As a trustee of the Jersey Settlers Cemetery, I read today’s story (March 28th) about the theft of materials at the cemetery with some puzzlement. I fear you have been misinformed.

First, there is no new management at the cemetery and there are no new rules. The rules currently in effect at the cemetery have been in place since 1996 and although they may be changed as a result of this incident, they currently remain in force.

On March 20, I was contacted by Ms. Robin Latham and Ms. Kassandra Kraft, who informed me there had been a theft of personal items they had placed at graves at the cemetery. They said that they had asked the Adams County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the thefts. They also wanted to know if I or any other trustee or employee of the cemetery had removed the items. I told her that none of us had done so.

I also informed them that since the rules of the cemetery clearly state that the cemetery has no liability for personal items placed at the graves that their best course of action was the sheriff’s office and that we were willing to assist the sheriff’s department if they contacted us.

To date the only contact that we have had with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is a statement that they were searching for the missing items. When and if new rules for the cemetery are promulgated those owning plots at the cemetery will be informed.

Gary O›Neal

cemetery trustee,

Jersey Settler Cemetery