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Inter-township trustee says attorney-general inspectors found dire cemetery conditions; fines and court action expected
Summary
At the public comment period Rick Haynes, an inter-township trustee, said two attorney-general office officials inspected a county cemetery, described it as the worst condition they had seen for an owned cemetery, and indicated state-level enforcement and fines are forthcoming; Haynes has filed a court claim.
During public comment at Wednesday's council meeting, Rick Haynes (inter-township trustee) updated commissioners about a multi-year complaint over a county cemetery and reported that officials from the state attorney-general's office had inspected the site.
Haynes said two AG office representatives—a field inspector and a deputy attorney general—spent roughly an hour and 45 minutes inspecting the cemetery and told him they were "very frustrated, very upset at the conditions," adding that the inspection team described it as "the worst cemetery condition of a cemetery that was owned by somebody." He said the AG office will submit findings to its board and pursue fines because the cemetery has been out of compliance for multiple years.
Haynes also told the council he filed a court claim on Sept. 23; attorneys had an initial conference on the matter in superior court scheduled for the 28th of the month. He said he will continue to pursue enforcement and thanked residents who had reached out supporting the effort.
Why it matters: The attorney-general inspection indicates state-level interest and potential enforcement actions, which could include fines or administrative steps if owners do not remedy violations. County officials may be asked to clarify jurisdiction, ownership, or enforcement pathways depending on the AG's findings.
Next steps: Haynes will continue legal action and follow up with county staff as needed; the council did not take an immediate action during the meeting but acknowledged the update.
