Roma, Escobares spar over city limits

ESCOBARES — The residents of the area known as “Old Escobares” are caught between Roma and Escobares in more ways than one.

The newer version of the town traces its roots back to the 1700s, but only incorporated in 2005. When it did, it included Old Escobares.

Roma says Old Escobares is actually theirs — the area is included in Roma’s extra territorial jurisdiction which is one mile around its city limits.

The two towns tried negotiating, but Roma eventually sued Escobares. The judge decided in Roma’s favor, but set an April 26 court date to decide where, exactly, the Escobares city limits should be.

“This is a setback for them and proves we are right,” said Cris Salinas, Roma’s city manager.

Escobares says it’s not over yet.

“The battle has just begun,” said Jaccqueline Salinas, attorney for the city of Escobares.

Despite Roma’s jurisdictional claim, Escobares officials say the area belongs with them because it includes a cemetery and church that Escobares residents use.

“What about us?” said Alfredo Escobar, who lives in Old Escobares and wants to formally be part of Escobares. “We are the people that live (here) do we have a say so?” he said as he pointed to a protest sign he made: “Unincorporated community held hostage”

Old Escobares resident Roberto Ramirez disagreed, saying he preferred paying taxes to Roma and thinks everything “is a mess right now.”

Roma offered to let Escobares have Old Escobares as long as Roma could then surround the city, but Escobares officials declined.

“We gave them everything in a silver platter, but they rejected the offer because one of their compadres was not included in the offer,” said Roma’s city manager.

Escobares Mayor Noel Escobar said Roma’s offer did not include property Escobares officials felt belonged with that town, including land owned by Nazario Lopez.

“Roma is trying to take our identity, we belong to the city of Escobares and we want to belong to Escobares” said Nazario Lopez, who lives in Lopez Street named after his dad Nazario Lopez.

Cris Salinas, Roma’s city manager, disagreed.

“We are not taking nobody’s identity, they will continue to be Old Escobares while in our ETJ, the same as Los Morenos continues to be Los Morenos even though they are now part of Escobares.”

But since the lawsuit is between Roma and Escobares, the residents of Old Escobares will not be represented at the April 26 hearing.

“What about our feelings?” said Maribel Salinas, an Old Escobares resident and Escobares’ city secretary

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Martha L. Hernández covers Mission, western Hidalgo County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4846