Paul Tafoya

PAUL TAFOYA Tribute to Paul Tafoya, Santa Clara. You silently left this world during the month of September 2009. Paul Tafoya was born in 1928; graduated from the Albuquerque Indian School; joined the Navy, where he picked up the welding trade. Paul, you were voted in as governor of Santa Clara at age 36, while working for Eberline Industries in Santa Fe in 1964. You were not the most educated man, but you were an intelligent man. You were voted in as governor 12 different years by the people of Santa Clara between 1964 through 1983. To be voted in as governor in a span of 19 years, 12 times is incredible. You must have been doing something right. After you became governor and while working for Eberline, you started a welding class on your own, bringing in welding machines and tools. You invited any one interested that wanted to learn welding, this faded out because of the construction of S.R. 30. Later you left the job with Eberline, to become full-time governor. Besides doing your duties as governor, including having community meetings, you and your council members accomplished many projects, to mention a few: you brought in head-start, many children have gone through the school; the addition to the administration building with its gym that is used by children and adults; the bridge over the Rio Grande that did away with much traffic congestion at the intersection of 285, S.R. 30; you introduced "self-governance"; the bridge over the creek between the pueblo proper and the day school with its relining of the road along the creek; reconstruction of S.R. 30, taking out its dips and curves, continued with a cement ditch lining where other governors left off, plus many other projects. Hud housing came into Santa Clara in 1969 through 1970, two years before your 1971 term as governor. You also followed through with housing, the cooperation that was given to the housing commissioner between 1969 through 1974 by the governor council of those six years, was outstanding. 150 Hud Homes were built within the six years. They were the first HUD Homes built in Santa Clara Pueblo. In 1983 you were brought to your knees, you were impeached as governor of Santa Clara over a half acre plot of land that has never been used. How cruel can life get? To be brought down from the position of governor to nothing, the humiliation you and your family must have suffered must have been unbearable. Yes, over a half acre plot of land versus the accomplishments you and your council of those 12 years brought to the pueblo of Santa Clara and its people. Paul Tafoya, your heart-ache and sufferings are over. You are now at peace with the good Lord. Albert Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo