Memory Gardens Cemetery’s history of neglect is long, and fraught with fits and starts of hope that have never really panned out.
For a couple of decades the cemetery has suffered from ownership changes, foreclosures and general neglect from those with the responsibility to take care of the place.
Its grass is unkempt and not watered for the most part, with weeds and others signs of inattention all around.
Family members and concerned citizens do what they can, but the place is too large for any one family or one person looking to maintain their family plots.
But now, a new history may be in store for the cemetery, which has 850 graves and even more people who have grown disgusted with the lack of care and lack of respect shown the grounds.
The United Veterans Council of Imperial County voted to begin talks with the county of Imperial to assist in taking control of the cemetery. Outgoing Supervisor Gary Wyatt spoke with current owners of the cemetery and asked if they would be willing to donate the cemetery.
Many people have had many ideas over the years to help the ailing cemetery, but none have felt as possible as what the veterans want to do.
There is much that needs to be figured out, from taxes, to costs associated with staff and maintaining the cemetery. But there also seems to be a different sort of will to make this happen, and some level of support from the county that would enable the veterans be forgiven of certain fees and costs.
This area the veterans would take over would only comprise of 17 acres out of a total of 80 acres, but that is also the area most visible to passersby on Highway 86.
Memory Gardens has suffered too long, and the families of the dead buried in that ground have suffered the indignity of watching the continued deterioration too long. We hope this is it, we hope this is the plan and the effort that takes hold.
THE ISSUE:
Veterans group moves forward with plan to assume old cemetery.
WE SAY:
Plan seems to have real merit and we hope it is successful.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
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