Wednesday, May 9, 2012

I Love Cemeteries, says new Commissioner Shanon Materio

Photo by PB Daily News
The inscription above the entrance to Woodlawn Cemetery reads:
That which is so universal as death must be a blessing.

Built in 1905, a cemetery uplift is being considered at Woodlawn Cemetery located on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach and that would be a blessing. The City is asking for volunteers to maintain the cemetery plots.

Staff is finally showing some respect for the dead who bought plots there and expected the cemetery to be mowed and cared for and the stones maintained. Who wouldn't? The City's recreation director, Christine Thrower, is asking for $300,000 from the CIP which will also include replacing the chain-link fence and the irrigation system. Donations for an additional $200,000 are being sought. Shanon Materio, newly appointed commissioner in West Palm Beach, has suggested that the city set up a foundation just for cemetery restoration or involve their Art's and Public Places Committee in the headstone restoration.

The City of West Palm Beach is also considering raising the price of burial plots from $1,000 to $1,500. There are 750 spots available but staff is asking for multiple urns to be allowed in one burial plot and if no coffin, allow up to 16 urns.

It is truly pathetic when a city will not take care of its public cemetery. We have had the same problem in Lake Worth. We need to respect all those who came before us and who put their trust in a city to care for their last resting place.

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