Laguna governor has big plans for pueblo

Laguna Gov. John Antonio speaks diring the opening of the pueblo's expanded ROute 66 Casion. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

PUEBLO OF LAGUNA — Gov. John Antonio is serving the final year of a two-year term as the head of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in Cibola County, which has more than 8,000 tribal members.

His philosophy, as the elected leader of Laguna is to have “open communication and respect.”

Each quarter, Antonio, tribal leaders and staff sit down and just listen to what members have to say, good or bad.

“This helps the membership to come together,” he said.
He said he is proud of the tribe’s economic development, its Laguna Development Corp., and Laguna Construction Co.

The tribe recently expanded the large Route 66 Casino Hotel near Albuquerque, just past the eastern edge of Cibola County on Interstate Highway 40.

The casino expanded by adding a hotel with 154 rooms and 300 more slot machines and table games.

Most importantly however, are the 400 jobs the expansion brings to the reservation and to tribal members, he said.
Laguna also has the Dancing Eagle Casino, a travel center, and a grocery store, at exit 108 on Interstate 40.
Revenue from the new expansion will help the tribe with infrastructure, housing, water, wastewater treatment and the miles and miles of roads, Antonio said.

Antonio’s background is as a wildlife biologist for the Navajo Nation for many years, with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management. He served as a natural resource specialist and likes to talk about natural resources.

“We are looking at solar and wind power as a way to provide electricity in a joint effort with PNM,” he said.

The sun shines almost every day of he year on Laguna, and the wind is almost always blowing as well.

Making Route 66 a destination resort by adding a golf course is being reviewed, he said.

“Water is the critical issue, though, and because there is so much saline in it we might need a desalinization plant,” he said.

Laguna Development is constantly looking at ways to bring development to the reservation and the 1,200 jobs now at Route 66, is a major step.

The construction company has earned the respect and admiration of the United States. Some of its leaders were asked to consult on construction projects in Iraq, Antonio said.

In Laguna, the governor is elected from one of six villages. Candidates are nominated but cannot campaign.

He said he does not know whether he will be renominated or re-elected. Candidates may accept a nomination or decline.

During his term however, he said he intends to have good harmony within the tribe.

“Part of our tradition is respect,” he said.

“Even though we have six villages, we are one people.”

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.

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