Limited access to lighthouse irks Fort Erie resident

RAY SPITERI
Local News - Thursday, May 24, 2007 @ 01:00

It's a national historic site and a beloved local treasure - and it's off limits to most of the public for all but eight days a year.

That's just one of the reasons Harvey Grenn is up in arms.

Renewal of a contract allowing public access to the Point Abino lighthouse was put on hold Monday after Grenn slammed the proposed agreement between the town and the Point Abino Association. He called the deal as drafted one-sided and unfair to the public.

Council voted to table for a week a staff report that called on council to establish a new, four-year deal with the association.

That contract would allow access along the privately-owned section of Point Abino Road South for maintenance and restoration of the lighthouse, as well as the continuation of public tours at the historic site from June through September. The previous contract, approved by council in 2005, expired in April.

The issue of limiting access to the lighthouse has been a sore point among Fort Erie residents for years.
On Monday, about 15 residents turned out to watch as the issue was discussed.

While the town purchased the lighthouse and keeper's dwelling from the federal government in 2003, the only road leading to it belongs to a number of homeowners, mostly Americans, who maintain a locked security gate at the entrance to the road.

Because of that, the town is required to sign a contract with the association to be granted access to the premises.

Grenn highlighted several clauses -drafted by the association and reviewed by town staff - where he claims to have found "many legal pitfalls."

The association wants an arrangement where it can limit public access to the lighthouse and require written permission for guests on each and every tour or visit to the site. The proposed contract would allow pedestrian access to the lighthouse, including bicycles and motorized handicap scooters, for a "limited number of guests during daylight hours in the summer."

Visitors would be required to sign personal injury and indemnification waivers and to wear guest passes while on tour.

"The mini-bus and trolley vehicles (used to transport guests to and from the lighthouse and keeper's dwelling, limited to a maximum of 20 passengers) are restricted to parking only on the property of the lighthouse station," said Grenn, a Crystal Beach resident and veterinarian.

"Is this not a prejudicial approach demanded by the (association)?

"What about parking for others, including the public, the (association) and the landowners?"

The association would allow for "unescorted walk-in access" to the lighthouse on weekends and weekdays, from June 21 to Labour Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a maximum of four round trips per tour date. In addition, school visits will be permitted from "time to time" during weekdays.

But the request for such visits would have to be submitted at least 72 hours in advance to the association.

"The (association) wishes to determine and influence the future of our Canadian generations," said Grenn. "Our children have a right of passage to learn about, see and appreciate our Canadian heritage sites."

Grenn requested the town's solicitor review the proposed contract, and possibly seek an independent legal opinion, before council considers approving it.

With councillors calling for more clarification, the report was tabled until council's next meeting Monday.

An access agreement, however, will need to be adopted soon to prepare for the Point Abino Lighthouse Tours scheduled for June 9 and 23, July 14 and 28, Aug. 11 and 25 and Sept. 8 and 22.


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Point Abino lighthouse should be open to all

Updated: 06/02/07 6:50 AM


After reading the article, “Fort Erie tackles issue of access to lighthouse,” in the May 28 Buffalo News, I was left with the belief that a complete review of the Point Abino Association and its contract with the Fort Erie Town Council is long overdue. It seems as if the homeowners have arbitrarily built a virtual wall around what they have long believed to be theirs. It is not theirs — those homes, the road and the incredible Point Abino lighthouse are all located on Canadian soil. It is the Canadian government that should regulate access to a Canadian national historic site, it’s that simple.

This issue is an insult to any individual — whether Canadian, American or any other citizenship. As a frequent visitor to that beautiful area, I am often dumbstruck that those gates will open to only a select few. That is elitism at its worst and should no longer be tolerated.

Bravo to Gary Skerrett! He and the entire Fort Erie Town Council have definitely shown the courage to tackle this longstanding issue, and I wish them well in their ongoing efforts.

Audrey M. Mangan

Buffalo


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