware, the IES is currently down to one bus driver for

student transports. In order to help get the bus schedule back on track, IES

is currently recruiting for an emergency contract school bus driver. If you or

anyone you know is interested and qualified (applicant will need a current

CDL and have all up-to-date required training), please visit usajobs.gov for

more information and to apply. Many thanks go out to Loretta Orozco (Bus

Driver) and Barbara Trujillo (Community Liaison), who have kept parents and

the community informed, have solicited comments/suggestion/feedback from

you by hosting bus transportation meetings, and who have been doing their

best schedule-wise to get our kids to school with minimal delay.

Current Vacancies: Registrar, Counselor, and Business Technician. You can

find vacancy announcements at usajobs.gov.

Next School Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 8th at 6:00pm at the IES library.

Remember, you are always welcome to attend our monthly School Board

meetings. They are held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm. Finally,

feel free to send any comments and/or concerns to the new Isleta Elementary

School Board e-mail address: IES_SchoolBoard@outlook.com at any time.

Public Services Department

Pueblo of Isleta Public Services Department Moves

Customer Service Operations to Tribal Service Complex

— Planning Office

The Public Services has moved, and all business is now being

conducted from the new location.

Please call the main office number at 505-869-9782 for all work

orders including but not limited to, septic pumping, trash pick

up, delivery of trash cans, grading of roads, water leaks outside

your home, delivery of sand and gravel, etc.

If you, or a family member, needs to pick up a home site application,

burn permit or wood permit, you will need to visit our office at

the Tribal Services Complex — Planning Office in room C122.

For any questions, please call the above number.

Page 10

Isleta Pueblo News

April 2014

Parks & Recreation

The Pueblo of Isleta Parks & Recreation Department continue being involved in a mass array of activities that have been taking place

on the Reservation. Activities and work schedules included; All Day Activities for those children who were on Spring Break from Los

Lunas, Valencia, Bosque and Peralta Schools. In addition, we have been involved in setting up the activities for the Elders for the Senior

Olympic Local Activities here in our gymnasium. Also our Park Management crew has been busy preparing the Little League fields

for the upcoming season along with remodeling their new concession stand, installing new score-boards and installing an irrigation

system for the Highway 47 Streetscape project. Also in the Aquatics Division we closed the swimming pool the week of March 10th for

our semi-annual clean up campaign. Sorry for any inconvenience but it is necessary to protect your health and safety as well as your

investment.

Upcoming Events in April 2014 at New Rec.

Friday, April 11th the Los Lunas/Valencia High School Pow Wow from 5:00 pm to 10:00pm. Saturday, April 12th the Child

Abuse Awareness Parade from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm. Saturday, April 19th the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 am. Please don't

be late. It takes all of 2 minutes to complete.

Saturday, April 26th the Bernie Jojola Memorial Run (Cross Roads) at 10:00 am.

Spring Break Activities/After-school Program

This year, because of conflicting

scheduling with most of the schools in

the Bernalillo, Valencia and Sandoval

Counties we are having children who

are on spring break at different times

in March and April. This has created

somewhat of a scheduling issue but our

staff has done a great job in dealing

with this minor problem. Kimberly

Chiwewe, After-school Coordinator at

the Old Rec. program reports activities

for those children who have already

been on spring break have included

several educational field trips to the

Zoo and Gravity Park along with some

fun type activities to our Isleta Fun

Connection, swimming, movies, and

It'z Family Fun Center. Other activities

included; Jr. Golf lessons, Kite flying,

ping pong, and some basketball shootouts. All in all, the children have really

had a great time, and with spring fever

in the air they getting excited for the upcoming summer program. Pictured are

some of the children in the after-school

program.

Senior Olympics

Our Elderly Senior Olympic

program, under the direction

of

Activity

Coordinator,

Renee Chavez has been busy

preparing for the upcoming

State Senior Olympics. At

the present time they are

conducting the local games for

our seniors from our elderly

program in hopes of qualifying

for the State Senior Olympics

in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Activities

have

included;

basketball free-throws, Frisbee

toss, Juachas, and shuffle

board. One of the many of our

elders (Pictured right) still

competing and having a great

time is Alberta Lente who is 92

years young. She says; "staying

involved with activities like

the Senior Olympics keeps

her busy, moving, and young

at heart". Also included is a

collage of pictures with our

Elders competing in different

activities in the gymnasium.

