sillz wrote:
Does anyone have advice on how to approach this issue from the
perspective of local politics or government?

Hire an attorney to search the Courthouse land records to verify that
a recorded easement actually exists. If it does, your attorney will
know what to do next. It won't be all that difficult. If it doesn't,
be glad you had access while it lasted, accept the owner's right to
her property and get a key. A prescriptive easement is very difficult
(maybe impossible in this case) to obtain.

Rick