About a decade ago, I advocated for better conditions at Fairview Cemetery. At the time I was not yet a complete persona non grata at the Morning Call, and they did a story on my efforts.
About 5 years ago, a much younger man, Tyler Fatzinger, took over the effort to make the cemetery management more responsive to families of those interred there. Fatzinger campaigned to get the city involved through the weed codes imposed on other property owners. However, it appears to me that the city is not sincere in their effort.
At a recent magistrate hearing, which was postponed way too many times, the cemetery lawyer claimed that the cemetery is a pollinator meadow, and worse, the judge took that nonsense under advisement. Even worse, the city didn't protest the ruse.
I can assure the district justice that those families who paid for perpetual care weren't told that the cemetery was a pollinator meadow. I can assure the code officer that those now paying for perpetual care are not told that there will be no mowing because the cemetery is a pollination meadow.
I witnessed another district magistrate bend the law for the city at a citizen's expense.
It's time for Lehigh County Court to end this abuse of citizens. The district courts cannot be run with a wink and nod to the city, abusing those that they're supposed to serve.
ADDENDUM 2:47 PM: Fairview Cemetery was found guilty of violating Allentown's Weed Ordinance. However, beyond court costs of $92, no fine was levied. That's a lot cheaper than mowing 55 acres.
Please name the magistrate.
ReplyDeleteThese people come up for re-election every few years and there is usually very little discussion of their records.
I’m sure those who support proper care of the cemetery would love to know who heard the case when they eventually go to vote for magistrate, as would anyone considering challenging the incumbent.
anon@4:39: A little research on your part would reveal his/her name. However, in fairness to the district justice, it's still under "deliberation", so that is why I didn't include names in this post.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I started researching some of the Allentown merchants from the early 20th century. One of them was a Mr. Shimer. He had been a dealer in lamps and carpets and had a store on Hamilton Street. His family lived in a beautiful, large row house on South 10th Street between Hamilton and Walnut. He went on to be a trustee of Cedar Crest College, an investor in the development of the west end, and a member of the Livingston Club. Later I located him and his family in a large circular plot at Fairview. The family plot was marked with a large obelisk in the center, bearing his name, and individual headstones in a circle delineating each family member's burial spot. A few years ago I was walking through Fairview midday and I saw that the individual Shimer stones had been moved, as if shoved into a pile at the back of the plot. Then I was informed that Fairview was private property and not open for strolling, and I was escorted out. This cemetery has been desecrated by the people who have been managing it for the past 2 decades. I suspect that many of the original plots have been ruined either deliberately or by neglect. I realize the neighborhood has deteriorated since Trexler and other city leaders chose to be at Fairview, but a new cemetery association and new management need to be put in place. Keeping people out also keeps the Find-A-Grave people from doing a list of stones so that families can find their relatives. And removing stoves is unconscionable behavior, and perhaps an illegal violation.
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