Jesse Hamm steps up, offers to mow this week

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

An old, neglected cemetery on Old Mill Rd., once part of the county poor farm, will be mowed and maintained now that county officials have discussed the land is the county’s responsibility.

County clerk Tina Spencer told commissioners Monday she researched the cemetery’s ownership after a question arose during public comments at the Sept. 9 meeting.

The cemetery is at the corner of nine to 10 acres of land the county has owned since the poor farm was in operation.

The poor farm’s house was sold off in 1964, but the cemetery and property around it remained in the county’s possession, Spencer said.

She passed photos of the property and showed a videotape of herself walking in the cemetery. The tallest strands of grass reached the top of Spencer’s thighs.

“There are some little concrete bunkers,” commission chairman Kent Becker said. “I don’t know if those are explosives bunkers.”

Commissioners agreed the cemetery should be taken care of.

“It’s a shame for a cemetery to look like that,” commissioner Dianne Novak said.

Candidate Dave Crofoot suggested the county wait until winter when county employees need something to do.

“You’re here, Jesse, why don’t you do it,” candidate Trayce Warner said.

Warner said she knew someone who would probably volunteer.

Becker asked if commissioners needed to agree to contact someone willing to volunteer.

Road and bridge superintendent Jesse Hamm ended the discussion.

“I’ll get it taken care of this week, how about that?” Hamm said.

Commissioners and members of the public said, “Thank you, Jesse.”