by George Pitlik
Contributing Writer

Marfa has 260 streetlights. All but 19 of them are turned off. What led to this decision and how are  citizens affected? I took a trip to Marfa and wandered about talking to locals. I was surprised at what I learned.

My first stop was the Marfa City Hall to learn what led to the lights-off decision. Jim Mustard, the city administrator, educated me.

In August of 2007 the electric rate for the streetlights was scheduled to increase 40% on the proposed new contract. Marfa was behind nearly $200,000.00 in its budget so something had to be done. Many cost-saving ideas were studied. Turning off the streetlights would save the city about $47,000.00 a year…. The city published a survey about this – in the local paper, at City Hall, and the issue was discussed at city meetings. Of the surveys returned, 90% were in favor of turning off the streelights.

Mr. Mustard also answered many questions that I should have asked but did not. For example, although a darker Marfa certainly benefits the University of Texas’ McDonald Observatory in nearby Fort Davis, that factor was not considered when making the decision; rather, the budget needed to be balanced.

The most frequent objection to a darker Marfa was the concern of increased crime. This has not occurred. Parts of Marfa never had streetlights to begin with. Additionally, Marfa has five different types of lights emitting various strengths, so lighting was very uneven.

The city administration gave citizens the option of keeping on lights near their homes, but they would have to pay for the electricity themselves. As of my interview with Mr. Mustard, one person had signed up but has not completed the process. The prevailing assumption is that because a person pays property taxes, he/she should not have to pay extra for a streetlight. Yet it turns out that  property taxes make up only about 8% of Marfa’s city budget.

Joni Marginot, Director of the Marfa Chamber of Commerce, loves the lights being out and seeing the stars. She finds the darkness soothing and said it was beautiful to look down a dark Highland Avenue towards the lighted Courthouse. Marginot said she had not heard one complaint from a tourist. They like it. The skies in Big Bend are an attraction for our visitors.

The most common complaints Marginot heard from locals was they were afraid of crime and of tripping as they walked around the town at night. The Sal Si Puede (Leave If You Can) section on Marfa’s east side still has its lights on because it is outside city limits. When Marginot goes there to visit friends it now looks like New York City to her – much too bright.

Marginot said that the city administration decided that no matter what, the city was determined to not cut one city job or employee benefit. This decision limited their choices, and turning off the streetlights was to city administrators the best plan.

Marie Blazek, who owns a pottery studio just off the courthouse square, feels Marfa is generally safe and as a single female has always been comfortable in Marfa. Saving money on electricity is a good thing for Marfa. Blazek mentioned that if she felt unsafe she would pay the $9.00 a month to keep her streetlight on.

On the downside, Marie says walking and biking are more difficult at night.

Kids on bikes are difficult to see at night, noted Blazek, and feels that parents need to ensure the bikes have lights and reflectors and that the riders wear light-colored clothing. As an artist, she appreciates the full moon and night sky and knows McDonald Observatory is happy about Marfa’s decision.

When I left the Blazek studio, I needed to find some people who did not like the lights out policy. I headed back towards City Hall, yet could not resist the aroma of freshly-ground coffee beans. After a few minutes at the newly-reopened coffee shop next to the bookstore, I got into a conversation with one of Marfa’s fitness aficionados, a woman who runs/walks 7.5 miles daily and is afraid of having an unpleasant encounter with a javelina or skunk. Tripping on uneven surfaces is another concern.

After coffee, I spoke with another individual who asked to remain anonymous. This individual is a life-long resident of Marfa – fourth-generation, in fact. The lights-out policy is not appreciated by this person or other friends and family. “It’s dangerous,” the person said. “There will be increased vandalism during the summer. I have heard there are naked bike riders in town. I pay my bills. Why can’t [the city] pay their bills?”

My anonymous informant says there is a petition being circulated to turn the lights back on. Three hundred signatures have already been gathered. Also, some locals now want to move – mainly because of the lights being off.

It was time for me to drive back to Alpine. As I passed the Marfa Lights observation center, it seemed ironic that Marfa is now gathering attention by a lack of lights as well as the infamous Marfa Mystery Lights.

I wonder if Alpine and Fort Davis are considering turning off their streetlights?

George Pitlik is a retired computer guy who moved to Alpine a few years ago. The Big Bend geography and people fascinate him.