LAKEPORT >> Lake County Superior Court judge Andrew Blum this week ruled against a family seeking to block vehicle access to a portion of Mt. Konocti County Park.
Mike Fowler and Emily Ford filed suit against the county in 2012, partway through a pilot run of Lake Transit Authority buses to Wright Peak. The program was intended to allow elderly and others unable to hike the trail access to the peak.
“It’s been a long time coming — we’re delighted,” said Tom Nixon, who with Lake County Public Services Director Caroline Chavez approached the Board of Supervisors with the idea for a bus program.
Nixon also testified in court.
Fowler originally sold the land to the county for the creation of a park, keeping a parcel for the family home. As part of the sales agreement, the county maintained road easements for construction, repair and other uses. The court determined the county had the authority to grant limited access for other purposes.
Fowler and Ford sued in October of 2012, just after the pilot program began, arguing that tour vehicles were not part of their understanding with the county.
“We were never able to complete the pilot program,” Nixon said.
The Fowler family has the right to appeal. The Board of Supervisors agreed only to a pilot program in 2012. For the transit rides to resume, the park would again need to approach the transit authority and the board.
