Lighthouse memorial for two killed in Hudson River boating crash debated

PIERMONT VILLAGE, N.Y. (WABC) -- There is a debate over a controversial proposal to build a memorial on the Hudson River in Piermont in memory of a bride-to-be and a groomsman killed in a boating accident.

A meeting about the plan was held at Piermont Village Hall Tuesday night.

The families of Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon raised more than $100,000 to build the memorial.

They want to build a 35-foot high lighthouse in Parelli Park which would serve as a navigational aid to boaters traveling into Piermont's harbor from the main corridor of the Hudson River, while also providing another attraction for the town.

There's debate over the use of public land for the lighthouse.

The accident happened in July 2013, just two weeks before the wedding was supposed to happen.

The boat struck a construction barge.

The boat operator is serving two years for driving impaired.