Kathie Reece-McNeill owns the historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif., and is carefully restoring the Route 66 landmark.

However, her pocketbook is lighter after fighting a lawsuit that alleged Americans with Disabilities Act violations, reports the Sacramento Bee. Reece-McNeill rebutted attempts to settle out of court, and she won the lawsuit. But the battle cost her $100,000.

Irene Meola was the plaintiff, and she ultimately lost because the judge found her statements to be inconsistent during court proceedings. Regrettably, Reece-McNeill was unable to recoup her legal fees because Meola’s statements were not ruled as “intentional deceit.”

If I ever establish a Route 66 Hall of Shame, Meola will be on the list. One hundred thousand clams is a lot of money that could have been better-used for preservation.

Meanwhile, Reece-McNeill is made of tough stuff. She’s continuing with the hotel’s renovations, and she’s also formed an Access Without Lawsuits group to help business owners achieve disabilities access and lobbying the state legislature to find better solutions to the problem.

A reader pointed out this article Thursday from the Daily Oklahoman in which the City of Bethany, Okla., is trying to shut down the Western Motel on Route 66.

The motel, which was built at 7600 NW 39th in 1953, was declared a public nuisance by the city council after complaints of prostitution there. According to the report, a motel manager was arrested in a prostitution sting operation.

Owner Ken Patel says the city has tried to buy the property from him before, and that he will fight the city’s action.

Here’s an old postcard image of the motel in its heyday. The neon sign is still there.

Call up the mayor and city council at 405-789-5005 (both are at the same number) and let them know that tearing down a historic motel is not an option. Politely urge the mayor and council to explore other options that keep this Route 66 landmark standing. Other contact numbers for the City of Bethany can be found here.