Sharing Updates from "Clean Up Floral Hills Memory Gardens" Facebook Page

"Now accepting photos at cleanupfloralhills@yahoo.com !! put Photos in message line.

Please send all info regarding volunteers and equipment/donations (no money accepted) to cleanupfloralhills@yahoo.com.

 Put "cleanup" in the subject line !! 

 Thanks to all for everything you have accomplished thus far !!!! We look forward to seeing you here on Apr 27th, 2013."

"Please be aware we at Clean up Floral Hills Memory Gardens are not accepting any Monetary Contributions. 

We are not soliciting donations for money. We only ask for your support, your sharing, your help and your caring. 

We accept your time, your equipment, your donations of water and other needed items on days of scheduled clean ups. We need your hands, your gloves, your sweat and we will be there for your tears. We are for Community togetherness and support the Stand Up initiative toward a better place for those we love. 

Thank you all for all your support and we look forward to meeting all of you on the 27th of April 2013 !!!!! Stage 1 Chillicothe...were on a roll !!!"

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"The Ohio Revised Code on Cemeteries around Oct 1st, 1953 didn't think it was necessary to spell out every single step to do to protect this from happening, people had morales and people cared. Nov 21st 1973 when 517.27 was updated , people still cared.. On Oct 20th, 1999 when 1721.06 tried to regulate how Cemeteries used their income..people still cared. We are a society of " I want's"...and have forgotten how to care. When 1721.19 of the ORC was made effective on Mar 23rd, 2000 we started to realize the direction society was moving and gave (B),(3) any peace officer, as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, may arrest without a warrant any person who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed any act in violation of division (A) of this section that also is a violation of law and SHALL make the arrest within a reasonable time after the commission of the act in violation of division(A) of this section."

How Sad This Never Came to Pass: "Avocational Archaeology Outreach, State Register of Archaeological Landmarks, State Archaeological Preserve, and Abandoned Cemetery and Unmarked Human Burial Ground Protection Programs"

I checked with Mr. Tonetti this morning about this proposal and learned that it was not implemented.  

 

"Costs of Implementing the Recommendations Made to the House Select Committee Studying the Effectiveness of Ohio?s Historical Programs and Partnerships"

Alan C. Tonetti -- Trustee, Ohio Archaeological Council

February 1, 2002

"Avocational Archaeology Outreach, State Register of Archaeological Landmarks, State Archaeological Preserve, and Abandoned Cemetery and Unmarked Human Burial Ground Protection Programs"

"The estimated cost of these programs, $200,000, is based on our cost estimates for establishing a three-person office for developing and implementing these programs. These programs involve outreach to private organizations and citizens, state agencies, and local governments to protect archaeological sites and places of human burial. The State Historic Preservation Office frequently works with these stakeholders and should develop and implement these programs. The Ohio Revised Code requires the Ohio Historical Society to cooperate with avocational archaeologists and develop a State Registry of Archaeological Landmarks and an Archaeological Preserve program."

"Although the Ohio Revised Code does not require the Ohio Historical Society to develop and implement an abandoned cemetery and unmarked human burial ground preservation program, a program to help protect the tens of thousands of abandoned cemeteries and unmarked human burial grounds in Ohio is urgently needed from both a social and economic standpoint. Ohio is one of the few states that does not have state legislation specifically designed to protect such places. The lack of such a process results in stalled economic development projects while disputes concerning the ownership and treatment of such places are addressed in lengthy legal proceedings. The protection of abandoned and unmarked cemeteries is strongly supported by the public. Successful protection programs demonstrate that protection is most effectively accomplished by inviting the participation of local government planning agencies, law enforcement agencies, affected landowners, preservation organizations, and citizens into the process of creating and implementing the program."

"Group Trying To Clean Up Chillicothe Cemetery In Disrepair" - WCMH: News, Weather, and Sports for Columbus, Ohio -- Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio

Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio

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There is also a Facebook Page set up for the Floral Hills Memory Gardens clean up campaign!

Sharing Information from the Facebook Page:

About

A sad neglected Cemetery that is being forgotten by our leaders. The owners have abandoned it and the Township refuses to care for it. The Attorney Generals Office has filed suit against it....but it sits in the hands of the legal system unkempt.

Description

A cemetery that is located at 4284 US RT 23 Chillicothe, OH 45601. 

The owner, Joseph Miller, filed CH 13 after fleeing to Nevada.  His partner, Ronald Downey, has fled to Michigan. Neither has left any means of upkeep and care of the grounds and are refusing to honor any of the prepaid services that have been purchased through the cemetery. 
 
The Attorney General filed a suit against the 2 owners in May 2012, with nothing of any signifigance being done to get a resolutiuon to the problem. 

One of the items Mr. Miller is trying to do is surrender the property in lieu of taxes owed. By ORC the property would then be handed over to the Township where the property is located. (Huntington Twp, Ross County). The problem is Huntington Twp has refused to accept responsibility for the grounds due to the trustees claiming they are not finacially able to maintain the grounds, they also state they have sought guidance thru their "Prosecuter" and have been advised that they do not have to take it. 

With all legal issues aside ..it is the attempt by this group to bring this tragic situation to the public and clean up the Cemetery grounds and find a resolution to further the maintenance of the grounds.

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Latest Update:

"Floral Hills suit ruling expected on Friday"