County averts candle scandal

A ripple of worry ran through Port Washington social media circles the other day when it dawned on some longtime Port Washington residents that the 20-foot candle at the Ozaukee County Highway Department building on Spring Street was not up for the holidays.  

“Does anyone know why the Oz County building on 32/Spring St. doesn’t have the big candle up this Christmas season? Perhaps there was an announcement/article about that not going up this year somewhere and I missed it?” one resident posted online on Dec. 6.

“That’s like one of my fondest childhood memories! They can’t not put it up!” another worried resident replied.

“I just drove past there and wondered the same thing. I hope they put it out. It’s an old tradition and should continue,” said another.

But all fears were allayed Monday when Highway Department crews erected the candle at about 7:15 a.m., renewing a Christmas tradition that goes back at least 70 years.

It wasn’t that Highway Department workers forgot about putting up the candle. They just got busy, you know, with highway stuff.

“With the quick snow that came on Oct. 31 we had to push some paving projects back and get some other work done later than usual, so it was a bit more of a back-burner issue,” county Highway Commissioner Jon Edgren said, explaining the delay.

The candle, the story goes, was fabricated by Highway Department employees in the 1940s or earlier out of scrap metal and spare parts — two culverts, a short base section painted silver and a narrower red culvert topped with a painted metal and plexiglass flame that holds a light bulb. A saucer for the bottom of the candle is fabricated out of sheet metal.

A couple homemade spotlights keep it visible at night for motorists, pedestrians and neighbors.

It’s kept in storage throughout the year and brought out for the holiday season after being dusted off and a few minor repairs made.

Edgren said there were no upgrades or improvements made to the candle this year.

“It probably could use a coat of paint but that will have to wait until next year,” he said.

Social media noticed right away on Monday after the candle was up.

“Now the Holidays can start,” one poster said.

“Weird that a candle, at the highway department has such an impact ... but, it DOES!!!” said another comment.