Concerns raised over cemetery care in Lackawanna County
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Concerns are being raised about a local cemetery as many pay their respects this Memorial Day weekend.
People are upset and concerned about the lack of upkeep at the burial ground in Scranton.
Some sections of Washburn Street Cemetery are in really bad condition.
People visiting the cemetery Sunday, who 28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli spoke with say the lack of care has been happening for a long time and they want something done about it.
Paul Stanton originally came to drop off flowers a few days ago at his wife’s grandparents’ grave marker in Washburn Street Cemetery but quickly realized he would spend Memorial Day weekend cleaning it up first.
“Well obviously we couldn’t just drop them off. We came back on Saturday my son and I with the weed whacker so we could at least clear that spot,” Stanton said.
You’ll find tall grass, plenty of trees, and tipped-over tombstones in many sections of the cemetery.
“It’s unbelievable,” Stanton added.
The grass that is growing up to the knees has even made it difficult for people to locate gravestones.
That’s the case for Charles Newcomb who has several family members buried in the cemetery.
“My mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and my brother-in-law, and we just came over here to find their grave and we can’t find it because of the grass being too high. It’s terrible, deplorable conditions,” Newcomb explained.
The cemetery is centuries old, full of history, and populated by primarily Welsh immigrants and victims of the Avondale Mine Disaster.
It’s also filled with veterans and prestige, too. The cemetery is the final resting place for Hilary Clinton’s father Hugh Rodham.
Gas prices climb for Memorial Day weekend
“It’s all cleaned out around there. Fresh flowers planted around that. Someone takes care of that obviously,” Newcomb said.
But those I spoke with at the cemetery want to see all of it be taken care of and look presentable.
“At least cut the grass so that people who do want to come in here and put flowers on the cemetery can do that,” Stanton explained.
“You shouldn’t own a cemetery if you can’t afford to take care of it, cuz Lord knows it takes a lot of money to open a grave over here,” Newcomb stated.
28/22 News left a message Sunday for the caretaker of Washburn Street Cemetery. We have not yet received a response.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
