From left, Oakwood Cemetery Sexton Hal Heagy, Oakwood Board of Regents Secretary Ellen Hoffer, Board President Ken Locke, and Board member Max Mock. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW —  The main item on the agenda at the Oakwood Board of Regents meeting Thursday, March 3, was a decision on whether to keep the Preacher’s Stand at Oakwood or take it down.

The Preacher’s Stand, an open structure with auditorium-style seating, is located behind the cemetery office. In December, the Board voted to have the stand removed; however, due to public opposition and a request by city officials to reconsider the decision, the Board approved a motion to reconsider the issue in January. A decision was tabled at that time.

Last night, the Board voted to keep the Preacher’s Stand. 

Oakwood Sexton Hal Heagy said he cannot see the cost of repairs to the structure exceeding $4,000.

He told board members a new metal roof was put on the structure in 2015. There is a damaged gutter that needs to be repaired. Heagy will be putting a new ceiling in and replacing two doors in the back. In addition, the front step area needs to be repaired, and Heagy will likely put in new wooden seats. The repairs are mostly cosmetic, Heagy said, and everything but the gutter repair can be done by Heagy and his staff. 

Heagy also clarified that the cost for repairs will come out of the cemetery’s PERM account, which is non-taxed money. 

Ken Locke asked about the GoFundMe campaign started by local businessman and chamber member Scott Clay to raise funds for repairs.

Heagy said he has not spoken with Clay recently, but to his knowledge less than $100 was contributed.

Election of officers – president and secretary – also took place Thursday.

Locke, Warsaw Salvation Army envoy, who began serving on the Board in January, was elected as president at Thursday night’s meeting.

Arthur Brown, who has served as board president since 2018, said he does not have the time to put into the position; however, Brown will remain on the board.

Board Secretary Ellen Hoffer was also elected to serve another term in that position.

In another matter, Heagy said the new security system at the cemetery shop is working well. He is considering adding the same system to the cemetery office area. 

In other news:

• Spring cleanup began March 1.
• New flagpoles have arrived and will be placed soon in the Veteran Circle area of the cemetery. 
• The next regular meeting will be 5 p.m. April 7.