BLOOMFIELD AWAITS FUNDS FOR VETERANS CEMETERY

BLOOMFIELD -- It's unusual to hear a local government official complaining about the federal government being willing to pick up the entire cost of a project, such as the development of the veterans cemetery planned for Stoddard County.

Yet, that's just what Presiding Commissioner Jerry Elder was doing, critical no less of a member of his own party -- U.S. Sen. Kit Bond -- for successfully pushing legislation that calls for the federal government to fund the entire cost of such projects, rather than be 50-50 partner with the states.

"Maybe it would have been better if he hadn't done that," said Elder earlier this week during a status briefing by a member of the Missouri Veterans Commission on the Bloomfield cemetery.

Jack Matthews of the state veterans agency said the only thing holding up the development of the local cemetery is money from the federal government.

Elder said because Missouri already has several veterans cemeteries -- and is about to open two other ones -- the Bloomfield project might be relegated to some future funding. With the feds pickup the full tab, fewer projects likely will be started in the new fiscal year.

Despite the hitch in funding, Matthews said local officials need to prepare for the start and finish of the project. "It's not too early to make plans for the ground breaking and the dedication," he said.

All plans for the development of the cemetery are in place, he said. "When we know we're in the budget, then we can go from that point," he said.

Matthews said he hopes to know within the next month if the Bloomfield project will be included in the upcoming budget. If it's not, he said the state agency will immediately resubmit its application for funding. "I feel very good that we might get picked up" in this year's budget, he said, noting that the local project is "so far ahead" of others in terms of preliminary work.

"All we need is the money to start turning dirt," he said. "At this stage of the game, there is no reason for us not to be positive about it."

Matthews and the Stoddard County Commission talked about possibly having a dedication service in conjunction with the Veterans Day celebration next month.

Tying the two events together "would be really neat," said Elder.