Historic Cemetery Vault
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: City Manager
Forum Description: Discuss the city manager administration including all city departments.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2433
Printed Date: May 04 2024 at 3:08am
Topic: Historic Cemetery Vault
Posted By: 409
Subject: Historic Cemetery Vault
Date Posted: Dec 12 2009 at 12:14am
From the MJ:
City agrees to tarp vault at historic cemeteryBy http://www.ohio-share.coxnewsweb.com/incoming/ryan-gauthier-305962.html - Ryan Gauthier , Staff Writer 11:40 PM Friday, December 11, 2009 MIDDLETOWN — The city has agreed to protect the Middletown Historic Cemetery’s vault from winter weather, in an effort to resolve an ongoing legal battle before it reaches a state cemetery commission. Les Landen, Middletown’s law director, said the city has offered to place a tarp over the structure so it does not sustain further damage this winter at the First Avenue cemetery that is the final resting place for many of Middletown’s founding families and veterans from the Revolutionary through Vietnam wars. “We volunteered because we believe there may be some opportunities to do some things that make some sense in how the cemetery is dealt with,” Landen said. Landen said he, longtime cemetery volunteer Vivian Moon, her attorney and a representative with the state Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission held a mediation session Thursday, Dec. 10, in Columbus to “talk about ways to look at potentially resolving some of the disagreements between the parties.” The city has basically committed to maintaining the vault’s present condition, he said, so if volunteers can raise enough money to repair the vault they can proceed without additional problems. Both sides also agreed to bump a scheduled hearing with the CDRC to March, giving them additional time to resolve any remaining issues, according to Landen. Moon complained to City Council last spring regarding the 11-acre cemetery’s maintenance, then filed a formal complaint with the CDRC. The city’s lack of cemetery maintenance is her main problem, but Moon said she specifically took issue with plans to tear down the vault rather than fund extensive — and expensive — repairs. With the structure on the verge of collapse, Moon said something needs to be done. City Manager Judy Gilleland has estimated costs to restore the vault as anywhere between $40,000 and $80,000. Moon said she is eager to see if the city is true to its word, saying she fully intends to ratchet up the pressure if they do not follow-through. “We’ll see if ... this is just another tactic on their part,” Moon said. “And I tell you, you’d better pray this isn’t another little tactic. We won’t be going back to Columbus, I’ll do a class action suit, that’ll just make their head swim.” Moon said she hopes City Council opts to create a cemetery board at its upcoming council meeting, in addition to coming up with funding for vault repairs. |
Replies:
Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Dec 12 2009 at 9:22am
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“We volunteered because we believe there may be some opportunities to do some things that make some sense in how the cemetery is dealt with,” Landen said.
Landen is just an outstanding individual isn't he ? The "attorney-ness" really comes out in him at the right moment. Where would the city be without Les Landen ? ------------- No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !! |
Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Dec 12 2009 at 12:36pm
| And think how easy it would have been in the beginning if the city lived up to their obligations as they demand their citizens do.. |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Dec 12 2009 at 12:54pm
| Ridiculous. City buying time like Iran is its nuclear ambitions by throwing a tarp over the vault (snow weighs quite a bit when it gets wet making matters worse), but no problem, lets wait unti March. This whole think is really silly. Calss action suit? Don't think so. What would be the damages associated with a class action? None. City either has responsibility or it doesn't. From what I've read in the state statute, city probably has a pretty good case for tearing it down. So, as few now say, alright now, city going to throw a tarp over it, great, just like covering the central air conditioner when its off for winter. This case is going nowhere, and is rapidly becoming an embarrassment for ll parties, and not soley the city. What color will the tarp be...or is it camolflaged to blend with the stone? Give us a break please Ms. Moon and the city. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Dec 12 2009 at 7:57pm
Isn't this a convenient statement for old Leslie to make. How ironic that the city wants to make a feeble attempt to temporarily remedy the vault situation- just as they're challenged on their position in Columbus. Guess one has to back them into a corner before they'll address a citizens request. It appears that unless you're a citizen within the inner circle of influence, you have no recourse but to force the issues to see any action. Sad state of affairs from this city government.  Hermes asks- "Where would the city be without Les Landen?" Perhaps Landen should ask where he would be without the city. Without the city job, perhaps he'd be a defense attorney representing the drunks in court on the night shift in another town. 
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Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Dec 13 2009 at 1:16pm
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I think by the city throwing a tarp over the vault they'll hope if it snows enough the combination of the tarp & heavy snow will just bring down the vault or cause enough damage that they'll be justified in demolishing it. I've seen these old vaults in other cemeteries and they always add to the ambiance and are usually well taken care of because they are a piece of history. City hall's attitude towards this whole ordeal is beyond ridiculous. ------------- No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !! |