KXO RADIO - Linda Cook Proves One Person Can Make A Difference

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Todays is : Thursday, 08 January 2009

Written by George Gale
Tuesday, 26 September 2006
(ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE)…FRIDAY THE GOVERNOR SIGNED A BILL AMENDING LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE CEMETARY AND FUNERAL BUREAU WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE LEGISLATION WAS AUTHORED BY STATE SENATOR DENISE DUCHENY-MORENO, BUT WAS INSTIGATED BY LINDA COOK. COOK IS A LOCAL WOMAN WHO BECAME INCENSED WITH THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE AT THE MEMORY GARDENS CEMETARY ON HIGHWAY 86 BETWEEN IMPERIAL AND BRAWLEY. COOK HAS FAMILY BURIED AT THE CEMETARY AND WAS ANGERED BY THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS AND FAILURE OF ANY RESPONSE FROM THE OWNERS OF THE CEMETARY. SHE FOUND THE STATE LAW DID NOTHING TO FORCE THE OWNERS TO MAINTAIN THE FACILITY OT ACCOUNT FOR THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS DESIGNATED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SHE APPROACHED THE COUNTY, WHO DIRECTOR HER TO THE STATE SENATOR. THE LEGISLATION WILL REQUIRE THE BUREAU TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS OF MAINTENANCE FOR ENDOWMENT CARE CEMETARIES UNDER ITS JURISDICTION. IT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THE STANDARDS ARE IN PLACE. COOK SAYS IT IS A SMALL STEP TOWARDS FORCING THE PHILADELPHIA BASED OWNERS TO IMPROVE THE FACILITY, BUT SHE SEES IT AS A STEPPING STONE TO FUTURE SOLUTIONS.