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New Jersey now becomes the first state in the nation to have two lighthouse license plates. Both houses of the New Jersey State Legislature passed by unanimous vote to approve a second lighthouse license plate for the state. The bill was signed into law by Governor Christine Whitman.
The new plate will honor the 1868 Tucker's Island Lighthouse, which was swept into the ocean in 1928. Funds raised from the sale of the plate will go to the Baymen's Heritage toward their efforts in building a Maritime Cultural Center which will cover 40 acres along Tuckerton Creek. Part of the project will be the building of an exact replica of the Tucker's Island Lighthouse. New Jersey's other specialty plate, features their famous Barnegat Lighthouse.
Everybody knew it was just a matter of time for Michigan to join the ranks of the other states with lighthouse license plates. After all, with 116 lighthouses, and a major drive by the states tourism industry to promote its lighthouses, the state was way overdue for a lighthouse plate.
The legislation introduced by Rep. Pat Gagliardi would use money from the special lighthouse plate to set up a fund to help preserve and restore the Michigan's historic beacons. Also, there is currently a strong movement in Maryland for a state lighthouse plate and its supporters are confident that it's only a matter of time.
Some of the other states that already have lighthouse license plates include, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and New York.
In Maine last year, thanks to the efforts of one powerful Maine senator, the state legislature of "The Lighthouse State" coldly rejected a lighthouse plate. This came about even though nearly every newspaper and television station in the state issued editorials in favor of a lighthouse plate and the State House of Representatives voted in favor of the plate. Petitions were signed and many junior high school students were actively involved in the legislative process which was stopped in the states Senate.
Apparently the old saying "As Maine goes, so goes the nation", was forgotten in the back rooms of Maine's state capitol.
Fortunately the Maine tourism industry doesn't think the same way. They recently launched a national advertising campaign inviting people to visit Maine and "We'll leave the light on for you," featuring a beautiful color photograph of a lighthouse. Another ad featuring a lighthouse says, "With 64 lighthouse to guide the way, you won't get lost in Maine, unless, of course, you want to."
Most states are now realizing the importance of lighthouses to tourism. People are planning their vacations around them, getting married at them, having family reunions at them, buying lighthouse products in record numbers, and many people are even having their ashes scattered at them.
Shame to the Governor and legislature of Maine for not using one of the state's greatest resources to promote the state.
Congratulations to the states of Michigan and Maryland, and especially to New Jersey for leading the way.
To the state of Maine, it's not too late. The legislature is in session and maybe someone in Augusta will take the initiative.
This story appeared in the April 1998 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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