Talk about long-term planning

Early day residents of McCook did an excellent job of selecting sites for the community's cemeteries. Located on what was once the western edge of town, the final resting places stand on high ground, overlooking the Republican River valley and the western sweep of the countryside.

But, with McCook approaching its 125th birthday, the time has come to look at the current status of the cemeteries and to determine how well -- and how long -- they can serve the community.

Stepping forward to take on that task is Kyle Potthoff, who in 2004 became the city's director of public works. With the aid of the cemetery sexton, Chris Hall, and the city manager, John Bingham, Potthoff has compiled a nine-page report for City Council consideration.

Based on his study of the situation, Potthoff believes the city needs to take immediate action on cemetery issues.

On stone height, Potthoff concludes, "It is the staff's recommendation to set a height restriction of four feet in height for all stones that are erected in Block 15 (of Memorial Park Cemetery)." The recommendation is in sharp contrast to the low level stone philosophy, which would have set stone height limits at six inches above the ground.

It had been suggested that low-level stones would make mowing easier for the city staff, but Potthoff takes issue with that premise. Unless the land is absolutely level, the public works director said mowers can gouge the stones. Also, he notes, trimming actually takes more time around flush stones than it does around upright stones.

Another consideration, Potthoff said, is the impact flush stones would have on local monument companies. "Not only would it (the low stone requirement) put these companies out of business, it would also decrease the amount of city sales tax collected," he declared.

Potthoff also urges the City Council to upgrade the cemetery sprinkler system and suggests the purchase of more land if the city wants to stay in the cemetery business.

Potthoff has done an excellent job of looking at cemetery issues and suggesting possible courses of action for the city. The study deserves careful consideration by members of the City Council, followed by action to address immediate and long-range cemetery issues.