Two more gravestones completed today. The weather is beautiful; almost too hot at times. The restoration of leaning, broken, and fallen gravestones began back in April with approximately one hundred stones needing attention. Today that number is now down to fifty-nine and that number will continue to drop as this project progresses.
All is going well with the cemetery project; however, there is a new dilemma unfolding presently. A question for you: have you driven through the cemetery lately? If you have, then you know the situation regarding the grass, if not, well, the grass is now about three feet high in length. Yes, that number is correct. The lawn has not been mowed since early August 2018. This is obviously putting a damper on the speed of the project. It is also forcing people to bring in their own mowers and weed whackers to knock down and remove the grass from their family plots. Do I need to say, "this is unacceptable!" Families should not have to do this, period!
A bit of background history on the Evangelical Protestant Church. In the 1920s, the Evangelical churches merged with another religious body that is now known as the United Church of Christ. When Reverend John U. Miller of Albany's South End Evangelical Protestant Church died in 2010; it was decided that the church would close. After this decision was made, the United Church of Christ desired to sell the former church building, the pastoral building, and its cemetery as a package deal.
Fast forward to July 2018. The United Church of Christ found a buyer for the properties in Pastor Ronald Myles Jr. and his Healing from Heaven Friends Fellowship. In September 2018, Pastor Myles was contacted regarding the height of the grass at the cemetery. Myles indicated that he only wanted to purchase the church building and not the cemetery; but, a contingency for the sale stated that he had to take all of the properties, including the cemetery. Myles then said that he has no plans to do anything with the cemetery including the care for it.
So, there we have it. An individual or a Fellowship church/congregation that intends to let the cemetery decay.
There is a plan in motion that will hopefully get Myles to at the least get the lawn mowed. Stay tuned...
Thanks for the update. My family has 12 graves there and i still own 2 more plots.
ReplyDeleteIm hopeful that the plan in motion is successful so i dont need to get the media or courts involved.
Ps, many of the plots have perpetual care agreements.
Thank you Chris and please let me know if i can help.
Rsturm@nycap.rr.com
PS, do you have contact info for Pastor Myles?
ReplyDeleteMy son is working toward his Eagle and would like to incorporate an Eagle project at the cemetery. Would someone from this volunteer organization be able to reach out to me? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe city stated that it is aware of the situation at the cemetery. I was told on July 2nd that the city will mow the lawn, then charge, and fine the owner. As of 7/10, we are still waiting for the city to mow the grass.
ReplyDeleteContact has been made with Assem. Pat Fahy's office. She has been given copies of the deeds which shows the cemetery as part of the sale. She has contacted the AG's office for guidance. Will advise when she hears something.
DeleteHaving the city mow and bill owner has also been suggested by her office. Perhaps with her assistance, the City may act.
hi my wife and i saw your news coverage and wish to come help out
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