Payette cross needs community help
By Larry Hurrle
Argus Observer
Friday, November 13, 2009 11:15 AM PST
Payette — It shines like a beacon in the night on Payette County’s highest point and is lighted throughout the night and all year.
For the most part, it becomes part of common life for those driving through Payette County, but during the holiday season more and more people notice the lighted cross on top of Clay Peak. The cross is visible during the hours of darkness and can be seen from across the valley.
However, it costs about $100 per month to keep up with maintenance and power to keep the cross lighted. Twenty-three bulbs, which run about $6 each, continually have to be changed because of burnouts or vandalism.
The cross was originally erected on Clay Peak in March of 1956. Joe Cabrera and Bob Wright put up a new cross in December 1993, which is the same cross that is visible today.
“We’re asking people not to forget the cross this holiday season,” Cabrera said. Because it is expensive to keep the cross lighted throughout the year, Cabrera is asking anyone who wants to help to donate to the cross fund to cover expenses.
Recently, vandals hit the cross and broke bulbs and the lock and timer on it. Cabrera, who lives in the Washoe area, said the bulbs, that are purchased for the cross, are 20,000 hour bulbs. The cost, he said, obviously varies depending on the bulb and vandals. Those who wish to make monetary donations to the cross can do so at US Bank in Payette under the Clay Peak Cross Fund. As well, Cabrera said, some people have gone directly to Idaho Power to pay for the electricity used by the cross.
