County to re-open East Fisher road closure

Lincoln County road crews will begin removing a road barrier later this summer on a public road after residents brought the issue to a recent commissioner’s meeting.

Residents told the commissioners that a fellow resident had blocked off a public road, claiming the county intended for the blockage.

Commissioner Mark Peck said it was the county’s understanding that the residents wanted the road blocked. He said County Road Department foreman Marc McCully believed it was a unanimous decision by the residents to keep the road closed when the county set up the blockade.

Peck said there was a misunderstanding between the residents, the property owner who has allegedly blocked the road and the commissioners. The property owner and residents apparently told commissioners that the current owner was allowing certain residents to pass on the road in emergency situations.

“McCully was under the impression that he wasn’t allowing everyone to use it so we’re going to open it back up,” McCully said.

Several residents called for the county to move swiftly in reopening the barrier. Several who live in the area would like the road opened to allow a shorter route to their homes.

“It ain’t like we’re abusing it and no one else can go through there,” one resident said. “We have not gone through there in 15 years.”

Another resident, who has family up the road, asked for the barrier to be removed before wildfire season begins climbing toward its peak.

“I have a daughter-in-law living with three little kids up there,” one resident said. “The Fisher River Fire Department, when they’ve come talked to us they said this is a way they’d be able to come in if they could protect the property. Time is, for my family’s sake, of the essence.”

Peck said county road crews are currently in the middle of several paving projects that are expected to take a few weeks. Afterward, the county crews will address the road closure, he said.

“With the knowledge we’ve got now, we’re going to re-open it,” Peck told the residents. “It’s got to get re-opened. I apologize for any confusion.”

Peck also discouraged residents from thinking that McCully was somehow involved with the property owner that closed the roads.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.