Preservation: More work needed to clean up cemeteries
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"Our community does care," Wood County Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said during Monday's commission meeting.
He was talking about the sense of pride some people have in being able to take care of the many cemetery properties that dot our communities and rural areas. But there is still a lot of work to be done, and not quite enough people to do it, if we are to preserve and take proper care of those grounds.
Wood County Historical and Preservation Society President Bob Enoch was updating commissioners on the use of funding received from the country back in 2022. It has helped the organization buy equipment and pay workers to clean up some of the many "forgotten" cemeteries in our county. Approximately 350 cemeteries have been mapped.
"It is a long overdue service," Enoch said.
Long overdue, and worthy of more effort than is already being put forth.
Volunteers do their share, and those hired to help are paid $12 an hour. But there is a challenge in getting enough of those paid workers on board.
Enoch said he is confident more people will come forward to help.
So, is Colombo right? Do we care enough to help continue this very important job?
Our history and our families are important to us here in Wood County; always have been. Consider whether you are able to help clean up and preserve the cemeteries that give us a touchstone to that history and our ancestors. WCHPS members will be happy to welcome you into that mission.