Folks, we in California have been supporting several list members in efforts to obtain historic and small cemetery preservations. Maybe, just maybe, more listers will take notice that California law makers have shunned almost every attempt to save and preserve in California. Once-upon-a-time, people in the Northeast and the "Westerners" exclaimed how backwards the "Commonwealth of KY" seemed to be. Now take a look and compare to what you do NOT have in California. <<<<<<<<<<< SNIP >>>>>>>>>>>> The Kentucky Department for Local Government is accepting applications for Grants from The Kentucky Cemetery Preservation Fund. The new Kentucky cemetery Preservation Fund Program has $423,000 in this SECOND funding cycle for maintenance, preservation and restoration activities. Examples of maintenance activities include initial cleanup and landscaping, fencing, signage and improving interior roads. Preservation and Restoration Activities include acquiring conservation easements, surveying boundaries and repairing and cleaning tombstones. Other Activities that are eligible for funding are Historic research, Archiving, Training to support cemetery preservation and improving access roads. Counties may establish five member County Boards to apply for Grants. State Agencies, Local Governments, and certain nonprofit organizations - cemeteries, historical and genealogical groups, and local civic groups - also may apply. Priority is given to County Boards. The maximum Grant that a group can receive is $25,000 and the minimum Grant is $1,000 and a local one-to one local match is required. A FIVE member State Board will oversee the program and make funding decisions. Applications and instructions are available on the KY website at: > www. dig.ky.gov <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< SNIP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> SOURCE: KY DLG press release January 2004 <<<<<<<<<<< SNIP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kentucky seems to be among the most modern governments in the USA. What is wrong with California or your State? Is it Politics? Land Developers? or Particular Politicians in Particular administrations? JOHN in CA

John, You raise some very valid points and I have been aware of Kentucky's efforts toward cemetery preservation enhancements. Former Governor Gray Davis vetoed a bill in 2000 that would have created the California Historic Cemetery Commission. The commission would have documented and registered historic cemeteries in the state, solicited participation by volunteers to visit them to record their condition, listen to those who might speak about problems that other cemeteries had in common, and provided information and referrals to those interested in undertaking projects. The commission would have operated on $150K or less per year. Commissioners would serve without pay. Every section of California would have been represented by local area preservationists with knowledge of their particular areas and problems. The commission would have been able to recommend ways to raise funds for grants in order to help with the cost of these projects. The bill passed both houses with only 5 NOE votes. The Governor vetoed it without even allowing its supporters to make the case for the need. I was not sorry to see Davis go. Unfortunately he seems to have left the state so bereft and in debt that it may be decades now before we might be able to find a legislator to assist us in yet another historic cemetery commission bill. Thanks for pointing out the good things the state of Kentucky is doing. Every year California does nothing about preserving the old graveyards it will continue to lose even more to bulldozers and natural elements. California is not a progressive state, in my mind, if it can push for more development and settlement at the same time that it fails its citizens of the past. Sincerely, Sue Silver, State Coordinator California Saving Graves Family in California since 1850 ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Cc: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 8:45 AM Subject: Cemetery Preservations > Folks, we in California have been supporting several list members in efforts > to obtain historic and small cemetery preservations. Maybe, just maybe, more > listers will take notice that California law makers have shunned almost every > attempt to save and preserve in California. > > Once-upon-a-time, people in the Northeast and the "Westerners" exclaimed how > backwards the "Commonwealth of KY" seemed to be. Now take a look and compare > to what you do NOT have in California. > <<<<<<<<<<< SNIP >>>>>>>>>>>> > The Kentucky Department for Local Government is accepting applications for > Grants from The Kentucky Cemetery Preservation Fund. > > The new Kentucky cemetery Preservation Fund Program has $423,000 in this > SECOND funding cycle for maintenance, preservation and restoration activities. > > Examples of maintenance activities include initial cleanup and landscaping, > fencing, signage and improving interior roads. > > Preservation and Restoration Activities include acquiring conservation > easements, surveying boundaries and repairing and cleaning tombstones. > > Other Activities that are eligible for funding are Historic research, > Archiving, Training to support cemetery preservation and improving access roads. > > Counties may establish five member County Boards to apply for Grants. > > State Agencies, Local Governments, and certain nonprofit organizations - > cemeteries, historical and genealogical groups, and local civic groups - also may > apply. Priority is given to County Boards. > > The maximum Grant that a group can receive is $25,000 and the minimum Grant > is $1,000 and a local one-to one local match is required. > > A FIVE member State Board will oversee the program and make funding decisions. > > Applications and instructions are available on the KY website at: > > www. dig.ky.gov > <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< SNIP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > SOURCE: KY DLG press release January 2004 > > <<<<<<<<<<< SNIP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > Kentucky seems to be among the most modern governments in the USA. > > What is wrong with California or your State? Is it Politics? Land Developers? > or Particular Politicians in Particular administrations? > > JOHN in CA > >