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November 1, 2000

Benzie to run lighthouse temporarily

- County commission taking temporary control during land transfer that could take two years

By STACEY SMITH
Record-Eagle staff writer
 Record-Eagle staff writer
      FRANKFORT - Responding to a Nov. 15 deadline imposed by the U.S. Coast Guard, Benzie County commissioners have agreed to take at least temporary control of Pt. Betsie Lighthouse.
      The Coast Guard is in the process of transferring the vacant lighthouse and 3.5 acres of property to the Bureau of Land Management. While the transfer is taking place, though, the Coast Guard has pushed for the county or another organization to assume responsibility for maintenance and minor repairs to the structure and grounds.
      If the county was unwilling to act as temporary groundskeepers, Coast Guard officials said they would find another organization to do the job.
      In a letter to county commission chairperson Mary Pitcher earlier this month, Frank Blaha, commanding officer with the Coast Guard Cleveland unit, said the county had until Nov. 15 to make a commitment to the temporary care of the lighthouse.
      "In lieu of the commitment, we will have little alternative other than to consider the involvement of others to support the Pt. Betsie Lightstation," Blaha wrote.
      Earlier this year, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association expressed interest in a short-term license to maintain the property. The county blocked that attempt by asking Coast Guard officials to give it more time to make a decision.
      The county also enlisted the help of state Rep. David Mead, Congressman Bart Stupak and U.S. senators Carl Levin and Spence Abraham in asking Coast Guard officials to delay their decision.
      Obtaining a short-term license to maintain the lighthouse allows the county to "maintain control and be more prepared for the long-term," said county commission chair Mary Pitcher.
      After the Coast Guard transfers the lighthouse to the Bureau, the Bureau then will transfer it to another government entity or a non-profit organization.
      The county has been looking into taking ownership of the lighthouse, but has not made a decision.
      The Lighthouse Keepers have prepared "a very comprehensive plan" for the long-term ownership of the lighthouse, said Association president Dick Moehl.
      The Association would like to take ownership of the lighthouse, but would be supportive of the county if it puts together a good plan, Moehl said.
      "Whatever is the best thing for the asset is our goal," Moehl said. "This is a very special place and we want to make sure that it's properly maintained."
      County commissioners estimate it will take about two years for ownership of the lighthouse to pass from the Coast Guard to the Bureau and then to another group.