Citizens contacted Iskra.bg to report that after the repair of the Lighthouse in Ahtopol, it lost its authenticity. Local residents were outraged at his current dire state.
The Lighthouse became operational in July 1932. It rises in front of the port entrance of the sea town. It is built on a reef, which makes it particularly picturesque, but also dangerous for maintenance due to difficult access. A square base was built on the rock and a round stone tower was erected on it with a two-meter reinforced concrete structure with a smaller diameter, where an iron prism was placed.
Following the publication in Iskra.bg and the activity of the „Organization for the Protection of Bulgarian Citizens“ /OPBC/, the State Enterprise „Port Infrastructure“ with a branch-territorial division-Burgas organized a meeting by the director of the branch in Burgas with some of the dissatisfied residents of Ahtopol. The gathering was attended by a representative of the OPBG, the director of the territorial division of the State Enterprise „Port Infrastructure“-Burgas, employees of the state enterprise, the mayor of Ahtopol, a municipal councillor from the Municipal Council of Tsarevo, representatives of the company that won the state contract and repaired the lighthouse, and citizens.
The whole process from the submission of the alert to the media to the implementation of the meeting happened in less than 24 hours. Local residents were delighted by the quick response of Iskra.bg, the OPBC and the State Enterprise „Port Infrastructure“. During the meeting, they discussed what was the state of the Lighthouse before and after the repair. It was also discussed what the locals want and what are the legal parameters for carrying out this repair. The meeting went very well and there was constructive discussion. During the discussion the problem was pointed out by the locals that there is a metal structure called a pyramid on the Lighthouse that is supposed to be the required 3.5 feet high. According to people, it is lower and not centered in the middle, but to one side.
The the State Enterprise „Port Infrastructure“ clarified that the correct definition is not a lighthouse, but a lighted navigation sign. According to them, the look of the Lighthouse, its height, the overall dimensions, the white color, the metal pyramid on top – shape, height, all this is according to regulations. According to them, there is no way that everything has been changed, since the above-mentioned parameters must be observed after the repair is completed.
To the question, „Why was the Lighthouse with stones of a darker color, and now it is white?“
The answer is: „As required, the Lghthouse have to be white, described by international sources and according to the Bulgarian requirements regarding lighthouses and other means of navigation on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.“
The citizens reminded those present that there is a petion collected from local residents and guests of the town who want the Lighthouse to be repaired. People didn’t care what color it would be, but that the metal pyramid was the same height to look like it did before the renovation. An organizer of the local residents commented on the meeting to Iskra.bg as follows:
„We are satisfied with the meeting, but let’s see what the result will be after the renovation is completed. The conversation went in a good tone, but we have given some time frame in which our requests will be fulfilled. The petition continues to gain momentum until the repairs are completed and the final result is seen.“
The OPBC and local citizens will monitor the implementation of the repair. The State Enterprise „Port Infrastructure“-Burgas indicated that they will carry out stricter ongoing control before issuing the site. All checks will be made to see if the legal requirements for the Lighthouse have been met and if the citizens’ requests have been met. The patriotic organization and citizens, outside of this case, point out that until now the management of the State Enterprise „Port Infrastructure“ is working and has nothing to do with the previous ones.
The active position of the people of Ahtopol pleased the representatives of the „Organization for the Protection of Bulgarian Citizens“. They expressed their gratitude to the citizens for not remaining indifferent to the problem, but for speaking out and organizing themselves, taking legal action to resolve the problem. The OPBC expressed gratitude for the quick and adequate reaction of the State Enterprise „Port Infrastructure“-Burgas as well. The patriotic organization expects the Lighthouse to be restored to its previous form, in accordance with all legal requirements.
