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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 13:17:50 GMT -5
There have been so many posts about this, that it is almost impossible to follow on our BoroVENT Facebook Forum (or any of the other multiple sites)What I will attempt to do is post some of the pertinent information here, so it REMAINS IN ONE SPOT!We have all been scrolling our fingers off in an attempt to keep up.I invite Everyone to ADD TO THIS as you see fit.
You can even begin your OWN Topic if you care to.This will all be here with a click of the keyboard... FOREVER! To Visit our Facebook Forum, go to: BoroVENT Facebook
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 13:33:06 GMT -5
This was posted by
Mary A Sloan Myers Weds, 3/3
There was a Commissioner meeting held today in Adams County Courthouse,
Along with my sister Vicki Sloan Anderson and aunt Wanda Sponseller,we stood up and spoke concerning Oaklawn Cemetery.
Was disappointed no one else was there to speak on the in pack this has made in all our lives .I am sure the minutes will be posted we'll have have to do a search later.
I won't go into what each of us spoke on ,that will show up in minutes but will address the remarks Commissioner Randy L.Phiel ,Marty Qually and the Solicitor made after we spoke .
Commissioner Randy L. Phiel is also affected as he has family members buried at Oaklawn ,there are also 573 Veterans buried there along with fire fighters and police officers .
They are taking this very serious a total of 5 different government organizations ,along with police investigating if any wrong doing or crimes have been committed.The first thing at the top of the list is to reinstate the burying of lot owners .
The Commissioner Randy L. Phiel has also notified Veterans Administration of the 573 vets buried there ,
his remark was they were very very upset when learning what has taken place and the condition of Oaklawn ,I am saying this is a nice way .
This is not going away or being pushed under the rug .
I am more confident.that our concerns are being addressed .
Each lot owner does have easement rights regardless of who owns the land as stated in a post I made earlier .
The Evening sun reporter was present at the court house and a Evening Sun photographer was at the cemetery taking pictures so watch the news
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 13:35:51 GMT -5
Joe Saum posted on the FB Site:
I'm becoming confused with all of the post about Oaklawn. It's hard to keep up.
There is the Borovent page, another page called help save Oaklawn and one called taking back Oaklawn.
I'm hoping someone has the time to make sure the important posts are circulated between all three so the info keeps flowing.
I've heard a rumor that a meeting time was set but I can't find it anywhere. Anyone know for sure if this is true ?
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 13:37:03 GMT -5
From our FB site:
Barbara Wineberg Muller -
Just met with a detective with Cumberland Twp Police Dept. who had been meeting this morning with Adams Co. DA and authorities from Harrisburg.
If you have any financial paperwork from Oak Lawn take it to Cumberland twp Police office for copies to be made.
They will take your name, address and phone# for future communication about this mess.
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 13:43:42 GMT -5
More FB stuff:
Michelle Miller Myers -
Done some digging on Shree Ganesh and Patel.
According to online research and business filings....they were reregistered in MD on 12-31-2015.
There are also 2 other businesses with Patel registered address....
1. Sterling Liquors registered on 2-21-2012 and the principle of that place is Shyam Investment LLC which is out of Middle River, MD.
So if I read it right Shree Ganesh Finance LLC, Sterling Liquors. Shyam Investment LLC are all from the same place.
Paul Kellett replied -
Honestly, it seems like Delaney went through the money, and borrowed from someone who did not do their homework.
Who would lend against a cemetery? Especially when many of the plots have been sold.
If this lender had taken the money intended for caskets etc, wouldn't Delaney have been the first one to point the finger at him?
Dorena Price replied -
OK here is what i got from my research on that address.....address is 3 compass road middle river md
........shree ganeesh finance owns the land......
shyam investments holds mortgage to the business......
the business was originally called compass convenience store then changed to beer pump or officially register with liquor board as sterling liquors.......
Rajesh Patel was original owner of shyam investments but now it is run by a vibha patel......
like i have said before they know how to screw people over and this is what the patel family does ......
there are several of them that work together and each part is always separate so that they never lose it all....
they only ever lose the business end when they file bankruptcy or close doors...
Paul Kellett replied -
Please focus on their "wrong doings" here at Oaklawn. Similar names does not always mean related,
right now I am working on a real estate deal Wood selling to Wood, but those Woods are not related and do not know each other.
