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Tensions ran high at Monday’s city commission meeting, as several citizens showed up to express their anger at new regulations at the McPherson City Cemetery.
The issue has been simmering for several weeks since the city instituted the new regulations, which resulted in many memorial plantings being removed. However, Mayor Tom Brown acknowledged those regulations have not been consistently applied. For instance, plantings and pots that were allowed at the north and south of grave markers were taken up, and several shepherd crooks were removed.
“Shame on you for putting all of us through this. It’s been so disheartening,” said resident Bonnie Hopkins.
Cemetery Sexton Randy Pauls told the commission that the pots were tagged and stored, with the exception of ones that were damaged beyond repair. Pauls added that the pots are in the process of being placed back on the markers.
Pauls then outlined some of the regulations for plantings, such as a rule that setting the size for pots as being no larger than 16 inches in diameter, which was protested as well. Some even went so far as to say the new rules were set to make work easier for cemetery staff.
“Changes in the policy were not meant to upset or anger anyone. We apologize for any misunderstanding. Obviously, we did not apply the changes consistently,” Brown said. “The only thing I can say is that we will work to set things right.”
That did little to mollify the crowd, many of which demanded action against Pauls.
“What happened was a criminal act,” said McPherson resident Janet Frans. “It’s grave robbing. There should be disciplinary action.”
Others objected to any changes at all, which sought to bring some uniformity to the cemetery.
“There should not be unity. The day you make that unity is when we all become communists,” said McPherson resident Shirley Kelly.
City officials were quick to defend Pauls, with the mayor pointing out that he has received several compliments about his work. The mayor also pointed out that the meeting where the regulations were being discussed originally was published, and anyone was free to attend that meeting.
“The last time we voted, it was in the paper, and we didn’t see a lot of you there,” Brown said.
Replied Kelly, “There was a reason nobody came. Everyone was content with how it was.”
As calls for action against Pauls increased, or, barring that, who was going to resign over this issue, Brown advised the group that the commission was the body that approved the changes, and as mayor, he is ultimately responsible.
“If you want to get me railroaded out of office, go ahead and start the process. The buck stops here. It’s my fault. I’m the mayor,” Brown said. “That answers that question. Whatever you want to do with me, go ahead.”
Commissioner Michael Alkire jumped in as well.
“I think (Brown) can only take a third of the blame. I voted on it too,” Alkire said. “We’re open-minded enough to say maybe we’re wrong. We want this to be the most beautiful and efficient cemeteries in the state.”
Commissioners said this issue would be revisited in the coming weeks, due to Commissioner Bob Moore being out of town.
“I’m not ready to take severe action. Give us a chance to correct this. Let us work with you.” Brown said.
Tensions ran high at Monday’s city commission meeting, as several citizens showed up to express their anger at new regulations at the McPherson City Cemetery.
The issue has been simmering for several weeks since the city instituted the new regulations, which resulted in many memorial plantings being removed. However, Mayor Tom Brown acknowledged those regulations have not been consistently applied. For instance, plantings and pots that were allowed at the north and south of grave markers were taken up, and several shepherd crooks were removed.
“Shame on you for putting all of us through this. It’s been so disheartening,” said resident Bonnie Hopkins.
Cemetery Sexton Randy Pauls told the commission that the pots were tagged and stored, with the exception of ones that were damaged beyond repair. Pauls added that the pots are in the process of being placed back on the markers.
Pauls then outlined some of the regulations for plantings, such as a rule that setting the size for pots as being no larger than 16 inches in diameter, which was protested as well. Some even went so far as to say the new rules were set to make work easier for cemetery staff.
“Changes in the policy were not meant to upset or anger anyone. We apologize for any misunderstanding. Obviously, we did not apply the changes consistently,” Brown said. “The only thing I can say is that we will work to set things right.”
That did little to mollify the crowd, many of which demanded action against Pauls.
“What happened was a criminal act,” said McPherson resident Janet Frans. “It’s grave robbing. There should be disciplinary action.”
Others objected to any changes at all, which sought to bring some uniformity to the cemetery.
“There should not be unity. The day you make that unity is when we all become communists,” said McPherson resident Shirley Kelly.
City officials were quick to defend Pauls, with the mayor pointing out that he has received several compliments about his work. The mayor also pointed out that the meeting where the regulations were being discussed originally was published, and anyone was free to attend that meeting.
“The last time we voted, it was in the paper, and we didn’t see a lot of you there,” Brown said.
Replied Kelly, “There was a reason nobody came. Everyone was content with how it was.”
As calls for action against Pauls increased, or, barring that, who was going to resign over this issue, Brown advised the group that the commission was the body that approved the changes, and as mayor, he is ultimately responsible.
“If you want to get me railroaded out of office, go ahead and start the process. The buck stops here. It’s my fault. I’m the mayor,” Brown said. “That answers that question. Whatever you want to do with me, go ahead.”
Commissioner Michael Alkire jumped in as well.
“I think (Brown) can only take a third of the blame. I voted on it too,” Alkire said. “We’re open-minded enough to say maybe we’re wrong. We want this to be the most beautiful and efficient cemeteries in the state.”
Commissioners said this issue would be revisited in the coming weeks, due to Commissioner Bob Moore being out of town.
“I’m not ready to take severe action. Give us a chance to correct this. Let us work with you.” Brown said.
