Spend The Money On The Cemeteries Not C&P Advertising

Now that approximately $70,000 has been earmarked and approved in the 2013 Evansville City Budget for Oak Hill & Locust Hill Cemeteries, it is time to check back up once more on the conditions of these two cemeteries.

Previously, we had started to see some minor improvements at both of the cemeteries as new road lines had received a fresh coat of paint, some graves were stood back up, and a few vases had been put back on top of a few grave markers.

I was hoping this new wave of progress would be just the beginning of our city starting to finally tackle this enormous issue of city cemetery neglect. When the 2013 Evansville City Budget passed, the cemeteries were  really the only thing I was optimistic about. I fully understood that the funds in this year's budget would only be a drop in the bucket towards completely overhauling both cemeteries. Nevertheless, I fully expected these funds to be focused entirely on the graves themselves, not wasted on needless advertising expenses.

This past week, I was surfing the internet when I noticed an advertisement from Oak Hill and Locust Hill Cemeteries on the Evansville Courier & Press' website...

(click to enlarge)

If you sit on the site for just a few moments, the advertisement, which is known as a banner ad in the online marketing industry, flashes the following line...

(click to enlarge)

Given the conditions of both cemeteries, I am absolutely shocked and appalled that anyone would think their family members would be taken care of properly in a cemetery that decides to buy online advertisements when both of their cemeteries are in deplorable conditions. What makes this decision even more offensive is the fact that they chose to advertise with the only media outlet that didn't have the guts to investigate the conditions of these cemeteries.

As soon as I spoke in front of the City Council last summer about getting funds for Locust Hill and Oak Hill, I was approached by both news stations and 1 of the 2 newspaper organizations. Unfortunately, I was out of town when Lorilyn Prestidge from 14 News called to investigate the situation at both cemeteries, but I was able to show Jordan Vandenberge of Eyewitness News around Locust Hill Cemetery...

http://tristatehomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=536592

And of course, those who visit the City-County Observer frequently remember the initial article that got the wheels turning in the first place...

http://city-countyobserver.com/2012/07/16/evansvilles-grave-injustice-by-jordan-baer/

So why did the city advertise with the only news outlet that DID NOT give one ounce of energy towards getting these cemeteries corrected? Why reward an organization for not doing the right thing? Many people have asked me why the C&P is/was so hellbent on helping Winnecke knock down Roberts Stadium, helping the ECVB construct 8 dull, boring, and overpriced ball fields in the middle of nowhere, and helping the Chamber lobby to construct an interstate that is over budget, redundant, and an environmental nightmare. Well, consider this advertisement Exhibit A for why doing the wrong thing can be the rewarding thing to do in Evansville. Is this really how we want our city to conduct business?

When I spoke in front of the City Council in regards to these cemeteries, I heard the following responses from various members of the council...

" Where is the money tree going to come from?"

" Government can't be everything to everybody."

" I haven't heard any complaints yet from the dead."

What I would like to ask Evansville's nine council members is this- Do you believe the funds approved by your governing body should go towards buying online banner ads for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, or do you think these funds should go towards rehabilitating, maintaining, and preventing further damage to both cemeteries? I know which option sounds better to me!

For those who don't believe that there still is a lot of work to be done, perhaps the photos taken this week at Oak Hill Cemetery will change your mind...

http://s1295.beta.photobucket.com/user/RailOverAuto/library/Oak%20Hill%20Cemetery%20Photos

Another problem that I have noticed with the grave sites has been the complete lack of leadership displayed by the city, in particular the mayor, towards getting these cemeteries going in the right direction. According to photos posted by Carol McClintock that were shared on Oak Hill's Facebook group, Lloyd was at the cemetery during Veteran's Day...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4801572274388&set=a.1793336350370.2104220.1148512234&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4801394629947&set=a.1793336350370.2104220.1148512234&type=1&theater

Since the conditions at the cemeteries has been made public, we have yet to hear even a whisper from the mayor himself about these cemeteries. Given the photo evidence of Winnecke at Oak Hill Cemetery on Veteran's Day, I have to wonder if he took the time to explore the grounds of Oak Hill or if he came just to pose for the convenient p.r photo shoot and then leave. I ask this because it would seem to me that if he genuinely saw the deplorable conditions of these cemeteries he would be more motivated to do something about them other than to go silent on the issue.

