Magnolia Cemetery a scandal

Generations of my family on both sides are buried in Magnolia Cemetery. We also own three remaining plots there?

I personally do not want any sale to go through until we know owner William Arlinghaus is held accountable and the results of a sale will be favorable. We do not want Arlinghaus or any of his cronies or companies to receive one penny or have any hidden interest in the cemeteries after the sale. 

The public should be able to review and approve all documents related to the proposed sale before it is finalized by the Mississippi Secretary of State and all repairs made to the cemeteries before the sale takes place. All perpetual care funds should be fully accounted for and in an escrow fund before any sale. A one-year contract with a reputable road and landscaping company needs to be in place and approved before the sale. After all repairs are made to the roads, landscaping and head and foot stones, weekly grass cutting and trimming should be required.

Lastly, why aren’t these cemeteries being put out for competitive bid rather than forcing a sell to one buyer?

We are asking for a good honest attorney to step forward to help the Magnolia Cemetery Group, and other similar groups, seek justice, protect our loved ones’ resting places and return these cemeteries to their historic beauty.

Richard W. Bryan

Kingwood, Texas

Declare independence from meat

Here are the Ten Best Reasons for barbecuing veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs at this year’s Independence Day gatherings, rather than ground-up animal body parts:

• Focusing on traffic and fireworks safety, rather than food safety.

• Giving your eyes a break from reading government food warning labels.

• Not sweating cancer-causing compounds if barbecue temperature is too high.

• Not sweating nasty E. coli and Salmonella bugs if temperature is too low.

• Not wondering about the real contents of that burger or hot dog you’re chewing.

• Giving your body a holiday from saturated fat, cholesterol, and hormones.

• Not sweating the animal cruelty and environmental devastation guilt trips.

• Not having to explain to your kids why we cherish Fido but eat Babe.

• Enjoying the exploration of veggie meal offerings in your supermarket.

• Celebrating a day of independence from the meat industry.

Malcolm Williams

 

Meridian