From Deseret News archives:
Out of space As graves fill, revenue will dwindle
The cemetery is running out of space, which means that the money from selling graves will eventually trickle off as the graves fill, bringing the city's revenue to zero for a nearly full cemetery, with no new options for cash.
Eric Jergensen, the Salt Lake City councilman who represents the neighborhood, said the inevitability of that scenario means it's a good time for the city to start thinking about how to keep this slice of Utah history alive.
"Who's responsible for the upkeep of the Salt Lake City Cemetery, no matter who's buried there? City residents? Families of those who are buried there?" Jergensen said. "I think it ends up being the city residents who benefit the most."
The slight fee increase will not offset the share of city funds that the cemetery uses. The fees pay for $505,500 of the $1.1 million that the cemetery needs each year. That $1.1 million pays the salaries of the grounds crews that keep the grass trimmed, maintain the sprinklers, sweep away grave decorations twice a year and fill potholes in the 20 or so roads that crisscross the east-bench cemetery's hillsides.
About 120,000 people are buried in the cemetery now. The 4,300 empty sites should be enough to last another 15 to 20 years, depending on demand.
Comments
- 'Pirate Radio' fun rock 'n' roll movie 3:02 p.m.
- Cast second fiddle to '2012' effects 3:02 p.m.
- 'Men' goofily targets big business 3:02 p.m.
- Cast helps 'Play the Game' 3:02 p.m.
- Elk Ridge eyeing on late payments 3:01 p.m.
- UK man pulls bus with hair 2:38 p.m.
- Prospective groom drops ring 2:36 p.m.
- Swine flu has sickened 22M 2:35 p.m.
- Obama to want revised war options 2:33 p.m.
- Banks will need consent for fees 2:32 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
305 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
295 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Will state consider gay rights law?
126 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
115 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
110
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
The galactic center shines like firelight through gaps in …
Do you realize how insurance and annuities work? Guess not because they are...
A 2008 survey by sexologist Li Yinhe shows a mixed picture of public...
To UM, Bigotry is irrational. No explanation is possible or required....
Why do they have to be "gay members" of the military? Why can't they just be...
you are speaking the truth. it about time somebody points out AK's worth to...
This is nothing more than propagana. As long as people can lable these guys...
'But the constitution also allows for the free exercise of religion,...
A former BYU professor claiming that Mormons are "mainstream"?? Who...
re: SJ | 2:16 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009 "What a bunch of garbage on these...
To: Jeff R - what if it does the opposite?



You can be the first to comment on this story.