When I was walking through Oak Hill yesterday, I passed by a couple of ladies who were trying to fix up the grave of one of their family members. They told me they were embarrassed by the conditions of the cemetery  and that they were tired of it getting worse year after year. It would seem to me that if our city is going to genuinely convince Evansville residents that "your loved ones will be cared for," they should try a new approach that involves actually cleaning up the cemeteries, not buying advertisements with the Courier & Press and only getting involved in the cemeteries when it's camera day.

Update: Slow, But Steady, Progress At Our Cemeteries

It's been a few months, and a few a weeks, since we took a look at the conditions at our two public cemeteries- Oak Hill & Locust Hill Cemeteries.

Back on July 16th, Evansville got a first glimpse of the deplorable conditions at our two city cemeteries...

http://city-countyobserver.com/2012/07/16/evansvilles-grave-injustice-by-jordan-baer/

Since that time, the wheels have been put in motion to get these cemeteries heading the right direction. First of all, I would like to thank Evansville City Council Members Connie Robinson, John Friend, and Al Lindsey for taking the time to visit these cemeteries and then fighting for funding for them. We certainly wouldn't be seeing progress without their leadership. I now urge the City Council to move forward with the $70,000 in funding to repair these cemeteries so that workers may get a jump on renovations before the ground freezes for the winter.

Next, I would like to thank Chris Cooke, Superintendent of Cemeteries, and Todd Robertson, Executive Director of Transportation & Services, for their work on these two cemeteries. Obviously, they are not going to be able to make huge strides on repairing these cemeteries until they receive the proper funding from the City Council. But in the meantime, there has been a gradual display of progress at both the cemeteries.

What are some of the changes that have been made at Oak Hill and Locust Hill?

One of the most notable small improvements made to the cemeteries has been the repainting of the edges of the roads that run through the plots of land...

One of the most important changes that I have noticed is that some headstones that had either collapsed or tipped over have been lifted back up...

Before

After

Before

After

Also, some of the rows of headstones are now aligned in a straight row...

Although I am extremely satisfied with the progress that is being made, I do want to reiterate that we still have a long way to go. We still have headstones that need to be fixed...

While others need to be aligned in straight rows...

By far and away, the best part about the progress being made at the cemeteries is that there is now flowers from family members being put on some of the graves that were being neglected...

Moving forward, my only complaint is this- I do not feel like it was a good decision for the city to advertise these two cemeteries in the Courier & Press. When the conditions at these two cemeteries was revealed, both news stations as well as the City-County Observer reached out to me to see what they could do to help get the problems corrected. The Courier & Press failed to acknowledge these conditions and thus it makes no sense for them to be rewarded for their legendary protection of yet another city administration.

Also, if there were any funds spent on these advertisements, they should have been set aside for cemetery maintenance and repair instead of a C&P advertisement. Over the next few years, it is going to be extremely difficult obtaining funds to keep these cemeteries in good standing as well as repairing the damage that has been done over the past century. Any funds given to these cemeteries by either the city or a private entity needs to be spent wisely.

Overall, I now feel very confident in the future of both Oak Hill & Locust Hill Cemeteries. I am very pleased with the progress we have made in such short time. I also look forward to the next round of improvements and repair.

As more updates become available, I will report them. I am also willing to pass along any news regarding these two cemeteries from city officials that they send me.

Thank you everyone for your support for these two cemeteries and let's keep the momentum going!

Thank You Connie Robinson

Today, we received more great news towards our goal of rehabilitating Oak Hill & Locust Hill Cemeteries. City Councilwoman Connie Robinson has joined our side...

http://city-countyobserver.com/2012/07/31/councilwoman-connie-robinson-appalled-by-condition-of-oak-hill-cemetery/

"My investigation of this cemetery that is on the National Register was shocking and disturbing. I was literally appalled by what I saw. I found broken tombstones, tombstones that had been knocked over, and others that were only a few feet apart. It was obvious they had been broken or displaced for a long period of time."

