In response to the last City Council meeting, and the plans for the Cemetery Association request to use the railroad easement from Simms Street to Cohagan Park.

See original story: Council discusses bridge construction issues

I am curious as to why the homeowners that have property adjoining this easement were not asked their opinion.

The easement in question is tree lined and making a road would require trees that, now block noise and foot traffic and add ascetics be removed.

I have witnessed enough people in Cohagan Park after dark to know that, with a road these people either on foot or in a vehicle will now be in my backyard. I don’t believe that after dark people are attending to grave sites and are probably there for the wrong reasons. In speaking to a member of the Association, I was told they would put up a fence with a locked gate. Gates and signs with Hours of Operation and Visitation do not seem to deter people now.

The cemetery already has two entrances and adding another to the cemetery is unnecessary. There are not enough services to require another entrance to the cemetery.

I am also curious as to whether the city owns the property and has the right to make such a change. Who will pay for the debris removal, materials and build up of the proposed road? The easement is also narrow and there are steep drop off points and water issues and will this road construction lead to any type of flooding to our property? Also, since there are such deep drop-offs what about the liability issues if someone should have an accident?

Simms is a very narrow street and with the drainage ditch making a right hand turn on to Hwy 77 from this proposed road would be difficult, if not dangerous.

Has an engineer been consulted with this plan?

Has the Cemetery Association considered the facts? And again will the city or the Cemetery Association be paying for these changes if allowed?

I am not the only homeowner asking these questions and more.

The city already looks in shambles with vacant lots, abandoned houses, debris piles and unkept lawns.

Do we need to cut more trees down and add make shift roads that will not be aesthetically pleasing to the city?

Sincerely,
Donna Garner
Homeowner

Comment by John Droll – March 24, 2010, 7:35pm

Ms. Garner,

I appreciate your concerns about the proposed action.

No decision was made at the last council meeting. The association was asked to meet with the head of the Public Works Department and Fire Chief. They will come back before the council with a recommendation.

On my way home tonight I checked to see if the cemetery entrance was still posted with no entrance signs from 6 pm to 6 am. The signs are still there. If you see someone in the cemetery during those hours, and especially after dark, please call the police department so they may investigate. They may have the option to issue a trespass warning or have the association post correct signage if that is the problem. It may only take informing the people about the hours.

This issue first came before the council at least 5 years ago. My opinion is that the Cemetery Association bear the cost if this is approved.

Councilman Guthrie brought up the issue of the steep drop-off and Councilman Richards mentioned the condition of the Sims Street intersection with Hwy 77 so these issues will be considered.

I brought this option up 2 months ago because I’d rather not have an entrance off Hwy 77 to such a large, vacant area.

This was posted on the agenda for last month’s council meeting and you or your neighbors would have been welcome to voice your opinion. It will be posted again when it comes back before the council so please watch for it on the Neotribune and come to the meeting.

I would also welcome you to call (7329 ext 102) and make an appointment with Teri Murdock, our city administrator. She can always try to answer your questions or get an answer for you. She is a wonderful asset to our city.