Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

A lawyer for American Legion Post 141 is speaking out against accusations by some Howell Township trustees that she's holding up a year-long dispute over parking lot gravel.

The township last year ticketed Post 141 for spreading rock into a right-of-way, without approval. Attorney Tara Pearson argues the Legion is not, and has no plans to expand its parking lot.

"Procedurally, once a ticket is written, you can admit or deny responsibility in writing, which is what I did," Pearson told WHMI News. "The next step is to turn it over to the district court, or not do anything. At this point, they are not doing anything."

"They could, I suppose, choose to dismiss the ticket. At this point, the Legion has no obligation to do anything, and will not be doing anything."

During a discussion last week on whether to dismiss the ticket, township officials blamed the lengthy feud on "getting the attorneys involved."

"I don't have any reason to hear back from the township's attorney," said Pearson. "If the township's attorney chooses to turn the matter over to the district court, that is the next step. He has not done that, which tells me that it is not being pursued."

The Howell Township Board meets again July 14.