Please stick only to the facts that we can prove.
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 13:45:45 GMT -5
Karen Shaw posted on FB page:
February 29 at 9:42am
OAKLAWN - PART 3
BY ALEX J. HAYES
Times Managing Editor
"No one will be buried at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in the near future, the new owner stated in a press release sent to the Times Saturday.
Ramesh Rao of North Wales, Pa. stated he is not obligated to fulfill any agreements Oaklawn's previous owner James Delany made, including casket and lot sales, before Rao purchased the land at a sheriff's sale on Jan. 29. Rao added that he is not legally permitted to operate the cemetery and he does not hold the appropriate license.
He stated he hoped Delaney would continue to operate the cemetery but Delany declined the offer.
Rao hopes to find a licensed operator in the near future.
Rao said Sunday he acquired the land through a sheriff's sale because Delany obtained a mortgage from someone Rao lent money to who put the cemetery up as collateral. Rao declined to identify the middle party.
When contacted on Sunday, Delany said he was not able to comment due to medical complications. He asked the Times reporter what questions he had, and when it was explained that people who pre-purchased lots or caskets want to know what will happen to those agreements, he asked the reporter to call back on Monday or Tuesday.
"I think people are using the business and the land terminology interchangeably, which is unfortunate," Rao said.
He added "this situation has a business element and a human element.
From a human element, I want to do the right thing" and said he has already worked with one local funeral home to properly bury someone.
Rao said he hopes he can find a licensed cemetery operator who is interested in operating a cemetery on his land or purchase the land from him.
He added that he has requested information on pre-purchased lots from Delany.
"I am hoping agreements will be honored somehow," Rao said."
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 13:49:23 GMT -5
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:24:57 GMT -5
From FB Forum:
Karen Shaw
3/3 at 10:37am
OAKLAWN - PART 4 -
Former owner of Oaklawn Gardens speaks out
BY ALEX J. HAYES Times Managing Editor
The former owner of Oaklawn Memorial Gardens said Tuesday the new owner was aware the land used as loan collateral was a cemetery and “several white flags” were raised before burials were halted last week; but he cannot answer what will happen to those who pre-purchased lots, caskets or vaults.
James DeLaney and his son Daryn DeLaney told the Times they were managing the land under an assumed agreement beginning when Ramesh Rao took ownership of it on Jan. 28 and ending Feb. 19. James DeLaney purchased Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in 1978. According to state records, he has not had a license to operate a cemetery since 2010.
“I told him what we would do as contractors. I was going to be responsible for the management of the cemetery, the arrangement of the funerals – everything we had done before. They own everything, they pay for everything. We don’t own anything,” James DeLaney said.
James DeLaney said he and Rao discussed the agreement informally through email and forwarded the conversation to his attorney Matthew Battersby to formalize a contract.
“I told Mr. Mirchandani (Rao’s broker) ‘we haven’t had money for five weeks. You haven’t paid for fuel, you haven’t paid for this, you haven’t done anything.’ This was a Sunday night (Feb. 21),” James Delany said. “I said ‘if we’re not paid by Tuesday, we’re out by Wednesday; by the way, you have a funeral to service on Wednesday.’ I never heard anything.”
Rao said Sunday he is not a licensed cemetery operator and is trying to find one who is willing to continue the business. He could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
The Oaklawn Cemetery story has caused lot owners and those who pre-paid for funeral services much anxiety since it came to light last week. The DeLaneys explained Tuesday that the transfer of land started with a loan in 2007.
James DeLaney borrowed $165,000, using the land as collateral, from Shree Ganesh Finance LLC and Rajesh Patel in 2007. The agreement called for DeLaney to repay the loan in monthly installments over two years, according to documents on file in the Adams County Courthouse.
DeLaney failed to fulfill the agreement and in April 7, 2010 Shree Ganesh Finance LLC filed a Confession of Judgement complaint against DeLaney, which rolled the business from bankruptcy court into the loan.
In September of 2013, Shree Ganesh Finance LLC and Patel borrowed $160,000 from Rao, with the cemetery as collateral.
