Now, the city wants to tell us how to grieve....?
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Across Maple Grove Cemetery, between the granite and marble tombstones, are nestled small remembrances of lost loved ones.
Graves of small children have dolls and toys placed around the headstones. One has a small model car. Nearby, somebody sunk concrete and placed a large, wrought-iron cross. Another has plastic toys glued to the stone.
The question the Dodge City Commission is trying to figure out is: How far is too far?
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The commission and representatives from Dodge City Parks and Recreation discussed city policy regulating grave decorations, as well as ramping up enforcement, during a work study session Monday night.
Paul Lewis, director of parks and recreation, said the added-on remembrances had become a problem for the maintenance crews, as well as for families who wish to keep a loved one's grave clear.
"Something needs to happen," Lewis said. "People are cementing things into place."
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Let's not forget that we own those plots and paid a hefty price for the purchase at the time of our loved ones passing and we pay for ongoing upkeep through taxes.
We own it- if it makes us feel better to place toys on our childs grave then leave us the ______ alone!
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The problem lies in maintenance, Lewis said. Some people who own graves in Maple Grove have added countless decorations, which have begun to spill over into the grass. During the mowing season, Lewis said, it becomes harder to maintain the grass.
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Well BOO HOO. I find my job hard at times too. Maybe we should just get rid of the headstones, that'd make it real easy to mow.
And once again, Terry Lee got it right...
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Commissioner Terry Lee said he didn't agree with the other commissioners and felt it was a mistake to regulate the types of decorations on graves.
I don't think local government needs to be in the business of telling people how they're going to grieve," he said. "I've heard a lot from the public feeling the same way. They feel intruded upon."
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DodgeCity.com: Dodge Globe: Local News: Stories I wish our leaders would address the real problems of fiscal irresponsibility, stick to running the race track and the all4fun, and stop telling us how to celebrate the loss of our loved ones on our own property. "Whittling away at our freedoms, one commission meeting at a time."