April 2014

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 11

Park Management

With spring in the air, our park management

division has been busy with several ongoing projects. First and foremost they are

preparing all of our parks for the Little

League season which is scheduled to start

on Saturday, March 29th, with the parade

of teams and picture taking. Picture taking

will begin in earnest at 8:00 am and the

parade of teams will follow at 10:00 am.

In addition, the crew has recently placed

scoreboards on Fields #2 and #3 which

required bore drilling underneath the

grassed area for electrical hook-ups to the

newly installed score-keepers benches.

Also our new maintenance technician at

New Rec. Mike Sarracino has been busy

remodeling the Little League Concession

stand as well as our own kitchen at the New

Rec. facility. Both jobs included installing

new tile, counter-tops and lighting. Keep

up the great work, Mike. Pictured is Mike

doing some prep work prior to installing the

tile. Pictured are pictures depicting some of

the work that is being done to get ready for

the up-coming season.

Highway 47 Streetscape Project

The new streetscape project (pictured below) directly in front of the New Isleta Tribal Complex is receiving a much needed makeover.

The makeover includes tidying up the landscape rock & plants, de-weeding the medians and installing a much needed irrigation

system that will take several minutes to water the foliage as compared to several hours of hand watering thus making it much safer for

employees and drivers alike. All work is being done in house by the employees of the Park & Recreation Department. Great job!

Aquatics/Recreation

The Parks & Recreation Department has recently added two new employees to replace two who have

recently left us for new position elsewhere. Our recent departure of Kimberly Chiwewe to take on the

duties of running the Old Rec. after-school program replacing Eugene (Shoobie) Jojola who went on to

the Diabetes Program. Kimberly was replaced by Rochelle Zuni as our new receptionist who is pictured

above. The second new employee who is also pictured right is Alonzo Romero who is our newest lifeguard

replacing Jensen Hatch who went on to work in her field at the Presbyterian Hospital. For those of you who may be interested in

becoming a lifeguard, we are always looking for individuals. All you have to do is apply over at the Tribal Complex with the Human

Resources Department. If you like swimming and are a halfway decent swimmer we can train you to becoming a lifeguard. Also

pictured center is Derrick Jiron conducting his noon time Cross-fit training class which takes place every single day early morning,

noon time, or afternoon classes. If anyone is interested, please call Derrick directly, for the full listing of his class schedules. He can be

reached at 869-9777. Those who attend say they love his work-out because every class is never the same routine. And he intensifies the

workouts fitted to meet your individual needs. What do you say, come and try it.

Page 12

Isleta Pueblo News

April 2014

Pueblo of Isleta Library

Welcome to the month of April, where we celebrate April Fool’s Day, World Autism Awareness Day

on April 2, National no housework day April 7, Titanic Remembrance Day April 15, Earth Day

on April 22 and recognizing the whole month of April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness

month.

News

The Library will be opening at 12:00pm

Wednesday April 9th due to our monthly

staff meeting. We will be discussing the

upcoming summer reading program as well

as other program ideas and incentives for

the future. Stay updated on programs with

flyers, Facebook and word of mouth.

The Library has recognized some flaws in our

Afterschool Homework Help Registration

forms. If your child is registered in our

Afterschool Homework Help program, you

will be getting an updated form for you to

fill out and return to the Library. The new

addition to our form will include a portion

on emergencies with transportation options.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The Library has been having unannounced

Fire Drills and will continue with one more

unannounced fire Drill. Please be advised

whenever a Fire Drill goes off at the Library

you are expected to evacuate the building.

Our last fire we ran into patrons not

wanting to leave computers. Our fire escape

plans are posted throughout the building.

We must take every precaution measure

possible and understand that even though

we have unannounced drills we never know

when a real emergency may occur.

We honor this month as Child Abuse

Prevention and Awareness month. A quick

fact about Child Abuse: Almost five children

die every day as a result of child abuse.

More than three out of four are under

the age of 4 (mercyhome.org/child-abuseand-neglect-facts). That statistic alone is

alarming and an eye opener for everyone.

The Library will be setting up a booth

at the Annual Child Abuse Prevention

and Awareness Parade and Community

Awareness Fair, which will take place at

the Isleta Recreation Center. We will be

handing out our Calendar for this year’s

Summer Reading Program. Registration

will be May 16th and the program will begin

in June. Photography and Yearbook will be

the theme of this summer! If you have any

questions do not hesitate to call and speak

with a staff member.

