To the city of Orange City: Duane Feekes

I am voicing my opinion about the current rules on allowing decorations at the city cemetery. I know I am speaking for many concerned citizens. Rumors have gone around that people (the city) were complaining decorations were in the way of the mowing. I also heard people have said the cemetery looked tacky and messy. No matter what, there should of been a vote about this decision.

The way the situation was handled was down right rude, heartless, with no respect at all for the grieving. There was an ad in the Advisor about removing things by a certain date, but I do not feel everyone had the opportunity to read it. The decorations were simply taken away in trash bags and thrown into the maintenance shed behind the bandshell for people to pick up. They were thrown on the ground, many of these decorations had much sentimental value. A friend of mine went to pick hers up, and she said they were broken or missing. While picking them up, an elderly gentleman was crying searching for his deceased wife decorations and flowers that are always on the stone because he visits everyday. My friend tried to help him find everything but they were missing except for one piece, which was broken. The man cried “Why would they do this, do they have no respect?”

Many calls were made to Duane Feekes’ office and he never answered. Messages were left, none were returned. According to the Advisor Ad, anything that was not attached to the stone or on the ground were to be removed. I witnessed flower arrangements that were on top of the stone, spiritual rocks, plaques, pictures, that were still on the actual stone (out of the way of any mowing) were taken away. Balloons were taken down, that were attached to the stone.

People need to honor their loved ones the only way they know how. By placing memories, leaving cards, having devotion lights, rocks that were blessed by the clergy, fresh flowers, decorations for the different holidays, basically any decorations, because its a way to grieve and many people go there everyday to talk to a loved one. How is it the citys right to say no one can do this? Because of the mowing? Cemetery’s around the area don’t have this rule. Now when you drive by or through the cemetery, its sad and bleak and its making a lot of citizens upset. What really upset me is that I heard many stones were splattered with mud and grass that no one could not even read the names of the deceased. It was from mowing the grass too short, that actual mud was reached and blown on these stones. I drove out there and yes it was true and there were a lot that way. It was awful and so disrespectful.

These plots are paid for by the loved ones. They are expensive and it is their property. Its almost an act of vandalism that things were taken away. I used to drive through the cemetery at night to look at all the lights that were placed by loved ones. They were always next to the stone. It was beautiful. They certainly were not in the way of mowing.

Mr Feekes, an online petition has been made. The goal is to get at least 100 or more signatures to present to you that change must be made to this ordinance. Its not your right to determine how and why people grieve. Its not your right to break memories, to say these plots belong to the city, when you know this is totally and utterly wrong. I am ashamed of how the city handled this. Do the right thing and allow decorations back in the cemetery, at least those that can be placed on the stone.

Look in the comments to sign the petition.