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Middletown Cemetery Vault |
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viper771 
MUSA Resident 
Joined: Mar 16 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 221 |
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 Posted: Oct 17 2011 at 8:12pm |
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Thanks for the mortar info. I am glad that they are using the correct type of mortar. I guess a little portland cement won't cause any problems since they are repointing stones. If it was soft brick, that would be another story.
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da120757
MUSA Resident
Joined: May 16 2009 Location: Middletown Ohio Status: Offline Points: 222 |
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Posted: Oct 18 2011 at 8:21am |
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Your news is refreshing to hear. Again, want to thank the board for the effort made to rectify what was once a bad situation.
You know what the frustrating thing is Ms. Morrison? What you described in your post was already done by Ms. Moon and her volunteer group and removed. We basically re-invented the wheel on the landscaping effort here, didn't we? Such a shame some city leaders couldn't grow up and had to do the power thing by removing what was once there.  [/QUOTE
Hey Vet
Like I have said in the past I appreciate everything that Ms Viv did for the Cemetery which includes 7 years of hard labor, beautifying, and fighting with the City to get this Cemetery back up to code. We as a board still have a long ways to go but we are getting the many problems taken care of it will just take some time. The Vault is being worked on , and the Tombstone Restoration started Monday Morning.
I also agree that what the City workers did by tearing out all of the plantings that Ms Viv put in was dispicable and they should be made to answer to it. It was wrong to destroy all the hard work that Viv and her team did and I think everyone in the city knows this. The word Spite comes to mind. Anyway, with the new flowers planted in the two front flower beds it looks really nice and I still say Thank You to whoever planted them.
Deb Morrison Middletown Cemetery Board
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acclaro
Prominent MUSA Citizen 
Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878 |
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Posted: Oct 18 2011 at 10:52am |
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You know, I have read for a year or more about the issues with the cemetary. When I read Ms. Morrison's post, it hit me like a brick.
What kind of city leadership and human beings entrusted to be fair, ethical, and comport with basic tenants of moral fiber, do this to a woman, or for that matter....any human being? Is Middletown Nazi Germany? This is unconscionable nehavior. Ms. Moon and others, but she was the lead champion, gave her time freely, and worked to honor the memory of those who had passed, many who founded the city.
While I personally don't care about the history of Middletown one way or another, it just doesn't matter to me, the fact an indiviaul whom 99.9% of cities in the nation, would give an award for Volunteerism and humanity is ridiculed, shamed, and treated in such a disgustingly vile manner, speaks to the heart of the fabric of corruption, greed, and anarchy which has been Middletown's trademark for many years.
While knowing the battle Ms. Moon was subjected, there was something in Ms. Morrison's words which hit home. There is not a city in America this woman would not have been in the paper receiving an award and recognition for her dedication to maintaining a cemetary. Instead, she has been crucified as if a "Salem witch."
I ask----what in wrong with Middletown leadership, that makes them so vile, so arrogant, so callous, and cruel? I frankly, have no answer.
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da120757
MUSA Resident
Joined: May 16 2009 Location: Middletown Ohio Status: Offline Points: 222 |
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Posted: Oct 18 2011 at 6:13pm |
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Being on the Cemetery Board has opened my eyes even wider to how things are handled in the Cemetery, and in the City, in that they do not have to answer to anyone for how they take care of property they own in this city.
I have lived in Middletown my entire life and usually when I say this , people respond, "I feel sorry for you". In 1994 my son had to do a project for Scouts so I took him to the Middletown Cemetery, because this was going to help me with a project that I had started also. For one month we walked the cemetery, and copied the information on all the military markers that we could read. We had fun doing this. After my project was well on its way and he had his project complete , I contacted Art Baer at the City and asked him about getting this cemetery cleaned up. And so it started.
I was on the very first committee in 1995 that took on the chore of trying to get this cemetery cleaned up and looking presentable. My sons Boy Scout Troop 810, Volunteers from Target, Brady Belt, Ken Wills, Dana Pruitt, my family, some City Workers, and many others. We raked fence lines, picked up trash cut down trees and bushes, we re-graveled the driveways, and even started replacing the Veterans Tombstones that were unreadable and broken. This lasted all of about 2 years, then it all went back to the way it was being ignored except for the minimum maintenance that the city had to do cutting grass, empyting trash cans and picking up dead trees that fell or were blown down. The City did not care about this Cemetery then or in 1947 when they took control of it or today in 2011.
I really felt bad about how this cemetery was being treated but when I called and asked them why nothing more was being done in this historic place i was told even back then we do not have the money to take care of the cemetery. My father worked for the City of Middletown and he told me that there was a perpetual care fund for that cemetery????, No one knows where this money went and there is never any mention to it in any city records.
