Budget cuts have city's eliminating all kinds of services, but a group of local residents say cash should not be an issue when it comes to respecting the dead. They are worried an historic cemetery in Middletown is falling apart.

Local 12's Larry Davis has the story.

From the outside looking in, the old Middletown Cemetery appears to be well preserved. Maintenance crews are cutting the grass. But a group of concerned citizens say take a closer look inside. Tombstones, dating back to the early 1800's are broken. Vandals have overturned others.

Tom Rapp, Wants Cemetery Maintained: "There are a lot of people, pardon my french, damned mad and I mean damned mad."

Tom Rapp has no family buried here, so why is he and many others so angry at the city.

"Because we're supposed to respect the dead."

The historic vault has vegetation and small trees growing out of cracks in the walls. There's talk of tearing it down, because the city says it can't pay for the required maintenance.

"This is a wonderful old building, this is the history of Middletown right here and why the city wants to tear it down is beyond me. I don't understand it."
 
This cemetery is also known as the Pioneer Cemetery. It's home to many of Middletown's founding fathers. Vivian Moon has been fighting the city for five years, saying it hasn't done its job in preserving the cemetery.

Vivian Moon, Wants Cemetery Maintained: "It is the city's obligation to maintain under Ohio state law to maintain this cemetery under minimum maintenance."

Councilman Tony Marconi says "while the city is expected to come in one million dollars under budget, it does have an obligation to the city's founding fathers to maintain the cemetary."

Tom Rapp says he and the others will continue the fight for this historic property.
"This is our history here, this is our history."

Neither Middletown's mayor or city manager were unavailable for comment today. Councilman Marconi says the city can't be hypocritical. He says if a private citizen maintained their property like this, the city would have them in court.