In July 2015, Oaklawn Memorial Gardens went to sheriff’s sale. With DeLaney owing Shree Ganesh Finance LLC and Patel and those two owing Rao, the sale went to court. Adams County Judge John Kuhn determined in December 2015 the land belonged to Rao and that sale was finalized via sheriff in January 2016.
James DeLaney said Battersby warned all parties they would not just get a plot of land, but a cemetery with active agreements.
“Who would buy a tract of land that is a cemetery and not expect there are people to be served?” James DeLaney said. “The lot owners cannot even get a burial arranged.”
The DeLaneys said all records of pre-purchased burial lots and other items such as caskets and vaults are in the office at Oaklawn.
“Nothing has been messed with. We do not have the interest to harm these people,” Daryn DeLaney said.
When the reporter started to ask what happened to all of the money people gave James DeLaney for pre-purchased lots, caskets and vaults, he cut him off.
“Was everything delivered while I was there?” James DeLaney asked.
The question was asked again to be sure James DeLaney understood the question was about those who prepaid for services and have not yet died.
“I can’t answer, I don’t know what Mr. Rao’s going to do. It was delivered while I was there. It was going to be delivered while I was there with Mr. Rao, to my knowledge. That was the way it was structured, that’s the way it was designed in the agreement,” James DeLaney said.
When asked “what happened to their money?” James DeLaney said “You have to ask Mr. Rao, he owns the property. He owns everything.”
But those who pre-purchased items gave the money to DeLaney.
“Yes, sir,” James DeLaney said. “I really question who is supposed to be in the saddle, I don’t know.”
Daryn DeLaney added that when his father purchased the property and business in 1978, he honored all agreements made by the previous owner.
“Each owner has taken on the previous owner’s responsibilities, until now; and that’s the question we cannot answer, to make it real simple,” he said.
James DeLaney has not been a licensed cemetery operator since May 31, 2010 according to state records. When asked about working without a license for more than five years, DeLaney said he discussed the matter with the state.
“We had talked and because I was in bankruptcy I was not sure if I was in business any more so that’s where we left it,” he said.
Many lot owners have also questioned the current condition of Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, saying it is in disrepair. James DeLaney acknowledged the poor appearance, and said it began to deteriorate last year when his staff quit.
“We had two or three employees who had been with us for more than a year. When they heard the sheriff’s sale was going to occur, they thought ‘I am not going to have a job.’” Jim DeLaney said. “One person cannot do everything. It’s beyond the scope.”
When asked about huge rivets in the ground, some near and over grave markers, Delaney explained that the snow storm in January softened the land and it was difficult to see where the grave markers were with so much snow on them.
“People are asking questions with no common sense behind it,” Daryn DeLaney said.
“If your equipment is any amount of weight, you’re going to make ruts.” James DeLaney added.
Both DeLaneys said after owning the cemetery for more than three decades, they find it unfortunate that it now stands in disrepair with lot owners unable to access their plots.
“This isn’t trying to cloud the issue with a whole bunch of mumbo jumbo. This isn’t trying to cloud the issue. It’s to show you that the white flag could have been raised a long time ago but it wasn’t,” DeLaney said.
Adams County Commissioner Chairman Randy Phiel said Tuesday his office and other county offices have received numerous calls from concerned citizens during the past week.
Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett and Cumberland Township Police are investigating the matter, Phiel said, with hopes that citizens are disrupted as little as possible.
“We will be using all resources available to us and coordinate with other agencies in attempting to ensure the residents and families of our community are protected and cared for in resolving this unacceptable situation,” Phiel said.
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:26:34 GMT -5
From the Forum:
Sherry Fiscel Mumaw 3/2
Cumberland Township Police Tim Biggins stopped by the cemetery before we left there last night.
If you have deeds for lots, receipts for vaults etc. take them to their department to be copied, they are making a file.
If I remember correctly it is Sgt. Guise there who is taking care of this.
Ryan R. Mumaw if I have his name wrong please correct this for me.
