Being respectful




Close to my home there has been a memorial set on the side of the public road to a tragic accident victim named Monique. I apologize for forgetting her last name.

I am sure she was a wonderful person who did not deserve whatever terrible tragedy took her life there. Unfortunately the tragedy could not have taken place less than five years ago. The memorial is still there, neatly maintained, which I appreciate, but I still have a problem with it.

Imagine if you will, two, three or more memorials on the side of all public roads. What with relentlessly increasing popula- tion in this world, do you think that couldn’t happen?

Therefore, I say roadside memorials should only be allowed for one, repeat, one year. After one year all memorials should be removed from public thoroughfares. This is because thoroughfares are made for conveyance. They are not made for anything else, which in my opinion applies to advertising as well, but that’s another subject.

From time immemorial most of us should know that all civilizations have created special places to honor the deceased, both natural and tragic. They are called cemeteries.

Now it immediately comes to my mind that the shrine/memorial keepers will cry they are too poor to purchase and maintain plots in cemeteries. At this point, since the aforementioned relentlessly increasing population is a fact, perhaps we all would be willing to be taxed for some kind of arrangement to the certified eligible, within reason.

I hope it will be understood these suggestions are well meaning.

K. C. Durfee

Cornell



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