‘Where is  the respect?’

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12:10 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009

I am writing to you regarding the condition of Pioneer Cemetery in Middletown. During this past summer, when my father was being cared for by hospice, I visited Pioneer Cemetery to see where my father would be buried.

I was appalled to see the condition of this historic place where so many Middletonians are buried — including the founders of this wonderful city and especially the Vail family from whom I am a descendent.

I was told that a volunteer group — which had been working in the cemetery — had now been banned because of a conflict with the city manager. Irate, I went to the City Hall and was granted a meeting with (manager) Judith Gilleland, to whom I expressed my extreme dissatisfaction. She had no explanation, except to weep and say that times are tough everywhere and that their priorities are elsewhere.

Then, when my father was buried in Pioneer Cemetery on Aug. 10, I was once again astonished at the cemetery’s shabby condition. Grass and weeds had not been mowed for several weeks. It was embarrassing.

What better time than when the economy is poor and city budgets are stretched beyond their limits to allow volunteer groups to serve their community by the upkeep of an historic cemetery? It is incredible to me that the city banned the volunteer group that was taking care of the cemetery grounds, recently removed more than $5,000 worth of shrubs and perennials donated and planted by this group, and recently posting new (limited) hours for the cemetery. ... How can anyone who works or is from out of state visit their family’s graves with these hours?

There must be garden clubs, master gardeners, students needing community service hours, those who need public service hours to satisfy parole requirements, prison or jail inmates who could be called upon to assist with this responsibility.

Where is the respect for the deceased founders and residents of this wonderful city? Maybe because they no longer vote, they get no respect.

Nancy Anderson Fees

Gladwin, Mich.

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