Chris Clegg
South Peace News

What to do with the dead, or at least where their final resting place is, was on the minds of Big Lakes County council July 13.

County grants officer M.J. Valiquette presented her report called Cemeteries; 2016 Status of Cemeteries Within Big Lakes County and Neighbouring Areas, to council.

“If we can put toilets in hamlets, we should be able to do something with our cemeteries,” said Gilwood South – Sunset House Councillor Ann Stewart.

“We should look after our cemeteries,” said Faust Councillor Robert Nygaard, adding later that council should only look after county owned cemeteries.

Stewart did not agree.

“If we’re going to do it for one, we should put money into them all,” she said.

Prairie Echo – Salt Prairie Councillor David Marx was leery of spending money, unless specific.
“It has to go to maintenance. There has to be a reasonable amount.”

“A little bit … once it’s used, it’s used,” said Stewart.

“It’s a tough one for me,” said Kinuso Councillor Ken Killeen. “Some of the communities look after them nice.”

Reeve Ken Matthews said council has some responsibility regarding cemeteries.
“I still think we have an obligation to look after them,” he said.

“It wouldn’t cost a whole bunch of money,” added Stewart.

Killeen suggested giving each of the 17 cemeteries $500 each year but a motion to that effect was defeated, with only Joussard Councillor Ed Podollan and Nygaard voting in favour.

Marx moved option three as presented. It includes:

* Develop and implement a cemetery grant for consideration;
* Encourage cemetery volunteers to speak to local hamlet-recreation community groups and consider amalgamation or partnerships;
* Contact cemetery “owners” to inform them of the condition of the cemeteries and request remedial action;
* Provide local cemeteries with a Revised Big Lakes County Guide to Cemetery Preservation; and
* Investigate alternative funding which may be available to groups maintaining and/or operating cemeteries. Forward information to applicable groups with an offer to help in preparing applications.

“I don’t believe we should be in the business of looking after cemeteries,” said Marx.

Only Nygaard opposed the motion.