Working to keep the lights on | Journal-news | journal-news.net

MIDDLEWAY—A baker’s dozen of historic streetlights line the streets in the village of Middleway that provide light to the residents there. Once a project of long-time residents Elsie Mae Dunlap and her sister who worked fund the cost of the power, the future of the lights now stand in question. Dunlap, who passed way several years ago, had bequeathed some funds to continue to pay for the operation of the lights that she had worked so hard to keep going during her lifetime; however, the funds are dwindling. Middleway residents are now banding together to keep the lights on.

A committee that includes Jefferson County Commissioner Mike Mood and resident Kevin McCormack, has worked to raise some funds to ensure that the lights remain on at least in the short term. They have worked with the Middleway Conservancy, who does not oversee the lights but rather focuses on the village itself, to try and determine a path forward.

On Sunday, a soup and dessert meal was hosted at the Middleway Volunteer Fire Department, with all funds raised to go toward the lights.

“It’s time to determine what is the next chapter for the lights,” said James Grantham, who has been in charge of the funds for the power. “It’s about $120 a month to keep the lights on,” he said Sunday adding that the goal is for the community to have more say in what becomes of the lights.

“The goal,” commented Conservancy President Jessie Norris, “is to have one time per year to earn enough to handle the cost.” She added that there is also a discussion to be had on how the lights should be handled moving forward. She and Grantham explained that some of the lights are old-style with bulbs that are no longer able to be replaced. Some of the lights are older than others and the power company has replaced some of them over the years when the original lights could not be repaired or replaced.

“The community has to have this discussion,” Norris said, adding that it needs to be determined if they community wants to continue to keep the lights on at all. As one who does ghost tours in the village, Norris said that without the lights, it would be terrifying to do the tours. “They are there for safety and for looks,” she said.

Several hundred dollars were raised Sunday that will ensure that the lights will remain on for a few more months at least. In the meantime, Mood and McCormack are looking for others who have an interest in serving on the light committee to determine from the entire community what the goal should be in the long-term. Those who have an interest in serving or offering suggestions can reach out to Mood at the fire station.

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