Ok I get it that not everyone in Middletown cares about this cemetery I get that, but there are decendants of those buried in this cemetery that do care and would like to see it taken care of. I have family buried here. It is a shame that Vivian was treated the way she was after volunteering all her time and her friends who helped her. So I can say I have no answer why the City did what they did, I can only guess.
Deb Morrison
Middletown Cemetery Board
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acclaro
Prominent MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878 |
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Posted: Oct 18 2011 at 6:55pm |
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Ms. Morrison, your efforts are commendable as well. I think I know the answer: it is lack of empathy by the city. Some learn it is better to function as "we go" versus "me go." Unfortuantely for the city, it has been "me go" for too many decades. While difficult to comprehend the neglect, the motivation is quite "clear." Thank you for your dedication and years to servicing the facility, as have others, doing the chores the city should have done all along.
Neglect earns no RESPECT.
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Vivian Moon
MUSA Council 
Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187 |
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Posted: Oct 19 2011 at 9:51am |
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October 19, 2011
In the Who is responsible for the care of the That has been the million dollar question that really needed to be answered. Over the years I have discussed this fact with numerous city officials and also the Park Board members since the This year the Board approved the Middletown Cemetery Tombstone Restoration Project from a grant approved and submitted by the Park Board. I have been told for 8 years that the cemetery was the responsibility of Public Works however I can find NO documentation that states the responsibility of the cemetery was ever removed from the Parks Dept. So it seems that the Page 25 Please remember that in 1947 the Parks Department mowed their own grass and cared for only a few parks plus the 3 swimming pools. My research shows that over the years the cemetery was just simply ignored by the Parks Dept. Later when the mowing was taken over by the Public Works Dept the cemetery was included. As the city added more parks the care and needs of the cemetery went to the bottom of the list and was once more simply ignored. Over the years numerous volunteer groups stepped up and cleaned the cemetery however the city did not continue the maintenance and soon the cemetery reverted back to its unsightly condition. While working at the cemetery family members told me that for years they would bring their mowers to the cemetery to cut the grass on family gravesites because the city refused to care for the property. So here we are 60 years later still trying to get the City of RESEARCH Page 21 Gardner-Richardson Employment Office Present; Ivo Beedle, R. C. Dowling, Walter Geckeler, Ross Kramer This meeting was called by Ivo Beedle who has been absent from the city for several weeks and found it necessary to make decisions on several urgent matters. A letter from Bob Russell that had been forwarded by the Police Chief was read and discussed. Mr. Russell objected to the transfer of the dance at The purchase of fencing that Matt Ryan had been authorized to buy was questioned and Ivo was to contact Matt Ryan in regard to same. Ross Kramer asked for a ruling on what procedure should be followed in handling Swimming Pool Admission money during the summer months. Mr. Beedle will contact the city manager. Mr. Dowling said that he had been contacted in regard to the Park Board taking over the job of grass cutting at the Mr. Beedle was authorized to see Mr. Pochel in regard to making plans to build a comfort station at Barnitz Field. This comfort station is to include two toilets for ladies, two toilets for men plus one urinal, two drinking fountains, and lighted and in keeping with the surroundings. Mr. Beedle is to check with Mr. Pochel in regard to the paint bids for Sunset Pool. The Park Board decided to accept the bid of $300.00 of Stella Beatty for the Sunset Pool lunch stand for the summer season and the bid of Mrs. Kenner of $100.00 per summer season for the lunch stand at Douglas Pool. The Park Board insists that the proprietors of each lunch stand keep the grounds clean around each lunch stand. Meeting Adjourned at Signed: R. C. Dowling, Secretary Attested: Ivo Beedle, President Gardner-Richardson Employment Office Present; Ivo Beedle, R. C. Dowling, Robert Hayes, Ross Kramer Ivo Beedle made a motion that the Park Board abandon the Supervised Recreation activities for the season on Friday July 30, 1948, but to continue operating the three Swimming Pools until about September 1m 1948, and that the maintenance crew of Matt Ryan be reduced from 4 men to 2 men. This action was made mandatory due to lack of funds. After a full discussion of the conditions which face the Board it was finally decided that the best solution of the problem was to offer the youngsters the present pool facilities. The present budget did not provide for any additional funds over that of a year ago and since materials and labor costs have increased the program must be curtailed. The above motion was seconded by R. C. Dowling and was unanimously approved by all members of the Park Board. It was also decided that it was necessary to give up the care of the Mr. Beedle agreed to meet Mr. Geckeler and decide what part of the Recreation Program could be maintained by him alone. Meeting adjourned at Signed: R. C. Dowling, Secretary Attest: Ivo Beedle, President |
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da120757
MUSA Resident
Joined: May 16 2009 Location: Middletown Ohio Status: Offline Points: 222 |
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Posted: Oct 19 2011 at 10:01pm |
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I do not think it matters at this point who is in control of the Cemetery (the Parks Department or Public Works) the point here and now as in the past is that the City refuses to put any money into the cemetery, hence the efforts of the Cemetery Board to raise the funds to get the Vault and some of the other work completed in the Cemetery. I do not know what you are trying to do with keeping your fight with the city out in the spotlight. I do know that you are making it difficult for us to get the funding that we will need to finish the vault. I do not know how else to say it to you Vivian, but geez back off, and let the board do their business. We are getting things done, am I right? We have workers on the Vault, and we have workers on the Headstones. I know that all of this is not happening as fast as you think it should but give us time to get things accomplished. |
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acclaro
Prominent MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878 |
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Posted: Oct 19 2011 at 11:14pm |
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Ms. Morrison, do I understand this correctly, that you are stating that in spite of a city ordinance that the cemetary will be maintained to certain standards, which I understood the city failed to meet, the city is not willing to fund any dollars into this project, and having the cemetry Board raise the funds? And if so, why is the cemetray Board doing what the city ordinance mandates the city do? Gee, maybe Duane Gordon wou;d lend a hand for fund raising after the "conductor" effort has run its course.