First of all, I would like to thank Connie for taking the time to go visit Oak Hill Cemetery. Yes, I can put a 1,000 pictures on here showing the conditions of Oak Hill but the cemetery is really one of those things you have to see for yourself. I encourage ALL City Council Members to follow suit.

Next, I would also like to thank Connie for switching her stance on this issue. As we all know, changing a stance can be very hard sometimes especially when you are surrounded by other politicians who are doing everything they can to make sure you don't change your position. What Connie did today was a sign of leadership.

As we move along, I think it's very important that we remember this day. Today proves that if our city leaders commitment to doing a little research on the issues, they will find the proper solutions. I believe wholeheartedly that Connie would have also been a supporter of Roberts Stadium as a mid-sized arena if she would have seen early on the good it could have done to promote diverse shows, acts, events, and sporting games.

I have now added Al Lindsey, who was a co-sponsor to Councilman Friend's resolution, as well as Connie Robinson to the wall of support on the right hand column of this blog! Thank You!

Evansville's Cemeteries Have A Friend On The Evansville City Council

Today, I am very pleased to report that the wheels are now in motion towards getting Oak Hill and Locust Hill Cemeteries back into a condition that is respectable and honorable.

City Councilman John Friend has submitted a resolution that will be placed on the docket for this Monday's meeting calling for additional funds to repair and renovate our two city cemeteries...

http://city-countyobserver.com/2012/07/19/city-council-resolution-on-cemetery-maintenance/

I would like to thank Councilman Friend for bringing about a quick resolution to this problem. Although the actual work is going to take much, much longer, we are now heading in the right direction. Therefore, I urge all 9 Council Members to vote YES on this resolution.

Councilman Friend has already done what Lloyd Winnecke can't and won't, and that's give a damn about our city. Even though we are dealing with a problem that has been brewing for many decades, Councilman Friend has been willing to boldly step forward and tackle this issue head-on. Wouldn't it be nice if we had this type of leadership in all our city offices? Wouldn't it be nice if we had city leadership that genuinely respected the will of the people, the history of the city of Evansville, as well as the commitment to getting Evansville turned around?

Today, we have found that in Mr. John Friend. I urge any and all who take pride in these cemeteries to stand behind Councilman Friend as we take off on a trail towards rebuilding this famous local landmarks.

On Monday, please support Resolution C-2012-16!

Yes, Oak Hill Is Our Arlington Cemetery

Although I am more than satisfied with the response this blog has received since debuting on the City-County Observer last week, I am also a little perplexed at one of the responses that was posted on the CCO.

Despite just about every single poster being in favor of rebuilding both Oak Hill and Locust Hill Cemeteries, there was one person who felt like we should not worry about these areas because they are "not Arlington Cemetery."

Obviously, only Arlington Cemetery can be Arlington Cemetery (which is having problems even worse than what we have), but I don't think that is what the poster was alluding to. Rather, it appears to me that this poster is claiming that Oak Hill and Locust Hill are nothing special and thus should be left as is.

There is one problem though with this belief- it isn't true. Both cemeteries, especially Oak Hill, ARE Evansville's version of Arlington Cemetery.

Locust Hill houses a resident who has a title that no one in the United States can lay claim to. James Bethel Gresham was the first American to die in WWI. Although his mom's house can be found next to Garvin Park (let's make sure we stay on the Parks Dept to get this house in pristine condition), Mr. Gresham himself is buried at Locust Hill and is surrounded by many other veterans from WWI and WWII.

As for Oak Hill, who can you expect to see there (besides my favorite mayor Hank Roberts)?

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCFM7_Oak_Hill_Cemetery_Evansville_IN

"Oak Hill Cemetery property was first developed in 1853. Originally, there was 80 acres. Currently, the cemetery contains 175 acres.

The first burial in the cemetery was 2 year old, Ellen Johnson. Since, many famous and known Evansvillians have been buried here. There is a "family-sized" mosuleum area in the cemetery for these prominent citizens, including Mead Johnson, founder of Mead Johnson & Company Pharmaceuticals, which sits on an island in the cemetery's south side. There is a section of the cemetery dedicated and containing the interred bodies of Civil War vets, both from the North and the South in separate plots.

