Ruth, you are right, twice-a-year mowings can be destructive. When we were
hired by the township trustee to mow a pioneer cemetery, the only
requirement was that it be mowed 4 times a year around the holidays when
visitors would be expected. We uncovered the actual cemetery (99 headstones)
behind a wall of vegetation beyond the lot we were hired to mow. There were
no stones on that front lot.
Of course, "hire" is used loosely, because the amount paid MAY cover the
cost of gasoline and wear and tear on equipment. It is actually an act of
love for which we are partially reimbursed, and to keep up with it, it must
be mowed as often as our own lawn. If we were willing to do it, we could
still be collecting about $150 a summer to mow that front lot 4 times.
Another cemetery mower in this same township gets paid for tearing through
the paths with a heavy duty mower a few times a year. The access is up a
steep hill through thick vegetation. Even I, with my love for pioneer
cemeteries, was repelled by this barrier and was not able to reach that
cemetery this Memorial Day without trespassing on neighboring property. A
"caretaker" would mow the access. A "mower" does only what is required
in
order to be paid.
My suggestion is that everyone who cares contact these township trustees
voicing displeasure with the way specific cemeteries under their care are
being maintained (or not). They do care about public opinion. Ask questions,
and make follow-up calls.
Someone suggested that a township trustee should be fired--maybe so--but, I
often wonder why anyone would want their job, anyway. They take on a lot of
responsibility for very little remuneration. Their time is never their own,
and they often have full-time employment elsewhere. Anytime we visit the
trustee's home, we are welcomed, and he spends unlimited time working with
us on our problems, even showing up on the site with a chainsaw to aid in
some of the clearing. They don't have much money to work with, but when
public opinion rears it's ugly head, the money sometimes appears from
somewhere.
Other things we can all do:
If you know of a responsible person who would be willing to do the job,
recommend them.
If you are able-bodied, try taking on the maintenance of one small cemetery.
At least, visit (or have someone else visit) your own ancestors' graves and
maintain your inherited plots and gravestones, if possible. I admit this can
be very discouraging when you find the cemetery is such a neglected state.
Much improvement is needed at the state and county levels, but a lot of more
immediate improvement can be brought about by imforming those responsible on
the local level that we are watching, we care, and we are willing to pitch
in. I believe the Public Awareness has increased quite a bit in the past
couple of years. We are beginning to make a difference.
Ruth Cox Schlemmer
SE Indiana
----- Original Message -----
From: <Pride1jw(a)aol.com>
To: <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 12:54 AM
Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Re: Cemetery Restoration Work Causes Damage
I have knowledge of several neglected, endangered,ignored
(whichever
adjective suits your fancy) cemeteries in southern Indiana . In past
years,
in order to do the twice yearly mowing , the township trustees have
hired
"neighborhood Joe" who has taken in a bush hog,(mower pulled behind a
tractor) and because of the lack of the "DEGREE OF CARING", this has
resulted in the stones either being buried or broken to pieces and piled
against trees. Ruth Pride Knox. Co. Indiana
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