Cemetery board has not resolved concerns

Being a native of Watertown, Brookside Cemetery has always been very special to me. The peace and comfort I have found on these sacred grounds cannot be adequately expressed here, and I visit regularly. Sadly though, I must address the removal of personal items from the places they had held for many years, a removal that took place with callous disregard to any grieving person's feelings or rights.

When I attended the oversight committee meeting recently, I anticipated an explanation for that act. To this end I asked several questions pertaining to how and why this had happened; my questions were met defensively and were never really answered. On and on this went: questions asked, circuitous answers given. In between, that is, accusations, name calling and questioning of motives.

I was particularly offended by the insinuation that my emotions were less than genuine and being used to support one man's run for the board. This is categorically false. I was there (I thought) to help right an egregious wrong, and although there were those who appeared to have the same agenda, others seemed to be deflecting attention from what brought us together in the first place.

My hope was to find some peace and be able to put this behind me, but that was not to happen. Ultimately I left prior to the conclusion of this meeting, because I was not there to choose sides. I am not concerning myself with who is on the board, but instead how that board makes and carries out its decisions.

To me we each purchased the inalienable right to memorialize our loved ones in any way we see fit, providing of course that it does not endanger anyone else. To begin to label certain items as garish or inappropriate is simply unfair.

This situation could have been avoided altogether had someone chosen to examine the possible ramifications of such a drastic act. Failing that, had the board owned up to their mistake instead of going on the defensive and insulating themselves from the fray, a civil resolution would, in all likelihood, have already taken place.

To this end I will be taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with the board directly, hoping once again to find some measure of understanding and peace.

Donna Holter

Watertown