Other notable interments at Oak Hill include
*Conrad Baker - Indiana's 15th Governor from 1867 to 1873
*George Buckner - first black US Diplomat to foriegn country (Liberia)
*Charles Denby - Civil War Union Army Officer
*George Denton - US Congressman from Indiana 1st District from 1917 to 1919
*Winfield Denton - US Congressman from Indiana's 8th District and son of George Denton
*John Foster - Civil War Union Army Officer
*John Foster - US Congressman from Indiana's 1st District from 1905 to 1909
*William Heilman - US Congressman from Indiana's 1st District from 1879 to 1883
*Edward Mead Johnson - CoFounder of Johnson and Johnson
*James Lockhart - US Congressman
*William Parrett - US Congressman from Indiana's 1st District from 1889 to 1893
*William Wilson - US Congressman from Indiana's 1st District from 1923 to 1925

There are approximately 5,000 graves in the cemetery"

Basically, anybody that accomplished anything in Evansville in the late 1800s/early to mid 1900s is buried at one of these two cemeteries. If you get a chance, take a stroll through one of these cemeteries. You will find a legend around every corner. Shouldn't we treat them like legends?

Evansville's Grave Injustice

I will never forget the day I visited Oak Hill Cemetery. As I crossed through the famed entrance gates to the facility, I was there for one reason only- to pay tribute to the mayor whose goals, visions, and ideas I seek to replicate with my own career. Before I arrived at Hank's burial marker, I was already engulfed with feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, devastation, and depression due to the fact that I didn't have a victory for Roberts Stadium in tow with me to deliver to Mayor Roberts. Yes, I did finally make it to Hank's headstone...

But what I would see on my way through the cemetery was nothing short of despicable. It was like nothing I have ever seen before, it was a Grave Injustice.

No matter what part of Oak Hill Cemetery you visit, you will surely pass through many plots that are reminiscent of ruins from an old civilization. You will see headstones crushed, leaning, tilting, laying upside down, sitting on top of tree branches, and completely out of line from the rows they were originally intended to be in. Even worse is the fact that this isn't just one, two, or three grave sites that have these problems. Rather, we are talking about hundreds, maybe even thousands, of grave markers that are in disrepair.

After viewing the dilapidated condition at Oak Hill Cemetery, I then took a trip to Evansville's other public cemetery- Locust Hill Cemetery. As I expected, Locust Hill was a carbon copy of Oak Hill. Truth be told, the only areas in these cemeteries that are in acceptable condition are the areas being taken care of by our local veterans organizations. The rest of the areas in both of these cemeteries should be acceptable to no one.

As someone who has a great amount of respect for the veterans, the icons, and the residents of Evansville's great past, I refuse to allow these cemeteries to remain like this, and I would hope the city of Evansville would refuse to allow this condition to get any worse than what it currently is. What kind of message does our cemeteries convey to our guests, visitors, and outsiders about the way Evansville views its deceased?

In order to get these cemeteries turned around, I have made the decision to do everything in my power to get the word out about the condition of our public cemeteries. First of all, I have created the blog- http://agraveinjustice.blogspot.com/ - so that residents can view pictures of what the cemeteries look like as well as receive updates on them 24/7 from the comfort of their own home. Secondly, I will be asking local lawmakers for their support in making sure these problems don't continue to be left unattended. Lastly, I will be asking local residents to voice their concerns about these two cemeteries. I ask that any and all residents who are embarrassed by these horrendous conditions will write into our local media as well as our local leaders.

Yes, we have a tall task ahead of us in making sure that all of the deceased have a proper headstone surrounded by a lot that is maintained. But we can, and we will, accomplish this goal if our city is willing to take pride in both its past and present cemetery grave sites.

Alexander Memorial Cemetery- What Justice @ A Cemetery Looks Like

A simple and quick visit to the privately owned Alexander Memorial Cemetery, located on Evansville's west side, will give local residents the proper vision and idea of what our publicly owned cemeteries should look like. At Alexander Memorial Cemetery, you will find headstones that are clean, in great shape, and in order. This should be the goal of our public cemeteries...

A Grave Injustice @ Locust Hill Cemetery