20 ~ Wednesday, June 25, 1997 — North Shore News Grave tending troubles Mourning NV woman wades through weeds By Anna Marie D’Angele News Reporter dangelo@usnews.com SOME dead people in North Vancouver get no respect. Or so it seems to North Vancouver resident PAL. Reiss. Reiss has been visiting hee grave at the North Vancouver Cemetery since he as buried there two years LO. The cemetery is located north of Capilano College Lillooet Road. It is always full of weeds. grass is rarely cut. When a ty worker does get around to doing some mowing, the cut grass is never raked. “At the ume you are involved in so much grief. If I ever knew abour this, there is no way I would have my father buried there,” said Reiss. The ¥2-vear North Vancouver resident called the cemetery’s condition “appalling Parks manager Bill Granger said the old part of the ceme- tery on the north and west side is not on a regular main- tenance schedule and there is no perpetual fund established to maintain that part of the cemetery. Granger said the grass in the ald cemetery is cur bv parks staff about three times 4 sear in keeping with the bud- get. Interestingly, when a News photographer visited — the cemetery oon Thursday evening, the area had been trinumed and groomed But Reiss said she shocked to see waist-high weeds in the old cemetery on Father's Day. Granger said part of the cemetery is covered by a perpetual care furd. He d the fund generated only 2,000 in interest last year. “Thar owas not nearly enough to keep it in a park- Nike state.” said Granger. He said $130,000 is spent a year te maintain die ceme- and conduct burials. vers foot most of the Granger said a tenth of the internment fees of a private cemetery are charged at the municipal cemetery. Granger said he receives a couple of complaints a vear. “People are concerned that there is grass lying an their headstone plaques and things like that,” said Granger. Nurth Vancouver Citv Councillor Stella Jo Dean said the cin is aware of the prob lem and has tned ta come up with a solution. Two vears ago, a proposal came before counci for young offenders to tend the cemetery as community service work. City administration met with CUPE president Mike Hocevar focal 389, but munic- ipal workers objected to the plan, she said. “The city was very happy to carry on with thar pro- gram,” said Dean, “but it went to the union and that’s where it stopped.” Meanwhile — Reiss has bought a hand push mower to tend ro her dad’s grave. She mows the grass and weeds around her father's grave and surrounding graves every OwOo weeks. “Tosee so many people doing the same thing and everybody seems all upset. Yo ot to remember these She said people cemetery ask to borrow her grass chpper to tidy up the graves of other loved ones. “Il don’t think they (the city) would get away with it if Granger aid the cemetery established in 1907. There bout 10,000 people buried in the cemetery. One price fits all*. Pacific Honda is pleased to offer you special prices on replacement mufflers, brake pads & shoes for your Honda Civic and Accord. Factory replacement & original assembles mean you won't have to make any hidden payments for any additiona! parts and instailation. REPLACEMENT .MUFELER: - : = $12 0a* installed, onty taxes extra There's no price fike home na 8g iy installed, only taxes extra There's ‘s no price like hom 4 installed, only taxes extra oe eee There's no price like home. es | } Kia There's no price like home. eer reenter: Seamatata chain *Some eweptans may 40y check with Ine service dept. to contarn your avact made, ST ne eno doen bane 28. 1997 ‘Not vahd with uny ofrat otfer, promouon oF discount. Machurung axtra f requied 725 Marine Br. North Van. 984-0331 Pi : bade by iden and thet aceomnanyitig-tamilyame Ibets..”, . _-prtludes advertised Sale items, f ? certificates, soda and HELLO! Phone ass, PARK ROYAL sour H w-Shopping Centre.