This week, the Riverview Cemetery in Huntingdon was hit by vandals. 33 stones were damaged or destroyed. Estimated damages are in upwards of $10,000.00. The vandals were apprehended and are currently in the county lockup. That's the good news. The bad news is none of the three are employed nor are they capable of paying for the damages. The cemetery is maintained by Huntingdon borough. There are not funds available to make the repairs to the stones. In all likelihood, if the borough has insurance coverage, the amount of estimated damage would not exceed their deductible. So that said, the stones would remain broken. I spoke to the Mayor this evening about the incident and about how to help with the repair of the damaged stones. I'm going to meet with the Borough Manager to get a list of the names of the stones that were damaged. When I get that information, I'll send an announcement to the llist and post it on the county web site as well. All of us know the importance of cemetery stones. The information on a tombstone is priceless. Without that information, tracing our ancestors would be nearly impossible. Sometimes it is nearly impossible with the stones. This is where all you great list members enter into the picture. I'm asking that if there is anyone interested in making contributions toward the needed repairs to send their contributions to: Huntingdon Borough 530 Washington St. Huntingdon, PA 16652 Please make checks payable to "Riverview Cemetery Repair Project". All contributions are tax deductible. Furthermore, all money received will be used only for the needed repairs. That was the stipulation I made. I want to see the money used solely for the repairs and nothing else. I got a guarantee from the Mayor that the condition would be met. You can take that to the bank. His word is good. I want to personally thank everyone in advance for their time and concern. I hope that we can help in a huge way. There are nearly 400 subscribers to this list and we are in a position to make the repair and restoration possible. Thanks again. Ken Boonie Co-Coordinator, PaGenWeb Project Huntingdon County http://www.rootsweb.com/~pahuntin/ Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Ken, Do you know if these acts are misdemeanors or felonies under the penal code? Would be nice to know they would do jail time if convicted. Strong medicine is needed to send a message to others of that ilk. Thanks. Mike. 30711. 7:23pm ET ................ At 07:12 PM 7/11/03, you wrote: >This week, the Riverview Cemetery in Huntingdon was hit by vandals. 33 >stones were damaged or destroyed. Estimated damages are in upwards of >$10,000.00. The vandals were apprehended and are currently in the county >lockup.

Mike, From the write up in the local paper, these guys are going to the big house. They were charged with several felonies along with multiple misdemeanors. I think that should get the message across to them. Maybe instead of making license plates (PA state prisons used to make license plates and still might) they should use prisoners for cemetery restoration. At 07:24 PM 7/11/2003 -0400, you wrote: >Ken, Do you know if these acts are misdemeanors or felonies under the >penal code? Would be nice to know they would do jail time if >convicted. Strong medicine is needed to send a message to others of that ilk. > >Thanks. Mike. 30711. 7:23pm ET Ken Boonie Co-Coordinator, PaGenWeb Project Huntingdon County http://www.rootsweb.com/~pahuntin/ Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.