Upcoming

Starting this month the Library will be

introducing an exciting reading incentive

open to everyone! Did you forget to bring in

movies on time? Or forgot to renew? Now

you have a fine on your Library account

and you cannot check out any movies. Well,

come to the Library and pick up your special

punch card. What’s the catch? Read while

you are at the library for a full 20 minutes

and receive a punch on your card for a $1

off. You can earn up to $5 off your fine with

this punch card so reading for this is serious

business. You may read anything you like.

We have books and magazines. Sorry,

reading Facebook updates and messaging

Our costume contestants line up as the Justice League of New Mexico judge

and pick the best costume!

use tables and chairs for our vendors, and

also our Workshop leader and Caricature

Artist Paul and Peter Ziomek. If you missed

the event, do not worry we are considering

having this Comic Con every year! People

who attended the event got to participate

in our free raffle, which consisted of gift

cards, a 3 in 1 game system with games,

T-shirts, posters and comic books. Our Arts

and Crafts perler bead art activity was a

big hit with both adults and children that

attended. Perler bead art creations turned

into necklaces, key chains and magnets.

Batman and Wonder Woman found

Everyone had fun making Star Wars Light

Superman at our Comic Con!

Sabers and mimicking sword moves as the

your friends do not count, although it may Star Wars music came on. We also had

be like reading a newspaper, why not come tons of people come dressed up as their

read the Albuquerque Journal or other news favorite superhero or movie character. All

outlets we have here at the Library. Keep a in all it was a Fun event! If you have any

look out for the flyer posted in the Library, pictures to share with us or want to share

Facebook, and the Library website about your experience with us, please do! We like

when the starting date is. Come speak to a hearing feedback.

Library staff member today!

The Library had the pleasure of networking

with Bricks 4 kidz and inviting them

Recap

to do a workshop during the Los Lunas

The Library hosted its first Library Comic schools Spring Break. Bricks 4 Kidz are

Con, which was a huge success! The Library an organization that provides workshops

staff would like to thank the following for building with Legos and applying

their contribution to our event: Justice engineering skills to make their Lego

League of New Mexico for donating their creations move. We invited 10 children to

time, Gamers Anonymous for bringing the attend this 4-day workshop. The children

game systems and allowing free play, Comic built cars, carousels, and many others

Warehouse for providing a complimentary making the children excited and more

Comic book to everyone that attended, interested. After the program ended, each

Singing Wire 89.9FM for being the Master

of Ceremonies, Sweet Tooth Christina Lujan

for donating a Batman cake and a Spiderman cake to our free raffle, Thunder knife

Singers for providing concession and also

giving free meals to the Justice League and

½ prices to the Vendors, Isleta Resort and

Casino (Sean Lujan) for donating tickets for

Led Zeppagain and the Straits, Councilman

Juan Rey Abeita for also donating VIP

tickets to Led Zeppagain, Astro-Zombies for

donating door prizes, Ka-Boom for donating

Bricks 4 Kidz Lego participants working

3 $25 giftcards for the costume contest,

on their Lego project.

Isleta Recreation Center for allowing us to

April 2014

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 13

and so on. We learned the proper way to

handle and clean cuts and how to handle

snakebites and insect bites. We are all

knowledgeable on these subjects and are

certified. Special Thanks to Vernon Abeita

of the Isleta Health Center for instructing

the class for the Library Staff.

Library Hours

Mon-Thurs

8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Closed on Sundays, all federally recognized

holidays and also Isleta traditional

holidays.

Please contact library for more information

on closures.

Connect with us:

Website:

http://www.isletapueblo.com/library.html

Bricks 4 Kidz Lego participants showing off their creations.

child received a free T-Shirt from Bricks

4 Kidz. We would like to thank Bricks for

Kidz for providing this fun program for the

Library. They also provide their business for

birthday parties. For a brochure of Bricks 4

Kidz, please come by the Library.

A quick recap on the Library Staff’s First

Aid and CPR training that took place

March 17th and 18th. The Library staff

learned the in’s and out’s on what to do and

when to use CPR for adults and children.

We also practiced on an AED (automated

external defibrillation) that is used during

CPR. First Aid training was in depth and

descriptive of cuts, bites, sprains, bleeding

E-mail:

poi02002@isletapueblo.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/

IsletaPuebloLibrary

YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/poiLibrary

April 2014

Isleta Pueblo News

Page 15

RAILROAD SAFETY

Stephanie Barela, Health Educator

869-4479 ● sbarela@islclinic.net

There are a number of railroad crossings

in Isleta and that is why it is so important

that we all know how to be safe in a railroad

crossing. In America, someone is hit by a

train every 115 minutes, often killing them.

