Maiden voyage – The Echo Cliff Veterans Organization prepare to bring the Colors across a brand new bridge built recently near the Bodaway-Gap Chapter House on July 14, 2008. (Courtesy photo)

New cell towers, gas station, bridge, road pavement and homes are part of new items

GAP, Ariz. - The communities surrounding the Bodaway-Gap area celebrated and gave commemoration to the members of the Transportation and Community Development Committee of the 21st Navajo Nation Council on July 14.
 
At an appreciation and dedication celebration held at the chapter house, spectators listened to Council Delegate Evelyn Acothely, who represents Bodaway-Gap, Cameron, Coppermine chapters, listed off the projects made possible by the Council and their favorable consent to give aid to build a new chapter house parking lot, build five new homes and to allow the establishment of cellular towers to provide service to an area that had a bleak cellular signal.
 
A new gas station and a new bridge with two miles of pavement can also be attributed to the community leaders, the Council and the TCDC.
 
Certificates of appreciation for the dedicated services and outstanding contributions in addressing transportation needs were given by chapter officials to TCDC members Lorenzo Bedonie, Omer Begay, Sampson Begay, Jerry Bodie, Johnny Naize, David Rico, and Road Committee members Leslie Dele and Willie Begay.
  
The TCDC and Resources Committees were also presented with plaques as a token of appreciation from the Bodaway-Gap community.
 
The ceremony was set to begin at 11 a.m. with Marie L. Williams leading the event as Masters of Ceremonies. The Echo Cliff’s Veterans Organization posted the Colors.
 
Thomas Tso, president of the Bodaway-Gap Certified Land-Use Plan Group, welcomed the public to the event and Brian Kensley, grazing official for the chapter house, introduced the distinguished guests, Delegate Acothely, Roland Becenti, road engineer from the B.I.A. agency, Joe Salt, from the Navajo Department of Transportation, and Willie Begay and Leslie Dele from the TCDC.
 
Closing remarks were offered by Bodaway-Gap Chapter President Billy Arizona Jr. after a luncheon was served.
 
The Bodaway-Gap Chapter is situated just over 30 miles away from Tuba City along U.S. Highway 89 heading northbound. It is a part of the Western Navajo Agency.