NATCHEZ &8212; A complaint against the city has become a tough nut to crack.

A small group of citizens Friday appealed Circuit Judge Forrest &8220;Al&8221; Johnson&8217;s Nov. 17 ruling in favor of the city regarding the sale of the old Natchez Pecan Shelling Company.

The Mississippi Supreme Court will decide whether or not to hear the case.

Johnson ruled in favor of the city, saying the board of aldermen had acted properly in its sale of the property.

The original appeal against the city argued the city sold the land to condominium developers for less than it had been appraised, among other things.

Gwen Ball, one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement Monday that the plaintiffs are appealing because &8220;we contend the city did not follow the rules and regulations as set out by state and local law.&8221;

In the statement, Ball said the piece of public property was very valuable and belonged to all citizens of Natchez.

&8220;In our opinion, this city council has been arrogant in circumventing the rule of law in this and other matters which have come before them,&8221; Ball said. &8220;It is our duty as citizens to participate in and scrutinize local government decisions regarding our public assets.&8221;

Condo developer Larry Brown, not directly involved in the suit, said he felt badly for the city because of revenue lost while the suit took its course.

&8220;I think the actions are frivolous and are without standing,&8221; Brown said. &8220;They should be held accountable for the loss of business and loss of progress at a time we so desperately need it.&8221;

Brown said he and developer Ed Worley own the property and have a deed from the city.

&8220;We&8217;re committed to that project,&8221; Brown said. &8220;If we&8217;re delayed a little bit longer, it&8217;s not the end of the world for us. As soon as we get all this taken care of and our people give us the OK to go ahead, we will do so.&8221;

Mayor Phillip West said the appeal was something he had anticipated.

&8220;I was disappointed but not surprised,&8221; West said Monday. &8220;Of course, there will always be some people who oppose progress in any community.&8221;

West said he thought the delay of the condo development was hurting the city financially.

&8220;The longer it takes for this development to go forward, the city continuously loses revenue that it would otherwise be receiving,&8221; he said. &8220;It&8217;s just sad that there are people more interested in self-interest than they are in the community.&8221;