From left, Arthur Brown, Ken Locke and Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW —  The Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents has a new face.

Ken Locke, Warsaw Salvation Army envoy, was sworn in as a new member at the Board’s meeting Thursday, Jan. 6.

Locke replaces Chris Plack, who served on the board during 2020 and 2021. 

Arthur Brown, who has served as board president since 2018, was also sworn in to serve another term. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer administered the oaths of office.

A vote to determine who will serve as board president and secretary of the board for the new year was delayed because board member Max Mock was not in attendance.

Brown said he does not feel he has the time to put into continuing on as president but said he wants to remain on the board.

A vote on who will serve as president is now expected next month.

In another matter, the fate of the Preacher’s Stand at the cemetery is still up in the air. The Preacher’s Stand is an open structure with auditorium-style seating located behind the cemetery office.

Despite the Board voting in December to have the stand removed, some public opposition has arisen and officials are now reviewing the matter.

Oakwood Cemetery Sexton Hal Heagy told board members last year that he either needs to put money into the structure or it needs to be taken down. A new roof was put on the building in recent years and more maintenance will be needed in the future.

At the December meeting, Heagy said the estimated cost associated with maintenance of the preacher’s stand could be $6,000, though he clarified that was a high estimate since he can do some of the work himself.

Upon hearing the $6,000 figure, Plack motioned to remove the preacher’s stand and the motion was approved.

At last night’s meeting, Heagy said Mayor Thallemer received calls regarding removal of the structure. In addition, there was a negative response regarding the decision on social media and local businessman and chamber member Scott Clay started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for repairs.

In that effort, three people have contributed $95, according to the website.

Heagy was asked to attend the Warsaw Council meeting last month where it was requested that the decision be reassessed once an actual cost estimate has been determined. Heagy said Thursday that he was not prepared to provide the estimate at that time.

A motion was passed at last night’s meeting to reconsider the matter and table it for the time being, to be addressed again at a later date, once Heagy has a firm estimate.

In other news:

• Split wood is available at no cost at the cemetery with a voucher from Combined Community Services. 
• A new security system will be installed around the outside of the shop area on the cemetery grounds.
• The next regular meeting will be 5 p.m. Feb. 3.

From left, Arthur Brown and Ken Locke were sworn in as members of the Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents by Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels