Treatment of Hereford ‘Friends’ Devastating

To the Editor: 
I first met Steve Murray in 1987, and we have been together for 30 years. Since North Wildwood purchased many of the flowers he planted on Central Ave., I became well acquainted with his visions for the city. 
He confided in me his one, true vision, took me to a deserted patch of sand and weeds at the edge of the inlet, and showed me a rather sad-looking building that I had never even known existed before. He explained that this was the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, which had long been neglected and would have been demolished if not for the passion of several local residents, including Mayor Tony Catanoso and his wife Phyllis, Thomas Flud, the late Steve MacDonald, and Al Mouklas, as well as many volunteers. This group set out to save and restore this historic landmark.
Murray envisioned a beautifully restored lighthouse surrounded by trees and gardens. Looking at that sad structure and its setting, I thought to myself that he was completely delusional; however, he persisted, and as the commission continued to clean and restore the building, he continued to prepare the setting for what would become one of the best-known gardens in the state.
Each year, they continued to grow and enchant all who visited them. During this time, Murray also joined the commission and began to explore the possibility of accurately furnishing and interpreting the building and all of its history.
Little was really known about the lighthouse, and very little information was readily available. In the ensuing years, during which time the commission became the non-profit organization known as the “Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse,” Murray researched both the history of the lighthouse as well as the history of its keepers.
Slowly, the Friends began furnishing the lighthouse with authentic “period” artifacts, paintings and furniture loaned or donated to the Friends organization. Murray would spend countless hours researching every bit of information on the former keepers, their families, their lives and their duties, as well as any information that would be pertinent in accurately interpreting the history of the lighthouse.
With the accumulated knowledge and artifacts, innumerable hours were then spent creating exhibits and presenting to visitors a true picture of the history and importance of this building. That this labor of love by all involved is being dismissed and defamed by the current mayor and council is seen as incredible and devastating by the countless people who have visited the lighthouse and gardens, by those who know Murray, and, members of the Friends, and who know their love and passion for these grounds.