Developers appeal county's decision; to argue commission unfairly...

So the people of La Mesa mean nothing as well as what they want, ey Mr. Jones? You and your daughter forget the Commissioners do what the people want - the "people" not two people who are just looking to make money. Why not work on making the corner of Picacho and Valley into something that the community in that area need? You've cleared the lot, now do something with it instead of wasting money and time fighting something so ridiculous.

It's all well and good that someone new with money wants to make more money but why should it be at the expense of residents who have lived in the La Mesa area for years? We who live rurally do so for a reason--if we wanted to live in a city with crowds of people and crime, we would have built or purchased homes there! So please--don't bring the city to us! While you may feel, Mr Jones, that you have a legal right--what of a moral right? And the rights of others? We were here first--we have a right to defend our choices against money and all the issues it will bring. Last time I checked, this was still the USA and each of us still posess the right to voice our displeasure at someone else's suggestions and defend our positions. Seems to me, you'll be wasting a lot of money in an attempt to turn peaceful paradise into your idea of rural life regardless of the burdens it will place on those before you. Build somewhere else--turn somewhere else into your idea of rural living. Take your money and go somewhere else! Thank goodness there are those who cannot be bought!

You know that developers ALWAYS win in the end. You may make them jump through a few extra hoops, but they have the resources to make it happen. Good for the residents of La Mesa who took a stand. At least the development will be stalled for a while longer. In the meantime, prepare yourselves with the prospect of living with this development one way or another.

Sounds like how the protesters were labeled at the town hall meetings on Obamacare. At least the commission had the guts to stand up against the developer and truly take seriously the majorities desire to not drastically change their community. Too bad Obama is not heeding the majorities rejection of his brand of healthcare reform.

In 1848 the Treaty of Hidalgo and shortly after the Jose Manuel Sanchez Baca grant was established along with the territorial community ditch association of La Mesa, San Miguel, La Union and Chamberino. In 1902 the US Government created the Reclamation Act which in 1905 authorized the building of Elephant Butte Dam. The local communities and their water rights were held hostage by the federal government in court for 30 years in US VS Rio Grande Dam and Irrigation Company. This private enterprise was formed in 1894 to develop more water for the community farms by building Elephant Butte Dam by the support of the local communties. The Reclamation service never complying with the law took over this project, all through the support of an illegal fedearl embargo. After over 100 years this case is finally being adjudicated in Honorable Judge Valentines court. It is imperative that the local communities who cherish their community roots to make a stand under the original grant land status to push the counties controls away from the historical grant land status. In 1848 the Treaty of Hidalgo and shortly after the Jose Manuel Sanchez Baca grant was established along with the territorial community ditch association of La Mesa. In 1902 the US Government created the Reclamation Act which in 1905 authorized the building of Elephant Butte Dam. The local communities and their water rights were held hostage by the federal government in court for years in US VS Rio Grande Dam and Irrigation Company which was formed in 1894 to develop more water for the community farms by building Elephant Butte Dam. The Reclamation service never complying with the law, all through the support of an illegal embargo, would take control of the Mesilla Valley and its water supply's for developers in Texas. EBID was formed under the Dona Ana County to develop lands which were not under cultivation at that time. The 1917 election favored those landowners who had no water rights over those who where under the historical community ditches. Still today there has not been a determination of these historical rights of Mesilla verses the new comers. After over 100 years this case is finally being adjudicated in Honorable Judge Valentines court. It is imperative that the local communities who cherish their community roots to make a stand under their original grant land status to push the counties controls away and re-establish the local rules and customs promised under the constitution of New Mexico and the Reclamation Act. Self rule can once again be reacquired as it is happening in many parts of Northern New Mexico. Asserting these historical community grant land rights and community ditches will preserve those land and water rights that are pre existing and build a more accountable legal political system to hold check the county's expansion over these sacred historical rights which built the communities of Mesilla Valley. see http://westernwatergate.org/index.php for more information.

Who is Royal Jones' advisors on this? Maybe he should consider that if people dont want to buy a house now, what makes him think flooding the market with 60 more lots is going to help. It seems very ill advised at this time. Sure he has the right to develop his property per county rules, but work with the community to help preserve its beauty (even if Chope's is the only thing worth anything there). How about a deal, Royal Jones remodel the Blue Jay ball park and La Mesan's support his development.

He thinks he's taking the money making way out - building overpriced houses with low quality materials that "look good". Look around you Mr. Jones how many empty new houses do you see sitting in subdivisions that aren't finished? His advisor's are either absent or intoxicated. Stick to the trucking business, sir.

"Jones contends his project does meet the technical requirements spelled out in county ordinances. "

Application denied enough said.