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Preserve dignity of cemeteryFor many years, Edmonds Memorial Cemetery was severely neglected and in a dreary state of disrepair. It was the subject of jokes by local residents. It was the type of cemetery you recall seeing in a horror movie. Vandalism took its toll on the cemetery, complete with profanity painted on the gravestones of our early settlers. The people of Edmonds had done the ultimate in disrespect to the founders and pioneers of this city.Now, with the excellent cleanup and renovation work which has been done, those whose final resting place is in this cemetery are finally getting the respect and recognition they deserve. The cemetery is being returned to its former excellent condition. Just as things are looking up for the cemetery, the Edmonds Cemetery Board is considering allowing the burial of DOGS in the cemetery!Don’t get me wrong! I like dogs just as much as the next person. I simply do not believe that this is the appropriate direction that this cemetery should take. Edmonds Memorial Cemetery is filled with gravestones bearing the names of our early settlers such as Brady, Cook, Langrill, Deiner, and Fourt-ner. I do not believe these pioneers envisioned being buried near the likes of Spot, Fifi, Toby or Marma-duke!George Brackett, founder of Edmonds, is buried here. When his family buried him here in 1927, I do not think they considered the possibility of Fido the bulldog being buried nearbv.When Christopher R. Roscoe, Edmonds; first treasurer and fourth mayor, arrived here in 1888,I doubt that it crossed his mind that his final resting place would be near that of Friskie, the shaggy collie.Wellington F. Smith, one of the first councilmen, made the long journey to Edmonds from fary away Corry, Pennsylvania in 1885. When his wife Flora, and children Ethel and Allen buried him here in 1899, who would ever think that Tinka the maltese pup would find her resting place here too.Edmonds Memorial Cemetery should be a place where we can honor those who helped build the City of Edmonds. It should be a cemetery which can stand tall, look proud and offer a beautiful legacy in memory of our veterans and early pioneers. Allowing the burial of dogs in the cemetery will make it a place to go for a good laugh, effectivey returning it to the joke it once was.I hope that concerned local residents will join me in writing to Mayor Larry Naughten and the Edmonds Cemetery Board to ensure that one of Edonds’ most historic sites is preserved with dignity.Timothy A. WalkerMountlake Terrace
Newspaper Details
Edmonds Enterprise
Edmonds, Washington, US
Wed, Apr 09, 1986
Page 4
Full Page
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Anonymous
AK, USA 07 May 2022
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