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Danville Cemetery Committee to take on fake flower issue

June 03, 2007|TODD KLEFFMAN

The City of Danville's Cemetery Committee will meet Monday with plans to finally lay the artificial flowers issue to rest.

At the called meeting, at 5:30 p.m. at city hall, committee members will discuss among themselves what restrictions should be placed on the use of artificial flowers at the city's two cemeteries, Bellevue and Hill Dale.

Though the meeting is open to the public, comments from the audience will not be accepted, said Chairwoman Mimi Becker.

"Not to be rude, but we've heard it all. We need to move on," Becker said. "We need to take this opportunity to make a decision and make a recommendation to the City Commission."

The commission has already approved a new cemetery master plan that calls for major enhancements to Hill Dale and Bellevue over the next several years. An effort to adopt new rules and regulations to back up the master plan hit a snag, however, when many residents objected to the restrictions placed on artificial grave decorations.

Public and private comments

The cemetery committee's original recommendation allows artificial flowers only between November 15 and February 15, and around Easter and Memorial Day. The argument against the flowers is that they create litter and mowing hassles when they are not well maintained.

While comments at public meetings have been overwhelmingly in favor of more leeway in the use of artificials, Becker said committee members also have been hearing a lot in private from those who believe the decorations are more blight than beauty and should be restricted.

"We've had quite a few public comments, and a lot of other comments as well from calls and people on the street," Becker said. "The number of comments (favoring the restrictions) is approaching the number on the other side. It's going to be interesting."

After the cemetery committee decides on the issue, a recommendation will be sent to the City Commission for consideration, perhaps at its June 11 meeting.

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