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:29:26 GMT -5
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:31:14 GMT -5
From FB: Crystal Groves 3/2 A compilation of information: Oak Lawn Cemetery Debacle in Gettysburg PA Oak Lawn Cemetery is under scrutiny as a sheriff's sale, and poor state of the grounds has lead residents to believe that their loved ones won't be honored. www.GETTYSBURGWIRE.COM |
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:33:58 GMT -5
From FB: The Evening Sun3/3 at 6:58am "My parents' marker is sitting on top of someone else's grave," said Joe Saum. "I have lots of questions and no answers." Families outraged over cemetery conditions
Families worry they will not be able to bury their loved ones now that a new owner has taken over the cemetery... Evening Sun Story March 3 |
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:37:13 GMT -5
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:39:59 GMT -5
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:42:12 GMT -5
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 15:59:47 GMT -5
More from the Evening Sun Evening Sun 3/3
Oak Lawn cemetery owner looking for solutions
Lillian Reed, The Evening Sun 1:58 p.m. EST March 3, 2016
The new owner of the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery is looking to find an operator for the cemetery, according to a statement from his lawyer Thursday. Ramesh Rao purchased the Cumberland Township cemetery in an Adams County Sheriff's Sale in January, according to court documents. County officials are now trying to determine whether Rao is responsible for upkeep of the property and cemetery operations. Several families and individuals were unhappy to discover this week that the cemetery was in an unusual condition, with headstones sitting crooked next to piles of soil and numerous tire tracks visible throughout the property. At least one family ran into trouble burying a loved one last week when Rao told them through his lawyer Steven Williams that he did not have a license to perform burials. There is no state-level requirement for a license to perform burials, according to the State Real Estate Commission, which regulates cemetery companies, brokerages and salespeople. The commission only requires licensing for those who sell cemetery lots, according to the Department of State news release. "He is sensitive to the families who have loved one(s) buried at the cemetery and those who have prepaid for burial lots there," Williams said in the statement. "Mr. Rao is hopeful that he can locate someone who can operate the cemetery soon with minimal inconvenience to the families." In the meantime, Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett and the Cumberland Township Police Department are conducting a "rapidly evolving" investigation into the complaints made about the cemetery, according to a March 3 press release. Any member of the public who feels they may have been the victim of a potential crime regarding the cemetery are being asked to report that information to the police. Electronic Complaint Form
Visit the Adams County website at www.adamscounty.us or the Cumberland township website at www.cumberlandtownship.com to find an electronic complaint form. The form, titled "Oak Lawn Cemetery Reporting Form," is located under the announcements tab. An investigator will follow up on any form submitted, according to the release. |
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 16:05:29 GMT -5
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Post by Venter on Mar 3, 2016 22:01:39 GMT -5
OAK LAWN The property needs drain fields installed to allow the property to drain properly. Then any disturbed vaults and head stones need reinstalled in their proper locations. This work should proceed immediately, regardless of who ends up paying for it. All of this work should be performed by a licensed and insured company legally permitted to deal with burial sites. They should also have superb references! That's a tall order, memyselfandi111! I'm not sure that a small group of people, who have supposedly already PAID for that type of service, are looking to repair the entire grounds. Hopefully Mr. Rao will find a person who fits the bill, or contracts it out to a licensed entity. |
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Post by Venter on Mar 4, 2016 14:15:50 GMT -5
Times ArticleCommissioners asked to address Oaklawn
Posted: Thursday, March 3, 2016 9:03 am | Updated: 9:14 am, Thu Mar 3, 2016. BY VANESSA PELLECHIO Times Staff Writer A New Oxford woman kept her head down as she walked to the podium at the Adams County Commissioners' meeting Wednesday morning to share how the situation at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens has affected her. "My husband and I were married for 29 years," said Wanda Sponseller. "He's buried there. I have family members there. I'm 68 years old. I've had two heart attacks and a stroke. This needs to be settled before I die." The operations at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1380 Chambersburg Road in Cumberland Township, have been in limbo, since Ramesh Rao of North Wales, Pa. took over as owner after purchasing the land through a sheriff's sale on Jan. 29. Rao said he is not legally permitted to operate the cemetery because he does not hold the appropriate license. The Pennsylvania Department of State wrote in a news release "There is no state-level requirement for a license to perform burials. The SREC licenses the entities and individuals who sell