Water case stays put

During a proceeding Thursday morning in Mono County Superior Court, counsel representing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in pending litigation against the Mammoth Community Water District abandoned a change of venue motion.

Before a packed gallery of more than 75 locals, environmental groups and MCWD staff, attorneys for DWP instead described public concern for a venue change as “very apparent,” and stipulated to a provision in the Civil Code that would allow the case to be heard before a neutral judge in Mono County, as opposed to a previous suggestion of Fresno.

Presiding Judge Stan Eller said he’s been in contact with the Administrative Office of the Courts in Sacramento to secure an outside judge by May 10.

MCWD General Manager Greg Norby and Board member Tom Cage both expressed satisfaction with the results. “Having a room full of people probably didn’t hurt,” Cage added.