In a message dated 6/21/01 2:14:26 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
tielking(a)knightstown.net writes:
The commissioners seemed disinterested. One commissioner said he has
received zero calls on the issue (the care of the county's cemeteries has
been in the news a lot the last several months).
Angela,
I'm behind you 110 percent, but I am trying to be careful about what I say on
the List. I see you have now found out what I told you about the
commissioners attitudes at the beginning is true. You know when you back them
into a corner they will try to come after you. Ignore this and keep swinging
yourself, you can win. The more publicity you get the more pressure you put
on them. You almost have to convince the VOTERS that the commissioners don't
care about old grown up cemeteries. Most are willing to spend money on
frivolous items in the county for re election purposes. When enough voters
start talking about cemeteries and get interested, change will come. Like
the articles that came out in two Newspapers about me, no one knew about the
cemetery conditions, or who to call about them. The Local History room at the
Library, the Recorders Office, the Assessor, and the Trustees have people
call me about Cemeteries. People really do care. The Next time you are going
to attend a meeting, let me know when, I will try to drive up. I would like
to be there. As for myself, I now have won over the New Albany Township
Trustee, he is the one in the County with the money, the power, and now the
will to speak up. He even suggested he apply for more money and have me start
repairs on his cemeteries. But I told him we should hold out and work for a
cemetery commission. He doubts it could happen, but we are going to try. He
said we have to have a strong case, and know all the facts and figures. We
will. Now, I am very proud of what you have accomplished, and what you are
trying to accomplish. From what I have seen, if anyone can win one, it's
you. Keep up the fight, we have to help the ones that made it possible for us
to live in this country. Our hardships pale in comparison to theirs, but it
seems most county commissioners aren't aware of this when they drive their
nice highways, through nice countryside to their nice homes. They don't
appreciate the hard work of their own Ancestors. Hopefully a 100 years from
now, with people like you, their Cemeteries wont be like the ones you are
fighting for now.
Again Angela, keep up the pressure, you're doing a wonderful job. Good Luck,
Jack E. Briles
jb502000(a)aol.com
PO Box 444
New Albany, In. 47151-0444
(812) 282-6585