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THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2007 THE NEW TANNER 3 By Frances Niblock Without a promised per- manent vase in a memory garden near the columbar- ium in Fairview Cemetery where she laid her mother to rest two years ago, Actons Jacki Higgins was forced to break Town rules and leave a potted geranium beside the granite structure on Mothers Day. This columbarium is a disgrace to our cemetery, I think, Higgins said on Friday. Compared with co- lumbariums in Milton and Paris, it is not a peaceful, well-cared for area. A columbarium is a multi- niche structure that holds cremated remains. Higgins said she and her father would have never considered it as a burial option for the late Jean Earle if theyd known the site work would not be done two years later. If the Town wants to sell these columbariums, they need to be beautiful so when people come to look at where they are going to put mom or dad, they dont find a weedy field with no flowers, Higgins said, adding every time they visit the cemetery, it reminds them that nothing has been done. After two years of being told by Town staff there was no money for the promised improvements, she finally wrote to the mayor asking for action, telling him that when I visit my mother at the cemetery I feel as if I have let her down miser- ably. Her ashes should be in a beautiful place. Mayor Rick Bonnette said they moved the colum- barium project ahead in the budget to meet a need, and that created shortfalls which will be taken care of this summer. Warren Harris, the Towns manager of parks and open spaces, said the plan at Fairview calls for two ad- ditional concrete pads for future columbariums. Were taking a step to create the overall garden settings of it, so then we can do the planting in the back of the columbarium, and in the circle area created by the ring road, Harris said on Friday, adding depend- ing on need, a request for a second columbarium could be included in 2008 budget talks. Harris said the landscap- ing calls for tree and shrub planting at the back of the existing columbarium and something in the centre of the new roundabout. In gardens adjacent to the columbarium pads, he said there will be permanent vases that niche purchasers can also buy for $400 so they can place fresh flowers near their loved ones rest- ing place. Acton Councillor Jon Hurst, chair of the cem- etery committee, is quite willing to take the blame for the delays in finishing the Fairview columbarium project. Part of the problem is my fault because we moved it ahead a year so we could offer the niches to Acton residents, but they cant do anything until they pour the other two cement pads, Hurst said on Monday, add- ing he understands Higgins concerns. If they were told that flower beds and landscap- ing were imminent, that was probably a mis-communica- tion from somebody, but there are going to happen by the end of the summer, Hurst said, adding hed meet with town staff this week to determine the tim- ing of the project and he would call Higgins to let her know. The Fairview Cemetery columbarium cost $35,000, approximately the same Victoria Day long week- end is approaching and families are gearing up for summer rituals, including road trips, camping, bonfires and cottage openings not to mention black-flies and mosquitoes. But precautions are need to keep this first long week- end of the season safe and enjoyable. 1.Be sure your tent has been treated with a flame retardant fabric. 2.. Do not use candles or open flame heaters inside the tent. Use only battery-oper- ated flashlights or lanterns. 3. Always check and obey any campground rules regarding campfires, restric- tions or fire bans. 4. Always put the camp- fire out before going to bed. Soak with water or cover it completely with dirt or sand. 5. Clear all vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by rocks for your campfire. Keep the site downwind from your tent. 6. Always supervise the children around the camp- fire. Never allow children to run or play around the campfire. 7. Remember that a large fire is not always the best and usually more difficult to control/extinguish. ????????? ????????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ??????????????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ??????????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????? ?????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????? ??? ????????????? ??? ????? ???? ??????????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????? Tanners Garage Now Open A cover may be charged Friday 7-11 Larry Melton Saturday 7-11 Club Tree House Sunday Afternoon Party on the patio with Ryan TANNERS PUB GRILL 40 Eastern Ave. Acton 519-853-5231 * * * * HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY H APPY BIRTHDA Y H APPY BIRTHDA Y Happy Big Birthday Kathleen! Love from your family Summer safety tips amount approved in this year s budget for two additional pads and im- provements to the site. The average price for a niche is $1,700, bringing the Town $108,800 in sales revenue this year from the columbariums in Acton and Georgetown. Acton woman unhappy with delay at Fairview cemetary FITFUL RESTING PLACE: Actons Jacki Higgins is unhappy the Town has not com- pleted landscaping and planting work around the columbarium in Fairview Cemetery where her mother was laid to rest two years ago. Frances Niblock photo