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Maine's lighthouses will now get some more public attention thanks in part to new legislation that was signed in law by Governor King.
The new law states that Governor King and all subsequent governors of Maine shall be required to issue proclamations that set aside the 3rd full week of June as Lighthouse Week in Maine. The law goes on to say that it urges "the people of the State to observe this week in suitable places and with appropriate ceremony and activity to honor and commemorate the important role of lighthouses in Maine's history."
Tim Harrison of the American Lighthouse Foundation in Wells, who was present at the signing and had testified at the hearings for the bill said, "Since Maine is so far behind other states in doing anything to help preserve its lighthouse heritage, this is an important first step for the state in rectifying that situation." He went on to explain how other states have come up with funds to help preserve their state's lighthouses, "...such as Michigan, which just awarded $115,000 in restoration funds to be split up among eight of their lighthouses."
Ken Black, founder of the Shore Village Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, went on to say that while Maine may not have the most lighthouses, we have the most historic ones. Continuing he said, "We have more stories of bravery, heroism, romance, and hardship associated with our lighthouses that anywhere else, primarily, because we have most of the oldest lighthouses in the nation."
Rep. Deborah McNeil of Rockland who was the primary sponsor of the bill said "Most of Maine's lighthouses are now managed by local communities and non profit groups, but these groups need money to restore and save these historic structures for future generations. The "Lighthouse Week" will help these groups draw public attention to lighthouses and the help needed to restore and maintain them."
As a memento of the occasion, The Friends of Rockland Breakwater presented Governor King with a lighted replica of their Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The replica is a new release from The Lefton Company, a manufacturer of lighthouse collectibles. The Governor said he was familiar with the lighthouse recalling the long walk on the breakwater to it. When asked if he had ever been inside the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, the Governor said he hadn't, to which a number of people replied inviting him out for a tour and to see the work they are doing to restore it.
Who knows, he might show up one day to give them a hand.
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For additional information contact:
Timothy Harrison
American Lighthouse Foundation
P.O. Box 889
Wells, Maine 04090
207-646-0515 office
207-676-3131 home
Timh@Lhdigest.com
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Rep. Deborah McNeil
67 Waldo Ave.
Rockland, Maine 04841
Fax 207-596-0186
mcneil@midcoast.com
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Dot Black
Friends of Rockland Breakwater
P.O. Box 741
Rockland, ME 04841
Ph # 207-785-4609
Dot@IME.net
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Caption 1
Governor Angus King is shown signing the Maine Lighthouse Week legislation into law. Behind him are members of the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) and the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (FRB) and legislature cosponsors. On the governors desk is a lighted replica of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which was presented to him as a memento of the occasion by the Friends of Rockland Breakwater. Left to right; Sandy Clement (FRB); Linda Muth (FRB); Senator Christine Savage; Timothy Harrison (ALF); Rep. Deborah McNeil; Senator Ken Lemont; Rep. Ron Collins; Dot Black (FRB); Ted Panayotoff (FRB); Pan Hooydonk (FRB) and Ken Black (ALF).
Photo By: Kathleen Finnegan
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Caption 2
Governor Angus King (c) with a Lefton replica of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse presented to him by Dot Black (l) and Pam Hooydonk (r) the co-chairs of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The Friends of Rockland Breakwater presented the lighthouse to the governor as a memento of his signing the Maine Lighthouse Week into law.
Photo By: Kathleen Finnegan
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Caption 3
Rep. Deborah McNeill of Rockland, Maine (second from left) is presented a Harbour Lights limited edition collectible replica of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse in appreciation for her efforts in introducing and getting the Maine Lighthouse Week enacted into law. Also shown, front row left is Pam Hooydonk of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater, Tim Harrison, second from right, of the American Lighthouse Foundation, Ted Panayotoff in lighthouse keepers hat (and back row left to right) Dot Black and Sandy Clement, of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater and Ken Black of the American Lighthouse Foundation.
Photo By: Kathleen Finnegan
Date Entered into online database: March 23, 2001
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