The "Scioto Post" feature story (November 16 2020) by Jeremy Newman.:
"200 year-old Southern Ohio Cemetery Vandalized Again in Less than a Year" brings tremendous heartbreak for those who have been following the sad saga of this tiny rural abandoned cemetery that only has 26 Find A Grave memorials. The article states that the Vinton County Sheriff is investigating.
The extent of the damage is sickening and saddening. No cemetery should be subjected to such disgusting desecration. The photographs tell the story beyond what any words could convey for understanding.
A Facebook page entitled "Moonville Rail Trail Association" today (November 16 2020) also broke the news about this latest vandalism attack on the tiny burying ground. Included in the post is a link to the "Go Fund Me" account set up for the needs of the Moonville Cemetery.
Once again we are reminded that in the State of Ohio, cemetery grant fund money is only available to certain categories of cemeteries. Inactive / abandoned, family, and for-profit cemeteries are excluded from receiving cemetery grant money funds that originated from the passage of HB168.
Once these pioneer burying grounds are gone - they are gone for good; and we can't take them for granted.
Ohio's lawmakers need to strengthen and update existing Ohio Revised Codes that impact all of the state's cemeteries.
The passage of stronger legislation is crucial. It should include funding for any cemetery in crisis regardless of its status -- i.e. registered and non-registered cemeteries alike.
Over the years, several posts have been shared here about active cemeteries with no owners, for-profit cemeteries that have multiple unresolved long-standing complaints about those responsible for them.
The list of problems goes on and on.
The need is urgent for Ohio's cemeteries which are all at risk for vandalism or for other reasons; and sadly remains so as we move toward 2021.
