From Staff Reports

MAGGIE VALLEY — Following a year and a half of legal clashes, a state business court judge — in Haywood County Superior Court — on May 16 dismissed Jill McClure’s lawsuit to dissolve Ghost Town in the Sky, LLC, owner of a defunct amusement park. 

“The verdict leaves managing partner (and develepor) Frankie Wood with almost complete authority to manage any future developments on Buck Mountain in Maggie Valley,” The (Waynesville) Mountaineer reported on May 22.

The case — Jill McClure, plaintiff, vs. Ghost Town in the Sky, LLC, defendant — was heard by Adam M. Conrad, special superior court judge for complex business cases.

McClure, the park’s other 50 percent co-owner, had sought to dissolve Ghost Town in the Sky, LLC, pending her motion for summary judgment.

The court denied her motion and granted summary judgment in favor of Ghost Town in the Sky. “The conclusion, this claim is dismissed with prejudice,” court documents stated.”The court also denies McClure’s motion to strike as moot. No issues or claims remain for trial. Accordingingly, this is a final order and judgment disposing of all issues in this action.”

Meanwhile, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on May 24 that  the judge “ruled that the company was too young to warrant dissolution of the partnership between current owners Frankie Wood and Jill McClure, the niece of the late Alaska Presley -- the former owner of the park.

“The park is currently co-owned by developer Frankie Wood and Jill McClure, the niece of the late Alaska Presley, who was the former Ghost Town owner.”

Reportedly, McClure filed a lawsuit to dissolve the partnership, so that she could sell the property.

In the aftermath of the judge’s decision dismissing her lawsuit, McClure said she hopes that she and Wood can work together for a positive outcome for the site, as expressed in the following statement she issued on May 24:

“Unfortunately, the judge determined that the company was too young to warrant dissolution and ordered that Frankie (Wood) and I remain partners.

“Hopefully, we can work together and he (Wood) will be willing to meet any reasonable expectations that I have of him as the managing member — and there will be a positive outcome.”

Regarding the history of Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park, News 13 stated. “The mountaintop amusement park closed more than 20 years ago, with parts of it reopening for short periods since then by a series of different owners.”