Committee discusses handling violations of cemetery policy
Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/gentry/News/2672/
GENTRY ó The cityís cemetery committee met Thursday to discuss possible solutions to violations of the policy for the Gentry Cemetery.
ì We are looking for a way to get people to comply with the rules without upsetting people, î said Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue.
The policy violations discussed included the leaving of articles on grave sites which impaired mowing.
The cemetery policy allows only one raised stone at each grave site ó at the head of the grave. Other markers and stones must be at ground level and meet the approval of the cemeteryís sexton ó city clerk Jo Ellen Martin.
The city does not permit permanent plantings or other statues, borders, rocks or figures on a grave.
Flowers which are to remain on a grave though the growing season are to be placed on the headstone.
The city also requires notification before the placement or removal and replacement of any stones or monuments in the cemetery so that stones are properly placed on the correct graves. Exceptions to the policy rules must be approved by the cemetery sexton and the city council cemetery committee.
The committee gave approval to a plan to publish the policy in the Gentry Courier-Journal and then to notify plot owners or family members of violations so that any violations can be voluntarily corrected before the city needs to take action.
Also discussed at the meeting was the possibility of posting a directory and signs to assist cemetery visitors in locating graves. An open pavilion for graveside services and the possibility of additional parking were also discussed. Further study on costs and possible funding sources will be done and brought back to the committee for consideration and possible recommendation to the city council.