City Uses Eminent Domain to Seize Moongate Water

Las Cruces City Hall

LAS CRUCES - If you are a customer of Moongate Water Co., you're water bill could drop, or so claims city Utilities Director Jorge Garcia.Mayor Ken Miyagishima, an insurance agent by trade, added that home owner insurance for Moongate customers could also also be cheaper if the city were to acquire the utility by condemnation through eminent domain, as the city council voted unanimously to do Monday.
    But the response from numerous Moongate customers who attended Monday's city council meeting was a flat, resounding "No."
    "We are appalled by the city's brazen move to steal our water company," said Ruth Barker, a 12-year Organ resident. "By taking this action, the city of Las Cruces is implying that they are running low on water. It is well known that the city has long since exhausted its surface water resources, which recharge slowly in this desert environment." Miyagishima and councilors Sharon Thomas, Gill Sorg, Nathan Small, Olga Pedroza and Dolores Connor listened politely to the naysayers, many who do not live within the city limits. But the council listened most to the advice of Kurt Wihl, an Albuquerque lawyer hired to represent the city in legal matters that deal with water. Read more here:

City Uses Eminent Domain to Seize Moongate Water