Residents press council on cemetery litigation and volunteer cleanups; court date set

Multiple speakers used the citizens participation portion of the Liberty City Council meeting to raise concerns about cemetery preservation, litigation over ownership of ground near a Confederate memorial and ongoing volunteer cleanup efforts.

Duane Holtz called on the council to “stop attacking these military combat veterans buried in Block 174,” saying a court date is set for February 2026 and that Judge Chamberlain affirmed the families have a voice in the matter. Holtz said litigation has continued more than four years and that the case has increased in claimed costs.

Council and staff reiterated that the matter is in litigation in Clay County and that the city does not seek to remove Confederate memorials or grave markers. Mayor Greg Knutson told listeners the litigation is ongoing and that a jury trial is scheduled; he said past court rulings found that some parties claiming ownership did not, in fact, own the property.

Council members and staff also promoted the first cemetery cleanup day of the year at Mount Memorial Cemetery and other volunteer efforts. Councilman Jeff Watt and park staff described recent cleanup work at Fairview and Duhope cemeteries and invited volunteers to the Mount Memorial event (9 a.m.–noon). The mayor and council praised volunteers and staff for removing vegetation that damaged tombstones.

Speakers asked the city to protect historic gravesites and to consider the concerns of veteran families. No council action was taken on ownership or litigation during the meeting; staff reiterated that legal proceedings are underway and that the city will respond through the courts.