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Donor-funded permanent lights to wrap Simpson County courthouse; ceremony set Dec. 7
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Summary
Franklin Simpson Renaissance presented a donor-funded permanent lighting system for the historic Simpson County courthouse, saying the nonprofit will fund and maintain the lights at no cost to taxpayers; the lighting ceremony is planned for Dec. 7 during Small Town Christmas.
Franklin Simpson Renaissance will fund and maintain a permanent lighting system for the Simpson County Historic Courthouse, the nonprofit announced at the Fiscal Court meeting on Nov. 5.
Kim Roberts, director of Franklin Simpson Renaissance, told the court the project was funded entirely by the nonprofit and that Thurman Electric donated installation labor. "For the first time in over fifteen years the courthouse will shine brighter than it's ever been this Christmas," Roberts said. She said the official lighting ceremony will be held during Small Town Christmas on Dec. 7 around 6:30 p.m. after the parade.
Renaissance will maintain the lights and determine which holidays and events will be lit. Roberts listed the holidays and events written into Renaissance bylaws for the courthouse lighting schedule: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, Summer Vibes Music Fest, Homecoming, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Boo Fest, Halloween and Veterans Day. Access to operate the lights will be limited: the Renaissance director, the president of the Renaissance board and designated Thurman Electric workers (for troubleshooting) will control the system. Roberts advised the court and public that the system can be operated using an iPhone device or by manually unplugging cords.
A representative from Thurman Electric showed the court historic lightbulbs used on the courthouse, with the oldest dating to the 1950s–1960s; those bulbs will be taken to the Historic Center for display. Thurman Electric maintenance staff also discovered rotten wood supporting the courthouse weathervane while working on the lighting; contractor Randy Yokley will replace it with metal to raise and stabilize the weathervane.
Why it matters: The project restores long-running decorative lighting around the historic courthouse without a county appropriation, and establishes a small recurring maintenance and operating arrangement managed by the nonprofit.
What happens next: The lighting will be unveiled at Small Town Christmas on Dec. 7; Renaissance will maintain control of the schedule and a small set of operators will retain access to the system.