Dear Bob,
After reading the May 29, 2009 article in the Webster-Kirkwood Times on “Quinnette Cemetery” I was struck by your two quotes in the article,
"This property is unique and historic," said Sears. "It really deserves the respect and care it's receiving now after decades of neglect by everyone except a few descendents who wanted to be sure it was not forgotten ...The cemetery has a careful and good custodian in the park board." …
Sears said some community members were concerned that the cemetery had been designated a park, but Sears said putting the cemetery under the care of the park board was the most practical way to ensure it is taken care of.
"That's what was important to me," Sears said. "No more sale to a developer. Once it gets into private hands, you don't know what they're going to do to it. Nobody should expect any changes other than the ones we just talked about," Sears said, referring to the new signage, the walkway and the two memorials.
First, I have to wonder why you made the statement, "That's what was important to me," Sears said. "No more sale to a developer. Once it gets into private hands, you don't know what they're going to do to it.”
I presently am unfamiliar with what “important” actions were done by you or the Park Board while you have served on it to take or keep the Quinette Cemetery property out of private hands or from a developer? Just how was the property ever going to a developer when it has been owned by the City of Kirkwood since 2001?
Yet, I do know the history of how Mayor Swoboda along with City Council secured and protected that historic and hallowed ground for our community. It was not until more than 2 years after this achievement that I got to know and become friends with the Mayor. But, even then he was still working with other dedicated citizen volunteers on commissions like Landmarks and Architectural Review, in addition to Parks to see Quinette’s restoration and preservation was moving forward. He was so thankful for all the hard working, teenage volunteers of Youth-In-Action, who cleared portions of the cemetery. Plus, the hard work of members of Kirkwood’s VFW Post to bring proper honor to the veterans buried there. Mayor Swoboda not only set in motion the protecting of Quinette from any possible development, but he also worked hard to rally many other resources in our community to do their part, thus making Quinette Cemetery that much better.
Just to present the facts, here is the record of the vote taken. It shows exactly who among our elected officials in 2001 cared enough to ensure Quinette Cemetery was put into public hands:
July 19, 2001 – Resolution 69-2001A – Roll Call Vote as Follows:
Council Member Godi --- “No”
Council Member Griffin --- “Yes”
Council Member Lynch --- “Yes”
Council Member McDonnell --- “Yes”
Council Member Noonan --- “Yes”
Mayor Swoboda --- “Yes”
Council Member Ward --- “Yes”
It is interesting to note that none of the six City Council members that voted “Yes” were/are members of any of the alleged Greenspace or Restoration or Preservation groups in our community. Yet, these public servants knew how historic and important it was to preserve the hallowed ground of Quinette Cemetery. Their actions speak louder than any words. Their actions speak louder than any endorsements from in-name-only groups that have for years produced little to nothing in the way of additional Greenspace, increased Restoration or productive Preservation for our community.
Given your quote, therefore, could you please enlighten me and the readers of this blog with what “important” actions were done by you or the Park Board while you have served on it to take or keep the Quinette Cemetery property out of private hands or from a developer?
Your Fellow Kirkwoodian,
Joe Toenjes
===================================================================
If you would like to make a comment, then hit the "Comment" link below.
.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
Posts
1 comment:
From Bob Sears
Joe, (These are my own thoughts, not any official position of the Park Board.)
What was important to me was the same as what was important to many people -- some of whom are noted in your post. When Mayor Swoboda and some on the Council asked the park board to consider accepting the responsibility for the care, maintenance and future preservation of the cemetery, I felt it important that the Board respond favorably to that request for several reasons.
What the Mayor and Council had asked us to do was controversial and met with opposition, but it was the right thing to do. I was proud of the Mayor and members of the Council first, for taking initial responsibility and second for asking the Park Board to accept the property into the park system. I was also proud of the Park Board which rose to the challenge and in the face of real controversy, agreed to accept the important responsibility for the long-term care and maintenance of this historic property so important to Kirkwood's history.
From the time the property was obtained by the City to the time the Park Board voted to recommend that the Council designate it park land, the City faced a problem: Under which City division would Quinette be most well placed? The answer, according to the Mayor and the majority of the Park Board and the Counsel, was - with the Park Board.
From the first, I agreed with the Mayor's suggestion. I had, and still do have, complete confidence in the Park Board to treat the cemetery with the reverence and dignity that it deserves. I did not expect the decision to accept Quinette into the park system to be as controversial as it was, but I believed that the principle should be enough guide the Board through the controversy and not the other way around.
The Park Board's action was important for at least the following reasons (all of which were important to me as they, hopefully, were to you):
1. the permanent preservation of the property. Since it is designated park land it can only be transferred with a 2/3 majority vote of the citizens, essentially ensuring that it is permanently preserved. That was not true before the designation.
2. the care of the property. The property needed careful and responsible tending. It was the view at the time and is likely still the view that the Park Board is the only city entity that could take over the care of Quinette within its budget to provide the regular care and maintenance the property deserves.
3. the expertise to care for the property. Related to the previous note is the realization that the Park maintenance crews have the equipment and expertise to respectfully keep the cemetery property in proper condition.
The actions taken by the Park Board since the designation by the counsel of Quinette have proven that it was worthy of the Mayor's well-considered request. And yes, Joe, all of this was important to me. It was also important to the Mayor who, along with others on the Council and in Kirkwood, first put the concept of protecting Quinette Cemetery in motion by bringing it out of private hands.
Prior to that thoughtful action, there were but a few citizens who paid much attention to the property. As a community, we owe our thanks to those few citizens, the Mayor, the Council and the Park Board (not necessarily me or any particular member) for taking the right action to make sure one of Kirkwood's most important historic elements gets the attention and care it is due.
Thank you for the opportunity to address your questions and to bring a small part of the story of Quinette to the attention of even more Kirkwoodians.
Bob Sears
Post a Comment