BY BRENDAN O'BRIEN
Journal Times | Posted: Friday, August 10, 2007 12:00 am
WIND POINT - A committee has been given the tall task of deciphering through scores of résumés submitted by those interested in becoming the Wind Point Lighthouse caretaker.
A total of 159 candidates will be narrowed to about 10 who will be interviewed by the Caretaker Search Committee that consists of students, members of the Village Board, Friends of the Wind Point Lighthouse and community members.
"We have a good profile on the committee," Deputy Village Clerk John Schmit, a member of the committee, said Friday. "It's interesting when we take a poll who they think are outstanding."
A candidate, who is expected to be chosen by the end of August, will replace Jeff and Melissa Peterson. The Petersons have been caring for the lighthouse for the last five years.
"I looking for somebody who loves or who can learn to love lighthouses, willing to maintain the property … which includes a couple of bathrooms and is cordial and friendly when they are around and to greet the people and make them feel welcome," Schmit said. "We have people streaming through here all day long, everyday."
Schmit, who is a member of the Friends of the Wind Point Lighthouse board, refused to indicate details about his favorite candidates. He said however the committee must decide whether a single individual, a couple, a family or a retiree is the best fit for the job.
"If I were to (say) what my personal preferences were in each of those areas then I would really be prejudicing (the process)," Schmit said.
A restoration project closed the lighthouse two weeks ago. Work on the 127-year-old, 112-foot beacon is expected to be complete by the end of October.
"It is an exciting time for such an exciting topic," Schmit said.