Grand Traverse County Commissioners gave their blessing to a citizens group that is poised to launch a fundraising effort to restore the 1899 bell at the historic county courthouse.

In a 7-0 vote, the board endorsed the efforts of the organization which has generated approximately $2,700 toward an estimated bell repair bill of $10,000. Approval by the board enables the group to send contributions directly to the county treasurer. After repairing the bell, the group will try to raise more funds for additional repairs to the clock, according to attorney W. Peter Doren, who is a member of the organization’s committee. Others committee members include Karen Mauro-Doren, Ed Kalat, Alisa Kroupa, Ken Richmond, Bernie Riker and Gary Schilke.

The clock has been silent since 2008. Four years earlier a malfunction in the tower atop the Antrim County Courthouse caused a 600-pound set of weights to crash through the ceiling. No one was injured, but it raised an alarm with GT officials. Preventative maintenance was done and the chimes continued until 2008.