An open letter to Mr. Brooker

To the editor:
    Your dismay at what you “saw” at the Smith Cemetery in Bridgewater is understandable and appreciated; however, your perception and the reality of the situation are very different.
    Bridgewater has a very active, involved and caring cemetery association. This spring we decided that the snake berry bushes on the south boundary of the cemetery lot, bordering on Kingsbury’s field, needed to be removed. The farmer, as you called him, graciously gave us permission to remove the bushes; Dig Safe was contacted for permission to have a contractor perform the task. A local contractor volunteered his excavator and his time to remove the bushes.
    During the entire process the cemetery sexton observed the procedure. Let me assure you — no graves were disturbed. The flowers that you saw had been disposed of in the bushes rather than in the barrel left for that purpose, which was also a reason for removing the bushes.
    The plan is to clear all the rocks and debris and to smooth and roll the entire area. Unfortunately, you visited the cemetery before that part of the process was completed. Until now, the comments regarding the project have been most favorable. The community is aware of the situation. The farmer is, by no means, responsible for “plowing” the area.
    On the other hand I am appalled that an investigative reporter would not have conducted further investigation into the matter before writing such a scathing report and forwarding the letter to the agencies indicated in your letter. Truthful reporting should always be based on adequate research, not on sensationalism. A retraction on your part would be appropriate and appreciated.
Robin Barker, records clerk
Bridgewater Cemetery Association