According to Operation Lifesaver, nearly

2,000 Americans are killed and injured at

highway/rail grade crossings each year.

Most collisions with vehicles and trains

happen when trains are traveling less than

35 miles per hour. In ¼ of all collisions,

the train is already in the crossing when

the car hits it and since most, nearly 2/3, of

all collisions happen during the day, driver

not paying attention must be the mayor

cause. It takes a train one mile to stop,

so NEVER try to beat a train, because the

train always wins! A motorist in a train/

vehicle crash is 40 times more likely to die

than in a collision between two vehicles.

Here are ways to help prevent yourself

from being injured by a train:

• Remember that any time is train

time.

• Slow down when approaching a

railroad crossing and look both ways—

twice!

Left, Right, Left!

• Never race a train to cross the

tracks.

• Never pass another vehicle within

100 feet of a railroad crossing.

• Watch out for vehicles that MUST

stop at a railroad crossing, like school

buses or trucks carrying hazardous

materials.

• When approaching a crossing, roll

down your windows, turn off your

radio and air conditioner and listen

for whistles or bells.

• Always yield to flashing lights,

whistles, closing gates, or stop signs.

• Never shift gears on the railroad

crossing, down shift before you reach

it.

How can injuries to children in motor

vehicles be prevented?

www.CDC.gov

Child safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by

71% for infants, and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years.

•Know the stages:

• Birth through Age 2 – Rear-facing child safety seat. For

the best possible protection, infants and children should be

kept in a rear-facing child safety seat, in the back seat buckled

with the seat’s harness, until they reach the upper weight or

height limits of their particular seat. The weight and height

limits on rear-facing child safety seats can accommodate most

children through age 2, check the seat’s owner’s manual for

details.

• Between Ages 2-4/Until 40 lbs – Forward-facing child

safety seat. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats

(the weight and height limits on rear-facing car seats can

accommodate most children through age 2) they should ride

in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat buckled

with the seat’s harness, until they reach the upper weight

or height limit of their particular seat (usually around age 4

and 40 pounds; many newer seats have higher weight limitscheck the seat’s owner’s manual for details).

• Between Ages 4-8 OR Until 4'9" Tall – Booster seat.

Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (by reaching

the upper height and weight limits of their seat), they should

ride in belt positioning booster seats. Remember to keep

children in the back seat for the best possible protection.

• After Age 8 AND/OR 4'9" Tall – Seat belts. Children

should use booster seats until adult seat belts fit them

properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across

the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt

fits across the chest (not the neck). When adult seat belts fit

children properly they can use the adult seat belts without

booster seats. For the best possible protection keep children

in the back seat and use lap-and-shoulder belts.

All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back

•

seat. Airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat.

Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat or in front of

an air bag.

•

Place children in the middle of the back seat when possible,

because it is the safest spot in the vehicle.

• If you must stop, keep a distance of

15 to 50 feet from the tracks. Since

the tracks are four feet eight and a

half inches wide, the train hangs 3

feet past the rails on each side, be

sure to leave enough space between

your vehicle and the tracks.

• Teach children that the railroad

is NEVER a place to play, walk, run,

bike ride or use as a short cut.

• Always cross the tracks at the

designated railroad crossing or

pedestrian crossing.

REMEMBER TO LOOK,

LISTEN AND LIVE!

STOPPING MAY ADD

30 SECONDS TO YOUR

JOURNEY, WHILE NOT

STOPPING COULD PUT AN

END TO IT COMPLETELY.

ANY TIME IS TRAIN TIME!

Reference:http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/

fsrailroadcross.pdf

Think your exposure to secondhand

smoke

doesn't put you at risk?

Think again!

Stephanie Barela

Isleta Health Center, Health Educator

Even just a small amount of

secondhand smoke can put

you more at risk for

getting lung disease (Cancer).

Researchers from American Journal of Respiratory

and Critical Care Medicine did a study on the genes in

cells from people's airways and found that breathing

even a little cigarette smoke can affect the genes,

which in turn can result in Lung Disease (Cancer).

The scientists examined genes from heavy smokers

and those who were exposed to only a little smoke.

They saw the same type of changes in both, although

the amount was less in people who breathed less

smoke.

This is a warning for light smokers or people

who

breathe secondhand smoke:

"Don't think that it's not affecting you. Your lung cells

know it. They are behaving abnormally. And for some

individuals who are at risk, they are more susceptible

for developing lung disease", warns researcher Ronald

Crystal.

Article adapted from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

HealthBeat.