cemetery lots to individual consumers." Rao previously said he is also not obligated to fulfill any agreements James DeLaney, former owner, made, including casket and lot sales. "I spent 49 years in this world with him and purchased the lot to be together in death," Sponseller told commissioners. "We don't know what our rights are. I want to be with my husband in death like we were in life." Sponseller said it would cost $8,000 to $10,000 to move her husband's body from the cemetery to be next to her in another plot. Sponseller's nieces Vicki Anderson of Hanover and East Berlin resident Mary Myers also shared their experiences with Commissioners Randy Phiel and Marty Qually. Commissioner Jim Martin was absent from the meeting. Anderson and Myers said they have at least 15 family members buried at Oak Lawn. Myers said their 85-year-old stepfather, who is under hospice care, wants to be buried there next to his wife. Their grandfather was a World War II veteran and is also interred there. There are 573 veterans interred at Oak Lawn, according to Adams County Veterans Affairs Director Stan Clark. DeLaney and his son Daryn DeLaney told the Times they were managing the land under an assumed agreement from Jan. 28 to Feb. 23. DeLaney purchased Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in 1978. The land transfer started with a loan in 2007. DeLaney borrowed $165,000, using the land as collateral, from Shree Ganesh Finance LLC and Rajesh Patel in 2007. DeLaney failed to fulfill the agreement and in April 7, 2010 Shree Ganesh Finance LLC filed a Confession of Judgement complaint against DeLaney, which rolled the business from bankruptcy court into the loan. In September of 2013, Shree Ganesh Finance LLC and Patel borrowed $160,000 from Rao, with the cemetery as collateral. In July 2015, Oaklawn Memorial Gardens went to sheriff's sale. With DeLaney owing Shree Ganesh Finance LLC and Patel and those two owing Rao, the sale went to court and Rao eventually prevailed. Phiel responded to the comments during the meeting saying the Adams County District Attorney's office and Cumberland Township Police Department are investigating the situation. "I personally think there are three prongs to the Oak Lawn saga," Phiel said. "The first priority is to assure that burials can occur - especially for family and loved ones. The second is to deal with the unacceptable maintenance and appearance of the cemetery." "The third will be to civilly and judicially deal with the financial matters for potentially unfilled contracts," Phiel added. "It is very important for the first matter of burials be resolved expeditiously. The board will be using all of their resources and authorities to facilitate this happening." Myers told commissioners she felt "100 percent better" knowing they are supporting residents. Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett directed individuals affected by the situation to contact the Cumberland Township Police Department at 717-334-6485,
"if people believe they have been the victim of a crime."
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Post by Venter on Mar 4, 2016 15:06:09 GMT -5
abc27.com/2016/03/03/da-police-investigating-complaints-against-gettysburg-cemetery/
Click on the link to get full story with Video.DA, police investigating complaints against Adams County cemetery
By Dawn White Published: March 3, 2016, 5:34 pm Updated: March 4, 2016, 11:55 am GETTYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Authorities have opened an investigation into complaints made against the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery. Cumberland Township Police and the Adams County district attorney’s office say they’re interviewing potential victims and gathering documents and records. Family members have complained about piles of dirt, tire tracks over grave sites, and broken markers since the cemetery was sold at a tax sale earlier this year, and some worry the plots they’ve purchased might not be honored. Norma Herring has four family members buried at the cemetery. Seeing the condition of it tugs at her heart. “It’s sinful. It’s just a travesty,” Herring said. “They’re not taking care of it. What are the families supposed to do?” Herring’s father and aunt purchased plots at the cemetery in 1959, and she’s concerned they won’t be able to get a burial there. “If this property was bought for the land and not to be operated as a cemetery, what happens to the people who are already there? What’s going to happen to them? Are we going to have to move them? If we do, what kind of expense is that going to be? Some of those people probably don’t have any family left,” Herring said. District Attorney Brian Sinnett said authorities have received more than 50 complaints. “I think it’s going to be a rather voluminous and a thorough investigation,” Sinnett said. “With the number of people who have made complaints in the courts, there are a lot of people to be interviewed, and presumably there’s a lot of records and things we need to go through. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Cumberland Township Police will get to the bottom of it and find out if there’s any criminal activity, and if there is, we’ll file appropriate charges.” An attorney for the new owner, Ramesh Rao, has said his client bought the land, not the cemetery, and cannot operate a cemetery because he’s not licensed. Steven M. Williams sent ABC27 News the following statement: “Ramesh Rao, the new owner of the real estate on which the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery previously operated, has been working diligently to find an operator for the cemetery. He is sensitive to the families who have loved one buried at the cemetery and those who have prepaid for burial lots there. Mr. Rao is hopeful that he can locate someone who can operate the cemetery soon with minimal inconveniences to the families.” Wanda Murren, a spokeswoman for the state Department of State, said the owner isn’t required to register with the State Real Estate Commission as a cemetery company unless he intends to sell cemetery lots. “No license or registration is required through or by the SREC for the new owner of the cemetery to honor any and all existing deeds of sale or other contractual rights of burial related to individual cemetery lots sold to individuals and families by the former owner of Oak Lawn, which was a registered cemetery company,” she said in the statement. “We all have loved ones who are buried in cemeteries, and you want to see that it’s being maintained in a proper way to show respect for the people who are buried here,” Sinnett said. The previous owner, James Delaney, filed for bankruptcy. Delaney told ABC27’s Dawn White he’s in bad health now and, “It’s tragic people can’t get a burial.” “If they believe somebody has defrauded them or a crime has been committed, i.e. they’ve given money to someone to perform a service and it’s not being performed, they’re refusing to perform it, that’s something we may be able to look into criminally,” Sinnett said. The district attorney’s office and police department have links on their websites for people who believe they are a victim of a crime in this case to file a report. You can fill one out by clicking here.
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Post by Venter on Mar 5, 2016 11:10:30 GMT -5
Link to Evening Sun Story 3/4Lillian Reed, The Evening Sun 4:43 p.m. EST March 4, 2016 "Families can continue to bury loved ones at the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, despite recent concerns about the cemetery's operations, Adams County officials said Friday. Cumberland Township Police Department, along with the Adams County District Attorney's Office, asked people to submit any complaints about Oak Lawns after news broke this week that families were unable to bury their loved ones at the Cumberland Township cemetery, which some said was not receiving normal upkeep. More than 75 complaints concerning Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery have been made this week to the police department, with officials expecting more in the coming week. As of Friday, the department had at least 25 people whom it had not yet contacted about the matter, Lt. Tim Guise said in an email. "As you can well imagine, that number is fluid, and I would expect it to increase significantly over the coming days," Guise said of the number of complaints. The cemetery's new owner, Ramesh Rao, is looking to find an operator for the cemetery, according to a statement from his lawyer Thursday. Rao purchased the property in an Adams County Sheriff's Sale in January, according to court documents. Several families were unhappy to discover this week that the cemetery was in an unusual condition, with headstones sitting crooked next to piles of soil and numerous tire tracks visible throughout the property. At least one family ran into trouble burying a loved one last week when Rao told them, through his lawyer Steven Williams, that he did not have a license to perform burials. There is no state-level requirement for a license to perform burials, according to the State Real Estate Commission, which regulates cemetery companies, brokerages and salespeople. The commission only requires licensing for those who sell cemetery lots, according to the Department of State news release. Lot records have been removed from the Oak Lawn business office and taken to the Cumberland Township Police Department, where they will be preserved, according to a news release from the Adams County Board of Commissioners, district attorney and police department sent on Friday. "Despite the current situation, current burial plot owners retain the right to bury deceased loved ones through their funeral director," the release states. "Funeral directors may access burial records by appointment at the Cumberland Township Police Department." Adams County solicitor John Hartzell is also reaching out to the Pennsylvania Department of State and Rao's attorney to ensure that burials will remain available, the release states. "He is sensitive to the families who have loved one(s) buried at the cemetery and those who have prepaid for burial lots there," Williams said in a statement Thursday. "Mr. Rao is hopeful that he can locate someone who can operate the cemetery soon with minimal inconvenience to the families." In the meantime, District Attorney Brian Sinnett and Cumberland Township police are conducting a "rapidly evolving" investigation into the complaints made about the cemetery, according to a March 3 press release. Any member of the public who feels they may have been the victim of a potential crime regarding the cemetery is being asked to report that information to the police. Electronic Complaint Form
Visit the Adams County website at www.adamscounty.us or the Cumberland Township website at www.cumberlandtownship.com to find an electronic complaint form. The form, titled "Oak Lawn Cemetery Reporting Form," is located under the announcements tab. An investigator will follow up on any form submitted, according to the release."
