Reviewing comments from local entities, the common threads appear to be the need for better communication between government and business and increased local and regional marketing efforts.

CURRENT ASSESSMENT

Mesilla has a limited retail business base of restaurants and gift shops and both are experiencing a downturn due to people holding onto their money and less tourists driving due to gasoline. When surrounding areas suffer, Mesilla will suffer.
– Jerry Harrell, Double Eagle Restaurant

Recently the Mesilla gross receipts tax was increased to .07625 percent, the highest amount charged in the region. This may initially produce additional revenue for the town and state, however, it is a deterrent for retail sales when just down the street the sales tax is less.
– Bob Skolnick, Publisher

Our higher gross receipt taxes and minimum wage increases have made us more aware of our costs. We have had to absorb some of the cost increases in order to keep people coming through our doors.
– Kathleen Foreman, Josephina’s Gate Café & Historic Inn

Eating and shopping in our wonderful town is down and needs to be “re-energized.” Big government is not bailing out ‘small businesses’ who assume risks daily—yet we are time and time again being asked to accept more of the burden through increased regulation, increased taxation and increases in minimum wage.
– Jerean & Tom Hutchinson, La Posta Restaurant

TOWN OF MESILLA PERSONNEL CUTS

Cuts in hours and pay may be a temporary fix, but it is a significant long-term risk. One of the greatest assets of a business or a government office is the people it has attracted and trained. Cuts will risk those peoples’ assets, and replacement staff for those who might leave will be less effective in the short term. Did the pay cut influence the recent turnover in the Marshall’s office?
– Bob Skolnick, Publisher

I’m sure it was difficult for the Town to take the pay cuts. With reduced hours at city hall and the visitor center, it hurts all of us since it is more difficult for tourists to receive information.
– Kathleen Foreman, Josephina’s Gate Café & Historic Inn

Pay cuts for The Town of Mesilla was sad, but I was proud of officials and employees for taking the action.
– Jerry Harrell, Double Eagle Restaurant

Cutting hours and pay for employees and elected officials was a last-resort action, but had to be done. I leaned toward cutting hours rather than employees.
– Lucas Arzabal, Town of Mesilla Trustee

IMPROVEMENTS

You have to water the crops if you want to enjoy the fruits of the harvest. Tourism and local retail shopping and restaurant sales revenue is not guaranteed. As retail in other regional areas grows and other communities promote their tourism assets, the level of retail activity in Mesilla will likely decrease if Mesilla is not heavily promoted. There is competition for these dollars. It has to be worked at by both the businesses and local residents through their government. If the residents of Mesilla (I am among them) want to keep property taxes low (which I do), then we need to nurture the retail source of revenue. This can be accomplished without turning Mesilla into “Disneyland.” The money to run the Town of Mesilla has to come from somewhere. No bail out here. The future is in our hands.
– Bob Skolnick, Publisher

The Town officials need to promote Mesilla…in New Mexico Magazine, Travelhost and Las Cruces magazine.
– D. Van Der Leelie, Crystal Star Gifts

I would like to see the Town Board work more closely with merchants. Perhaps brainstorming workshops to see what could be done collectively to make Old Mesilla better than ever before. We need to create the WOW factor when you drive into the plaza.
– Janyce Leone, Solamente de Mesilla

Town officials are stuck with the need to increase the flow of visitors, which has never been a popular idea with local residents, the Mesilleros. Restaurants and retail taxes pay the vast majority of the town expenses, so perhaps it is time for a property tax increase, which hasn’t been raised since the 1950s. It would be too bad if the Town’s good employees began leaving due to the cuts.
– Jerry Harrell, Double Eagle Restaurant

We need to combine our efforts to draw people to Mesilla. The merchants need to have a healthier relationship with the Town of Mesilla, perhaps including business people on some of the boards and more involvement by the Board with the business organization. Our web site needs attention and signs should be more colorful. Each of us brings unique and special things to the table, and if we work together we can accomplish a lot.
– Kathleen Foreman, Josephina’s Gate Café & Historic Inn

The Mesilla website and maps for tourists need to be updated. Perhaps the village could get rid of a few patrol cars to help their budget.
– Al Fountain, El Patio Bar

The Town of Mesilla should take a more positive stance in working collaboratively with the businesses of Mesilla, more actively promote Mesilla and reduce the regulatory burdens placed on small businesses. I believe the town should look for additional revenue streams, such as an increase in personal property taxes, that haven’t been raised since the 1950s!!

Since the small businesses of Mesilla tend to be the predominant economic engine and fiscal foundation for the town – a more collaborative and cooperative “spirit” of inclusion with the businesses would be beneficial to all. Mesilla businesses contribute significantly to the monetary lifeblood of the town – not to mention the philanthropic contributions as well. I believe that the town should be pro-active in marketing the town to the residents, Las Cruces and tourists alike. Regardless of whether or not we have “lodgers monies” – a line item for “marketing” should be required…if we do not remind people that we are here, they won’t visit. Small businesses cannot do it by themselves… We all love Mesilla – let’s work together for a real change.
– Jerean & Tom Hutchinson, La Posta Restaurant

The town could name a task force to come up with ideas that would draw more visitors from Las Cruces and El Paso. I am concerned about town employees being on a 32-hour workweek. It may be better to eliminate a few jobs.
– Rev. Richard Catanach, Pastor of The Basilica of San Albino

The Board of Trustees committed to meet with business owners to discuss ideas. It is very important that we work together to overcome the crisis that we are facing. The Town of Mesilla relies heavily on Gross Receipts Taxes generated by local businesses, and so it is my position that we need to be especially business friendly during this recovery period.
– Lucas Arzabal, Town of Mesilla Trustee