I had a metal cross specially made and placed it to identify Shane Wylie's gravesite in the Prince George cemetary. It remained on the site for 19 years, and someone hung ornamental lanterns on it-a hockey jacket, and placed flowers on the cross and in the holders on the plaque with his picture imbedded in the ground.
It was NOT an eyesore-nor could it have involved any undue labor in cutting the practically non existent grass.
Upon my return to Prince George I immediately went to the cemetary, to discover the cross had been removed. I attended at the office, and was told they GAVE it to a fellow who stated he had known Shane. They did not even ask the person to leave a name, and address.
Two women, who obviously were attendants at the cemetary, told me the fellow visited Shane's gravesite frequently and they would get his name for me, so I could have the cross returned.
Many months have passed, and still no cross-and apparently the fellow has stopped attending occasionally, so they state.
I do not believe the city of Prince George had the RIGHT to dispose of the items people had placed at gravesites which were causing no hardship with the maintenance of the cemetary. This city maintained the most disgraceful cemetary I had ever seen, and it had remained in a deplorable condition for many many years. Then to simply remove everything and GET RID OF IT showed total disrespect for the visitors. They claimed they warned the public, but if one no longer resided in the city-the warning was of no value. I paid for 5 other plots when Shane was buried here, and have had title to them for 20 years now. (I realize their intention was to work diligently to change the deplorable condition of the grounds.)
I owned property in the city all those years, and was not hard to locate, as they always had my change of address for tax purposes. They never lost that!
They stock piled all items in a small area, and informed visitors to "take whatever you want."
Simply put--I WANT THE CROSS RETURNED.
I wonder at how many people feel this was a cold, heartless act, and will resent the city's arrogance and lack of respect for the living for years to come. You may be beautifying the grounds, but it did not benefit the broken hearts of those who had left the little gifts to be heartlessly disposed of.
Was it really necessary?
June Geisser
Prince George