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Post by Venter on Mar 7, 2016 10:21:31 GMT -5
From the Gettysburg Times 3/7/2016 - Cumberland Police secure Oak Lawn cemetery records Posted: Monday, March 7, 2016 12:03 am | Lot records have been moved from the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens business office to the Cumberland Township Police Department. The records will be preserved there "pending resolution of administrative and possible criminal charges," said a news release issued Friday by the Adams County commissioners and district attorney and Cumberland Township Police. "Local and state organizations are continuing to work cooperatively to facilitate the best outcome" amid uncertainties stemming from the cemetery property's change of ownership via sheriff's sale, the release said. "The most pressing issue is to ensure new burials can be undertaken," the release said. "Current burial plot owners retain the right to bury deceased loved ones through their funeral director," the release said. Funeral directors can access burial records by appointment at the police department, 1370 Fairfield Road, the release said. Police can be reached at 334-6485. The county solicitor's office "is contacting the Pennsylvania Department of State and the new owner's attorneys to ensure that burials" will be possible for plot owners "in the immediate future," the release said. Complaints regarding Oak Lawn may be submitted via a form on the county's website at www.adamscounty.us. "Each and every form submitted will be reviewed by an investigator and handled as quickly as possible," the website says. "Please list the specific items you have purchased from Oak Lawn," says the form, which also asks for any "documentation, such as receipts or contracts." James DeLaney lost ownership of the land at 380 Chambersburg Road (U.S. Route 30) in January after bankruptcies and defaulted loans led to the sheriff's sale. Current owner Ramesh Rao halted burials, citing a lack of proper licensing. The Pennsylvania Department of State has since said no license is required. |
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Post by Venter on Mar 8, 2016 10:15:09 GMT -5
From our Facebook Forum:
Michelle Miller Myers
14 hrs · Dillsburg
My mom and sister had a meeting with Detective Lauer today.
He said no one including family are to be fixing or repairing any graves until the investigation is over.
You can visit and take flowers in but don't fix the cemetery up.
It will impede the investigation he said.
They will either let everyone know when they are done investigating so you can clean up, but they are looking into hiring a crew to go in and clean and fix all the graves, etc.
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Post by karens on Mar 8, 2016 17:13:27 GMT -5
Found this on line and thought a little strange.
Founded in 1978, Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens Inc. is a small cemetery developer & manager in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It has 4 full time employees and generates $700,000 in annual revenue.
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Post by karens on Mar 8, 2016 17:21:28 GMT -5
Cumberland Township Board of SupervisorsMinutes of the January 27, 2015 MeetingThe regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Underwood. Present were Supervisors: Toddes, Waybright and Ferranto; Manager Ben Thomas, Jr., Solicitor Sam Wiser, Police Chief Don Boehs, Police Lieutenant Tim Guise, Engineer Tim Knoebel and Secretary Carol Merryman. Others present were: Dale Molina, Carolyn Greaney, Barry and Jean Stone, Pete Martin, Chris Entenmann, Jim Delaney, Speros Marinos, Elizabeth Magner, Kenny Caudill and Jim Hale from The Gettysburg Times. Mr. Paddock participated by telephone for the Oak Lawn Memorial Garden’s Zoning Map Amendment decision. The meeting was recorded. Chair Underwood led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Underwood stated that, as advertised for 6:00 p.m., the Supervisors will consider an application for Zoning Map Amendment on a portion of Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens property located on Chambersburg Road and Kinsey Drive. Solicitor Wiser added that a public hearing on the application was duly held on January 12, 2015. Mr. Paddock reported that the Adams County Office of Planning and Development had several concerns; adequate water and sewer (a requirement of the zoning district being requested), the application requests that the property be split into two different zoning districts and the Supervisors should not make any changes to the Zoning until the Joint Comprehensive Plan has been completed. Mr. Ferranto pointed out that there are many uses permitted in the Institutional District that the property could be used for right now. Mr. Ferranto made a motion to take no action at this time due to the pending completion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan seconded by Mr. Toddes and carried unanimously. Mr. Paddock exited the meeting.
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