EDITOR: I would like to respond to the recent letter written in
the Morgan Hill Times regarding a roadside memorial. I
’d like to begin my response by saying that I am a resident of
the area where this memorial has been established and drive the
road no less than twice a day, sometimes more frequently and often
with my young children in the car.
EDITOR:
I would like to respond to the recent letter written in the Morgan Hill Times regarding a roadside memorial. I’d like to begin my response by saying that I am a resident of the area where this memorial has been established and drive the road no less than twice a day, sometimes more frequently and often with my young children in the car.
Sadly, I was also passing the site the morning when Dustin was discovered just as Sheriff Department deputies and emergency response personnel where arriving on scene. It was very upsetting for me and my children and they still talk about that morning to this day.
Initially as a homeowner of this area I did not mind the letters, cards, flowers and flags that were placed on the side of the road. Our community understood the family’s need to express their grief and to remember their loved ones. I was however disturbed once the cross was staked into the ground as this roadside memorial began to resemble a gravesite.
With all due respect to the family, as residents of this area we have a right to travel to and from our homes without our neighborhood remembling a cemetery. It was a daily challenge for me to explain and convince my children nobody was actually buried there. Also while the family has made frequent visits to this place they did not keep the area “clean” and it wasn’t until requests were made to the appropriate authorities that the memorial was cleaned-up by the removal of wilted flowers and weathered letters that were strewn through-out the area.
My positionon this has nothing to do with spiritual beliefs or if I am or not “a believer.” I am capable of empathizing with families who feel the need to publicly grieve and memorize their loved ones but I also think there needs to be consideration of the people who reside in the neighborhoods where these things are erected and appropriate judgements needs to be excersised. At that point does it become excessive and who takes the responsibility for cleaning things up? Often it becomes the county’s job or that of local residents.
Simply stated, roadside memorials are a distraction to drivers and often deteriorate into roadside debris. The request to the Parks family to remove the memorial was not intended to add to their pain nor offend them and our community sends our sincerest condolences for their loss. If you would like to remember your son’s special place may I suggest you consider planting a tree or other flora that can be nurtured and grow in this area that will add to the beauty of the landscape and be fitting memorial to Dustin.
S. Martin, Morgan Hill
