That’s a good question and I told the Valley Voice the reasons why . Maybe it didn’t seem to them as being important. The reasons are that every service is going to have different circumstances on three main factors . Factor 1. The number of people attending factor 2 the location of the grave and factor 3 the available roads . I saw one large funeral where everyone was standing next to their cars not sitting inside . The grave was in the middle of a section and to far away from the roads . In that case people are allowed to get out so they can hear. This section has 4 roads surrounding it so access was good . A funeral where the grave is close to the road the people are told to stay inside their cars because they could hear with the windows down . The funeral in this article was large but there was only one road so access was terrible so people farther away from the grave were allowed to get out . The people up close had to stay in there cars because the grave was next to the road . To be respectful of people and because of the geography of the cemetery and graves and road access, every service will be on a case by case basis . So in clear terms. If the grave is close to the road everyone has to stay in . If it’s a small funeral than it’s everyone. If it’s a large funeral with lot of cars and the grave is near the road , the people close to the grave still have to stay in their cars but the people fathers away can get out . If the grave is far away from the road everyone can get out , large or small funeral. A larger funeral is harder to control . It hard to keep track of everyone. This situation is new to everyone. Mistakes are going to happen but no one gets preferential treatment. Thanks for your question

Mr. Presant perhaps you should have re-read the last paragraph …”The underlying issue at TPCD is not that certain families got preferential treatment while others didn’t. The issue is the large amount of distrust and lack of communication between the members of the board, between the constituents and the cemetery staff, and between the Trustees and the people they serve, making setting and enforcing policy almost impossible.” …. before you posted your comment. But then again you did validate what Catherine wrote. I don’t understand why this constant infighting has been allowed to go on for all these years. So very tired of all the finger pointing at each other and no one seems to be trying to work together. Our tax dollars can be put to better use than to fund this frat house mentality that exists between each and every one of you people. You all need to be expelled.

Where do you think I got the office manager’s quotes that are in the article? I got them from the office manager, Leonor.

Of course I talked with her. And as you emailed me she left for vacation last Thursday so I was unable to get an update so you filled in for her as best you could.

Last year the cemetery audit committee presented at a board meeting a list of all existing policies. A burial policy was not included as it does not exist. Yet Tulare has been burying people successfully for many decades.

My frustration after reading this article is knowing that the Valley Voice never afforded our cemetery manager the ability to comment or give any input in regard to this specific issue. And it is deplorable that the negative opinion of a board member was actually included in this article to attack our manager. Attack the board chairman if you must attack someone.

Many in the Tulare area know there are issues with the board communicating and working together. I wish it were different, but it isn’t. Difficulties exist, yet people in the community indicate an affirmation that things are improving. The majority of the board is focused on doing is what is best for the improvement of the district and Tulare community. This year has seen a remarkable positive change in the operation and appearance of the cemetery. Increased future staffing, appropriate pay, increased morale, and our great financial status are giving us the ability to secure future bids for long overdue capital improvements to the grounds and buildings. Positive things are happening.

Steve Presant
Chairman, Tulare Public Cemetery