To the Editor:

The headline atop page 3 of the Warwick Beacon on August 31, 2006 declared, "Citizens' group to explore uses for Conimicut Lighthouse." This was one year after the City of Warwick had been "handed the keys and deed to Conimicut Shoals Lighthouse," and after Mayor Scott Avedisian's executive order had established the Conimicut Lighthouse Foundation to be chaired by Conimicut's city Councilman Joseph Solomon (D-Ward 4).

According to the Beacon's 2006 story, Councilman Solomon had a wonderful vision for the lighthouse. It included "a pier extending from Conimicut Point to the lighthouse, enabling all visitors to access this piece of Warwick history, to fish, walk around the lighthouse, (and to) participate in the magnetic aura."

Being a realist, Solomon admitted back then that a smaller vision might be more achievable - perhaps a barge or ferry trips to the lighthouse from Conimicut Point Park, but he seemed adamant that something had to be done to allow Warwick citizens and visitors to take advantage of the wonderful addition to the city's property holdings. He told the Beacon, "It is good to dream. If we didn't dream, maybe Warwick couldn't own this historic treasure."

Solomon's persistence, along with the persistence of city employees Meg Brugeman and Rick Crenca of the Planning Department, formed the catalyst that convinced the federal government to cede the lighthouse to Warwick. Their efforts and the anticipated efforts of the newly appointed Conimicut Lighthouse Foundation seemed to guarantee that in a few short years the historic lighthouse would indeed be open to the public in some fashion.

Warwick residents and state officials seemed excited about the lighthouse's prospects back in 2006 and initial planning produced great results. In short order, donations started coming in to the lighthouse foundation. To push the project along, the U.S. government awarded a $560,000 grant from the federal Transportation Enhancement Program that would be administered by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

Momentum was building. Surely, it seemed, Councilman Solomon's vision would become reality.

But then the momentum died. Years went by and nothing happened. Not only did progress stop, it went backward. For some reason, the state diverted the $560,000 to other needs, presumable transportation needs – perhaps because Warwick's interest in the lighthouse had waned.

Did the Conimicut Lighthouse Foundation disband? If not, what has it accomplished and where does it stand in its efforts to renovate Conimicut Lighthouse and open it to the public? Where does Warwick stand regarding funding for the lighthouse? Is it possible to get a new lighthouse restoration grant from the federal government? Have Warwick officials sought such a grant?

Perhaps more important questions are: Were the 12 years of lost time a result of disagreements between the City Council and the Mayor? Did Warwick lose the $560,000 because of political turf issues? And, now that former Councilman Solomon is the Acting Mayor – and possibly the next elected mayor, will he be able to get the lighthouse restoration and access project back on track?

Conimicut Point Park has always been the "black sheep" among the Warwick family of parks. Oakland Beach Park gets far more attention and money than does Conimicut's seaside park. City Park has always been a city government favorite for upkeep and improvements. And, now that Rocky Point Park is open to the public, it's maintenance and improvements will further reduce the money and efforts devoted to its "poor relative," Conimicut Point Park.

Conimicut residents have hoped for over a decade that opening Conimicut Shoals Lighthouse to the public, with its concomitant increase in Warwick and out-of-city visitors, would result in Conimicut Point Park getting a bit more attention from city officials. That it would result in a cleaner, better maintained park. That hope has withered over the years as the lighthouse efforts have seemingly disappeared.

Let's hope the new mayor will answer these questions, resurrect or re-energize the Conimicut Lighthouse Foundation, and push very hard to finally realize his long ago dream.

Lonnie Barham

Warwick