5/7/19
A faded sign on the property of cemetery on Boulevard Street in Cleveland (file photo)
(Cleveland)- A perpetual care cemetery in Cleveland that was cited last June for allegedly not following through with its perpetual care obligations has apparently has not made any effort to improve conditions. That item was on the agenda for Monday Cleveland City Council meeting. Mayor Shan Ash said prior to the discussion of the issue that ” I think that all of us have had numerous complaints about this cemetery and the issues going on.” He told several people, who have family members buried at Gateway Memorial Park (AKA Mountain View Memory Park) and attended the council meeting, ” we want to give you an update on what the city has done about these issues and what you can do as a group to help with it. ”
City Administrator Tom O’Bryant said after the city was made aware of the conditions at the cemetery last year they investigated and took pictures, but were made aware that that type of facility is regulated by the Georgia Secretary of States office and there is not a lot that they can do about it.
O’Bryant said an investigator with the Secretary of States office last month has requested information about the owner and any complaints the city has received.
O’Bryant said the city has sent additional letters to the owner, Chris Shelnut, and requested that he address the issues of maintenance at the cemetery. Mayor Ash asks everyone involved, those who have family members buried there or own a lot to formally complain to the Secretary of States office and that can be easily be done online http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/12
Ash said the more people who file a complaint will help obtain a permanent fix to this situation.
Thank you to the Cleveland City Council for attempting to gain information and a solution to the problems at Gateway Memorial Cemetery. After all these years of visiting the cemetery and placing flowers on our father’s grave, it is both sad and upsetting to see the condition of things there. We have not even allowed our 91 year old mother to visit or told her about the situation, as we know she would be terribly upset. We appreciate your efforts on behalf of the families affected by this mismanagement and carelessness.
Brenda Stovall Cain