To The Editor

Response to a letter to the editor regarding the Blanco Cemetery.

This letter is to answer questions asked about our financial statement published recently for the Blanco Cemetery. The form used was our IRS Report Form that has many different items listed for the use of non-profit organizations. We of course do not have a need for all of them.

The line that said membership dues and assets is the line we use for the money from plot sales, and fees we collect to set a stone or put curbing around graves. There have not been membership dues for many, many years. So there are not membership dues included in that amount.

On the subject of salaries, there are no salaries per se. There is compensation for services rendered, but it has never been called a salary. This compensation was started by Board Members at least 30 years ago. The exact date I do not know. Cliff and I have just continued with the duties as they were done before us.

Cliff and I were both trained by Cora Bindseil. Cora and her husband Hilmer had this job for over 30 years before we were elected to the board. Then were elected officers when Hilmer passed away and Cora retired.

We do the best we can and have tried to improve the bookkeeping system and re-map the cemetery so we know where everyone is in case someone was not written in the alpha book or the plot book. It is a big job and not one we take lightly.

Many things have changed from the beginning of 1952. We only have meetings when there is a need to discuss something new or re-discuss old business. In the past, the board met every month at the little house in the cemetery so that the public could be present.

No one ever showed up but the board members. So they would have a brief meeting and go to lunch together. Nowadays, everyone works and our meetings have to be in the evenings. Even then it is sometimes hard to find a time that fits everyone’s life.

We are aware that a public meeting is needed and necessary. We are planning to have a public meeting in July or August. The meeting date and time will be published in the Blanco County News.

I hope publishing the financial statement will be an annual event. We are always available to answer any questions you may have.

Joyce Knoll

Blanco, TX

Sec./Treas.

Editor’s Note: This letter is in response to the drowning of a dog in the city’s sewer treatment facility.

Mr. Mayor

I have horses at the Behrends ranch (adjacent to your plant where the city sewer is processed). I take my young grandchildren as well as my dogs out there with me when I go to ride.

Please study the pictures I'm including of the dogs victimized by your derelict facility as well as of the facility itself. Do you realize the liability represented herein?

"Patching" the fence won't solve the problem, you need to fund a child and animal proof surround and it needs to truly secure the premise in its entirety (just as pools must be fenced in accordance with the law.)

The dog at the vet's is dying and its bill is already $500. The loss of the dead dog suffered by its owner is hard to put a price on. There have been numerous dogs pulled out of the sewer pools - someday it'll be a child.

You need to have the council step up and pay the vet bill as well as offer up some recompense for the dog that was murdered.

Thank you,

Christine Harbach

Blanco, TX