On Tue, 27 Oct 1998, John Wm Sloniker wrote: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- City can build over old cemetery Judge orders remains moved for youth center By PAM McGAFFIN Herald Writer Tuesday, October 27, 1998 SNOHOMISH -- The city of Snohomish should be permitted to remove and relocate human remains at an old cemetery where it wants to build a youth center, a judge decided Monday. <snip> The controversy surrounds Snohomish County's first cemetery and the final resting place for about 300 pioneers and Indians. The last documented burial at the site was of an Indian woman, Pilchuck Julia, in 1923. In 1947, the cemetery was split by the construction of Highway 2, now Second Street. Prior to building the road, the state highway department had at least 111 sets of remains removed and reinterred at the G.A.R. Cemetery west of town. Over the next 40 years, volunteers periodically cleaned up the cemetery, but it was vandalized, fell into disrepair and became overgrown. The poor condition of the cemetery was key to Judge French's ruling. "The sanctity, respect and dignity to which the deceased are rightly entitled have been lost and forgotten long ago," he wrote. "Too much time has passed and too much neglect has occurred for this Court to conclude the interests of the deceased are better served by allowing them to remain in their present location." <snip> You can contact Herald writer Pam McGaffin by e-mail at: mcgaffin@heraldnet.com or by phone at 425-339-3429 //////////////// END //////////////////// That lack of care is the key to the problem. I have an idea that will work in any of the U.S. States, though it will take some planning & preparation. Find the local small cemeteries in your areas that are no longer active and get the title transferred to an entity or established group that has an interest in local history, with restrictions on future use included in the title transfer. With proper restrictions a tax emption should be possible on the land so that a non-profit Historical group can do it. For research, check the history of Woodland Park in Seattle. That land was deeded with restrictions of park use only, not to be devided. Didn't work. Well, almost. Seattle & WA state wanted to build a high- way right through the center, and got their way for US-99 However, the compromise was connecting bridges, above the highway so that many don't notice when using the park. They didn't have grave sites to deal with. Today we have new laws in Washington state that require the "active" in use cemeteries to have a Perpetual Care plan in effect to keep them the way they are now "forever". At least that's the plan. For those that don't have such a plan, new burials aren't allowed. The new law allows for inactive cemeteries to become active with the porper Perpetual Care plan in place. There are also provisions for Historical cemeteries, but they must be recorded as such. Planning & paperwork. Hopefully this will provide some ideas for others that know about a few neglected cemeteries. Give it a try. John *====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====* # John Wm Sloniker <johnwms@serv.net> Seattle, WA # # (206) 789-6663 7323 - 19th Ave NW 98117-5612 # *====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*