Last week I learned that about two years ago the corporation that operated Evergreen Cemetery in Camden declared bankruptcy. After not receiving a paycheck for several months, the caretaker quit. Since that time, little or nothing has been done at the cemetery in the way of maintenance. Due to the bankruptcy, responsibility for the cemetery now falls under the NJ State Cemetery Board. The City of Camden isn't involved since it isn't a picture of financial health. This morning I spoke with Lola at the State Cemetery Board (973-504-6553) and was told that the NJ Attorney General's office has prepared a case that it anticipates will go to court this fall. Deputy Attorney General Nancy Costello-Miller is preparing the case that asks the court to appoint a receiver to take over the business of Evergreen. Burial records would go to the receiver. There is income being held and it would be used for maintenance. I spoke to a woman in the City of Camden Property office who said that Evergreen is located in a part of Camden typical of many urban areas that have experienced decay. Her father is buried in Evergreen and she said that weeds cover much of the property and it is a target of vandals. Her father, a WWII vet, had a bronze plaque on his gravestone that was stolen. She said the VA was supposedly going to replace that and others. She noted that New Camden Cemetery, across the street from Evergreen, is well maintained. I have relatives buried in Evergreen and intend to continue to monitor the situation. -- Malcolm Schalick Sharp School of Policy, Planning, and Development University of Southern California http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~msharp http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~sharp