Florida To Get Lighthouse Plate
By Sue Clark on May 21, 2008 in News 
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Governor Signs License Plate Bill
Florida has become one of the growing list of states that support lighthouses through the sale of a specialty license plate honoring our beloved beacons. Governor Charlie Crist signed the measure into law on May 19, with the proceeds from the sale ($25 per plate per year) going to help restore and preserve 29 of Florida’s lighthouses. The Florida Lighthouse Association, created in 1996 as a consortium of the individual lighthouse organizations and interested individuals from across Florida and the nation, was the prime mover behind this plate. The project was created in honor of a recently deceased president of their association, Gene Oakes.
A Long and Expensive Process
Creating a specialty plate in Florida is no easy (or cheap matter). According to a story on the plate at the TCPalm site, groups hoping to land a license plate must shell out $60,000 for the application. Next, they have to document that they can sell at least 30,000 plates. That requires a statewide survey that costs about $15,000. The governor and cabinet must approve the final design.
With as many specialty plates as Florida has, that is some pretty impressive fund raising. The money will go to the Florida Lighthouse Association, which can use up to 10 percent of proceeds to market the plates. What is so amazing is that the FLA is a group without paid staff or administration.
“I don’t know if people realize how difficult this was,” said FLA president Stan. Farnham. “To have the governor finally sign off on this is thrilling.”
Apparently the fate of the license plate was in question for a time, according to the story. During the recent legislative session, lawmakers included it with other (more controversial) plate ideas that threatened to kill the bill. Ultimately, the plate was approved, along with one honoring Florida tennis, one for a nonprofit that helps at-risk youth and for another group, In God We Trust, that provides scholarships for children of U.S. military personnel.
Note that though the story refers to Jupiter Inlet, it is only one of the 29 remaining lighthouses in Florida that will benefit, thanks to the efforts of the Florida Lighthouse Association.
Photo credit: Lighthouse Plate from staugustinelighthouse. Some rights reserved.
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