THE OBJECTIVE

CLATSOP CEMETERY DISTRICT FORMATION COMMITTEE

Show me your cemeteries, and I'll tell you what kind of people you have. " ... Benjamin Franklin

Representatives of the various cemetery authorities in Clatsop County met and formed a committee to explore the possibilities of forming a countywide cemetery district. It is our primary objective to increase the awareness, and stress the importance of our historic cemeteries as sources of community pride, while promoting an attitude of reverence and respect, and encouraging the further preservation of these unique historical resources for future generations. Through more than a century and a half, places of memory have been established without adequate provision for the maintenance. Duty calls to the present to preserve the past. We, living on the foundation laid by those, whose cherished memories are fading, have an opportunity to shoulder and share the responsibility, and establish a structure that will survive from generation to generation. The proposed Clatsop Cemetery District will serve as the custodian of the cemeteries of Clatsop County. The district will gather records from all the cemeteries into a central database, giving more convenient access to burial records for those tracing genealogies or attempting to locate forgotten graves. A single board will formulate policies and respond to concerns of the public. One cemetery supervisor will coordinate maintenance and operations of the various cemeteries providing a consistent level of care, as well as overseeing restoration, beautification, preservation and development projects. Ours is a grassroots effort. Coordinated community support throughout Clatsop County, in each part of the county, including each city council, the County Commission, and all the voters of Clatsop County will be necessary to establish and adequately fund this special district.