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American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 565
Rockland,
Maine 04841
Phone: 207-594-4174
Fax: 207-596-1091
info@lighthousefoundation.org
The American Lighthouse Foundation is a
Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to the
preservation of America's historic
lighthouses & lightships and
their heritage.
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The Fight to Save New Canal Lighthouse
Carries On
By Bob Trapani, Jr.
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As time marches on and other stories grip the our
attention on the national scene, we often forget that when a catastrophe
like Hurricane Katrina disappears from being covered on television or in
magazines, that the massive challenges associated with the recovery of
the region continue day after day. |
Fox News Photo |
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What some folks might consider “old news” is actually a constantly unfolding
story of selflessness, sacrifice, initiative, leadership and ongoing heroism
You might say that some of the best attributes of the human spirit are hard
at work each day in the Gulf region rebuilding the lives of individuals and
communities that have lost everything – mostly beyond the lens of a camera
or the lights of television crews. Despite coping with devastation, many
lighthouse preservationists in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and
Alabama are somehow finding time to focus on the structural needs of their
beloved beacons as they simultaneously attend to their shattered personal
lives.
The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, in an inspirational effort is
working feverishly to save and rebuild the New Canal Lighthouse. Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita severely damaged the wooden lighthouse, leaving it standing
precariously in the wake of the storms. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin
Foundation (LPBF), which was working to obtain ownership of the lighthouse
from the federal government prior to the devastating storms, began a
spirited effort to cut through bureaucratic red tape that would enable the
nonprofit to stabilize the lighthouse. Though the beacon eventually
collapsed under its own weight from the storm damage that decimated its
foundation, the efforts to restore New Canal Lighthouse continue to move
ahead with the same determination and spunk that is systematically
rebuilding the Gulf region one day at time.
For those lighthouse preservationists around the country who haven’t
forgotten the plight of New Canal Light and continue to work with LPBF |
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LPBF Photo |
for the beacon’s restoration, their support is both
deeply appreciated and a steadfast comfort. Anne Rheams, Deputy Director
for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, says it all when she
recently commented on the support being provided by caring lighthouse
preservationists, saying, “Thank you for keeping up the fight for us.”
Over the last three months, the painstaking process of
moving the cumbersome wheel of progress with the federal government and
navigating a sea of bureaucratic red tape has continued. On March 7,
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2006 Ms. Rheams
reported that the LPBF met again with their lawyer on the all-important
lease agreement with the United States Coast Guard that would permit
restoration work to begin. “We have a few things we would like to add and
subtract from the document,” said Rheams. “Our lawyer is drafting a letter
to the USCG regarding our revisions. Keep your fingers crossed - we are
close.”
On
May 1, 2006 the LPBF was able to provide another update on the New Canal
Lighthouse project. The lease negotiations with the Coast Guard have been at
a standstill because of the complex legalities and regulations surrounding
the lighthouse’s plight, which has prompted the LPBF to pursue an
alternative option. According to Rheams, “We are now at the point where we
have had to propose legislation to our two U.S. Senators – David Vitter and
Mary Landrieu, as well as U.S. Representative Bobby Jindal, in order to
transfer ownership of the lighthouse to us.”
One
individual in the lighthouse community that has continued to shine like a
beacon when it comes to helping the LPBF navigate around the many obstacles
in an effort to save New Canal Lighthouse is Kathy Fleming, executive
director for the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida. “Kathy has blessed our
attempt at the transfer of the lighthouse through legislation,” says Rheams.
“She sees that this is an emergency!
Anne
Rheams went on to say, “We also have gotten the backing of the Lakeview
Civic Improvement Association, the immediate neighborhood |
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around New Canal that was devastated by the flood. They are looking
into funding sources and are ready to act politically when necessary. I
have not given up. Will let you know how the legislation goes.”
Thanks to the unwavering efforts of |
LPBF Photo |
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the
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and lighthouse preservationists like
Kathy Fleming, not only does New Canal Light have committed champions
fighting for its restoration, but also their example of tenacity and resolve
is an inspiration to all members of the lighthouse preservation community as
we collectively work to preserve America’s lighthouse heritage. The next
time we think our favorite lighthouse preservation project is challenging
and demanding remember our friends like those from the LPBF in Louisiana who
are rebuilding their personal lives and saving a lighthouse at the same time
– not to mention “painting” a picture of dedication that can serve as
inspiration to all of us.
To
learn more about the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and their efforts
to save New Canal Lighthouse, visit:
www.saveourlake.org/lighthouse |
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