Mr. Owens,

“Here today and gone tomorrow?”

Representatives and priorities change frequently within local governments. Director of the Outer Banks Conservationists John Wilson’s grandparents were born and lived at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse (CBLH).

Thus, he and his family have been serving the CBLH in various capacities for many, many years. How many county commissioners, representatives of Currituck County, have been there for that amount of time serving the lighthouse?

The board of directors of the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society finds the reasoning for transfer to the local government – “because the Currituck Beach Lighthouse would be a ‘valuable addition to the Currituck County Whalehead Clubhouse property’” irrelevant.

Moreover, the issue that the Outer Banks Conservationists (OBC) directors don't reside in Currituck County, though they have at least one full-time staff member "keeper" who does, has never seemed to disturb anyone in Currituck County while hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for the care of this magnificent lighthouse one and two decades ago.

OBC's presence prevented vandalism of this once-remote historical building and the meticulous care that OBC has given this structure shines in its fine appearance. If the local government takes over, we fear that no one will recognize the place in ten years.

The historical meaning of the CBLH in embodied in the structure itself, not as part of an adjacent property or festival park.

You do not mention the "value" of the lighthouse, which the lighthouse community measures in historical context, not dollars; additionally, you express concern where a successful steward lives instead of expressing appreciation (much more than they "have done a great job"--this is MUCH more than a job) to OBC for the years of struggle and emotional expense to make the light station the tremendous draw for Currituck County that it is today.

Few people outside the lighthouse community have any idea what stewardship of a tall coastal lighthouse that is opened for climbing to the public demands -- physically, emotionally, mentally, and monetarily. Anyone not understanding the previous sentence and all the nuances involved has no business making any decisions to disturb the current and highly successful job that OBC is doing or to prevent OBC from taking permanent stewardship of the CBLH for which they passionately care.

Fortunately OBC has the Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, legislation supported by NC Congressman Walter Jones, to support its deserving stewardship.

Sincerely,
Cheryl Roberts
Cofounder and President
Outer Banks Lighthouse Society