County supervisor blasts Fremont on public-access controversy over rancher's gate

"Supervisor David Haubert told this news organization that Fremont officials are making a big deal out of nothing in their ongoing effort to bring down the gate constructed by Christopher George, CEO of mortgage lender CMG Financial, that currently blocks about 1,000 feet of public roadway in front of George's property. While the county's Board of Supervisors previously ceded its partial responsibility for the road to George, the city maintains that Fremont still controls the right of way and that George cannot block access to it."

"During busy days at the nearby Vargas Plateau Regional Park, many visitors previously used the disputed roadway to park and access the surrounding trails when the public lot was full. City officials are threatening to fine George, who herds bison on his property, at least $100 for every day that the gate remains up. George has appealed the city's order, with a public hearing on the matter tentatively set for March 16."

"But Haubert says the city has no right to criticize George's decisions about a road to which they've never, ever, ever paid any attention and that they should cede stewardship of the small stretch of roadway to George, as the county did since Fremont officials will only continue to ignore it. They've never chip sealed it, they've never cleaned the gutters, they've never removed litter, they've never enforced late-night activity, Haubert told this news organization. They've never paid one iota of attention to this road."

Christopher George, CEO of CMG Financial, constructed a gate blocking about 1,000 feet of a public roadway in front of his property, triggering a public-access dispute. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors previously ceded partial responsibility for the road to George, while the City of Fremont maintains control of the right of way and threatens at least $100 per day in fines. George appealed the city's order and a public hearing is tentatively set for March 16. Supervisor David Haubert accuses the city of neglecting road maintenance and urges ceding stewardship; Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan rejects that claim and says the city has maintained the right of way for 70 years.

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