Curry man in midst of property battle

CLOVIS — A Curry County man is in the middle of an unusual property battle with Catron County that has stretched for nearly four years.

Greg Nash, who lives north of Ranchvale, owns about 280 acres of mostly farmland in Catron County, which is in western New Mexico. Less than a fifth of an acre is at dispute. A Thursday hearing, Nash concedes, is likely his final legal maneuver remaining, “but you never know.”

Nash contends a man who claimed to own the disputed small parcel fraudulently sold it to Catron County, which then constructed several buildings on the property. Once Nash discovered the county had put buildings on his property, he notified a county commissioner of the error and suggested a land trade. He was told he’d have to go to court on it.

He and spouse Susie Nash filed suit in 2017, and the district court dismissed it. The dismissal was upheld in the New Mexico Court of Appeals and New Mexico Supreme Court, and Nash said the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

Thursday’s hearing covers a restraining order against Nash, who last week put fencing around his property — including the parcel in question. The restraining order requires Nash to cease and desist constructing fence on the property relevant to the case and remove any fencing already erected there.

Nash said he has been told the issue with the fencing is it blocks emergency vehicle access. However, his son Garrett — who works with the Tucumcari Fire Department — plans to testify as an expert witness that the fencing has adequate access for such vehicles.

During the hearing, Greg Nash plans to show the judge the original property deed and survey, and he is hoping the judge will require the county to offer some type of settlement.

“It’s been tough, and costly,” Nash said. “The land is probably worth $30,000 or $40,000, maybe, and I’ve spent close to $100,000. It’s a matter of principle is what I’m after.”

Catron County Manager Bill Green declined comment, noting county policy to not comment on pending litigation.