--Gov. Robert Bentley Thursday sent a letter to the trustee in the Chapter 7bankruptcy of a Jefferson County cemetery, urging that people who havepurchased plots be allowed to bury and visit their loved ones.
The governor also urged Rocco J. Leo, the trustee, to ask the court toallow his office to help raise money to repair fences and gates at GeorgeWashington Carver Memorial Gardens cemetery on Minor Parkway.
"This is an issue of serious concern to those persons whose loved onesare buried or own burial plots at the Cemetery," Bentley said in the letter.
Bentley's letter comes after he met with pastors, citizens and lawmakersfrom Jefferson County, including state Reps. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham,and Rod Scott, D-Fairfield, Nov. 1.
"The letter reflects Governor Bentley's commitment to helping in any waypossible," Bentley spokesman Jeremy King said.
Bentley is seeking to raise money for maintenance of the fencing andgates in order to keep grave markers from being stolen, the letter says. Thisfundraising effort is separate from that of Givan, Scott, pastors and theNAACP, in which they hope to raise money for continued maintenance of thecemetery as the bankruptcy continues, Givan said.
That fund will be set up through the NAACP and will pay for the grass tobe cut and cleared and other maintenance.
A hearing of creditors in the bankruptcy 10 a.m. Friday at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building indowntown Birmingham.