To the editor:

As the pictures show, our rural cemeteries (Hillcrest and Golden Belt) are overgrown with weeds, due to decorations not being removed as per County resolution 2022-08. For the uninformed, here is a condensed version of those rules.

“Fences/other objects placed on or in any grave is deemed improper, injurious, and is in violation of Barton County Policy and will be removed without notice.

Wood, iron, or other crosses, metal wreaths, baskets, or boxes of other objects shall not be left upon any grave. (exception is made for a military decoration). Funeral designs, floral pieces and ornamental items will be removed as soon as they become unsightly. All decorations may be placed on a grave 7 days prior to and shall be removed 7 days after (all major holidays from Easter to Christmas). Notice will be given. Barton County will not be held responsible loss or damage. “

So, why are conditions this bad? First, the county has hired one man to mow (I believe every two weeks). Removal of decorations/trimming is to be handled by the Road and Bridge crew, who are responsible for these cemeteries! Obviously this is not being done despite calls for help from the mower. One picture shows what a clean grave site looks like with a herbicide applied in the spring. The County Board approved this as a control method but it wasn’t done. Why? The sprayer was broken! This is the second year since approval and still nothing was done by the Road and Bridge crew.

Drive through Great Bend’s cemetery and see how well maintained it is. They have a crew of several people to care for a square area that is not much larger than the two rural cemeteries. Then drive through the rural ones and take a close look at all the decorations preventing proper mowing and the resulting weed growth. Many graves are completely covered with weeds. There is an excellent cemetery advisory board, but as one county official was overheard saying, “We have to listen to them but we don’t have to do what they say.

“There are service groups that would be happy to assist the county, but the last time one did help, a couple of citizens complained and they backed down! Taxes keep rising, services seem to be diminishing. I recommend going to the Register of Deeds, taking a hard look at the rules. Then call your county commissioner for a solution. Personally, I believe we need to hire a caretaker full time for the summer. Have him/her given enough authority to actually enforce the current rules and this will be taken care of.

Larry Holtrop

Great Bend