Letter to the Editor

Open grave

Friday, June 24, 2005

Dear Editor:

Wherein does responsibility lie?

During Memorial weekend I had again stopped at my son's gravesite, needless to say, I admit, I was coping with tears...but another two steps backward I would have fallen into an open grave. My car was nearby, but my family would have just assumed I'd left with someone else. There were little plastic flags around the excavation, but there should have been a sheet of plywood to cover or a grate of some kind until interment.(1-2 days)

Everyone, little children, and animals are endangered. I called a city official to report the situation... the comment made was that the Catholic section is solely their upkeep and "that dogs aren't allowed in the cemetery." There are a lot of smart dogs... but (I) doubt that any of the them have the intelligence to read. (I) see many folks jogging/cycling throughout the cemetery often.

Was then told to call the Catholic church....the priest was not there...the gent who answered the call could have been a "gardener," no response other than the person opening the grave was at fault.

It was rainy and pretty cold, had I fallen in and survived the fall it would have been a miracle to be rescued, would anyone have even noticed? (I) could have been buried alive. Seems this is a very important issue...there are so many insignificant issues that are dealt with everyday... what is wrong with a mandatory law regarding safety? (I) cannot believe the lack of concern by those in charge.