I can see why a business might be hesitant to contribute if the city isn't puttting any money into this, and adhering to the ordinance. What an irony, the city smacks city councilman AJ Smith about the tax ordinance, and the Board is having to raise money for maintenance the city refused to do, based upon violating its own ordinance.
Too much to take in the town.
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VietVet
MUSA Council
Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008 |
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Posted: Oct 20 2011 at 6:15am |
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acclaro.....
"What an irony, the city smacks city councilman AJ Smith about the tax ordinance, and the Board is having to raise money for maintenance the city refused to do, based upon violating its own ordinance" Isn't it Leslie Eugene Landens job as Law DIErector to remind the city manager and council that they are in violation of city ordinances? If so, why isn't Leslie doing it other than the fear that Gilleland might hit him on the nose with a wet newspaper and not give him his doggie treat for a job well done? 
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DuaneGordon
MUSA Immigrant 
Joined: May 12 2010 Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Posted: Oct 20 2011 at 10:52am |
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For the record, acclaro, I have advised members of the Cemetery Board on multiple occassions since its creation on methods and strategies to raise money for the cemetery. Since the Community Foundation made the $15,000 challenge grant to help pay for the vault repair if they could raise the balance of funding necessary to do the stone work, I have always provided what help I could when they asked. Of course, they did meet the match several weeks ago thanks to a very generous bequest and the work on the vault stonework is now underway. |
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acclaro
Prominent MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878 |
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Posted: Oct 20 2011 at 11:17am |
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Mr. Gordon, I assuredly meant no offense, and meant it in a most constructive manner. I sat on two Fortune 25 Foundation Boards that gave to universities and higher education, so my observation from reading Ms. Morrison's comments was indeed, there would be benefit of having a professional such as yourself contribute if the city was not. I commend your efforts and glad that the money is there for the repairs. I also enjoyed reading about your background, having a few 'ol Miss' family members, besides UVa, my favorite campus in the country is U of Miss; someday we must chat about the events that brought you to Middletown. Usually, a southerner stops the northern descent no further than Lexington (LOL).
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DuaneGordon
MUSA Immigrant
Joined: May 12 2010 Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Posted: Oct 20 2011 at 1:45pm |
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I took no offense
 I just wanted to remind those debating this that some groups and some people in the community have stepped up and helped out when needed.
Although I must dissassociate with you now that I know you have Ole Miss contamination, since I'm a proud Mississippi State Bulldog! I couldn't even finish my breakfast Sunday when I saw that kid with the Go Rebs button on his shirt in the Journal's Parade insert magazine
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ground swat
MUSA Citizen 
Joined: Mar 31 2011 Status: Offline Points: 367 |
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Posted: Oct 20 2011 at 7:12pm |
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Let the Board do their Job. They got handed a mess which the city allowed. 30 some odd post about the Progress for this historical site----------- what does it take to keep everyone happy? Is this a branch of Facebook??? Who would want to get involved locally in this Monkey business of the past?
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Posted: Oct 20 2011 at 8:28pm |
On Monday,
October 10, I was driving on First Avenue about 6:15 p. m. on my way to a
meet-and-greet at a local church. As I
passed the cemetery, there were two people that appeared to be tending the
flower beds and parked a few feet away was a Bohannon Roofing truck. I cannot
swear that the people tending the beds were from Bohannon, but it certainly
appeared to be so. |
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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da120757
MUSA Resident
Joined: May 16 2009 Location: Middletown Ohio Status: Offline Points: 222 |
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Posted: Oct 21 2011 at 8:39am |
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Mike ....
Thank you for this last post and Yes I did find out at the Last Board Meeting that Steve Bohannon and his wife did plant the flowers in the front flower bed. Thank you Steve for taking care of this they look very nice.
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