Some object to moving graves to make way for new Poplar Bluff hospital

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Relatives of people buried in Shadle/Cedar Valley Cemetery strongly object to moving the graves so Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center can build a new hospital.

"Although we may not know where many of them rest, that still does not diminish the dignity of their burial and the right of their remains to be left where they are," said Sharon Gingery, whose great-great-grandparents are among her relatives buried there. "This one-acre family/church cemetery is sacred earth and should remain that way."

She explained the majority of the graves are marked only with a large stone, rusted metal marker or no marker at all. Some are marked with stones and others can only be seen by the depressions in the ground.

"We do not oppose the building of a new, much needed state-of-the-art hospital. Our opposition is to the new site plan," Gingery said. "Because of the contour of the land, the rezoning of anything other than residential could endanger the cemetery."

Gingery and another relative, Charlie Smith, expressed their opposition during a public hearing on the proposed annexation of 105 acres prior to the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting Monday night.

"The cemetery has been neglected, but it was not abandoned," said Smith, who presented the council with a list of 54 confirmed burials in the cemetery. These include 15 with marked headstones, two known sites, 27 from Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home records through 1938 and 10 from obituaries or cemetery history books.

Relatives plan to search burial records at Cotrell Funeral Service and more Fitch-Hillis records to determine the number of additional burials. Records so far indicate burials took place from 1899 through 1965.

Mayor Ed DeGaris said several council members "have talked about going out to look at the cemetery."

The Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission will vote at 7 p.m. Monday on a proposed O-1 zoning designation for the 105 acres that are in the process of being annexed into the city.

This acreage is on the south side of Route PP between the U.S. 67 bypass and Shelby Road. The property owners, who requested the annexation, are Donald Bedell, Steven D. Boyers and Thomas and Sally Dodd. They are being represented by Mark Richardson, who indicated the property owners have signed options with Health Management Associates of Naples, Fla. -- the owner of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Tim Funke, a resident of Woodland Hills Subdivision on the east side of the proposed hospital site, said he and the other Woodland Hills residents are concerned about "storm-water runoff, helicopter noise and increased traffic."

"We have asked for a 300-foot buffer zone with a screening fence," said Funke, whose house is the closest to the hospital site.

Councilman Tracy Edington said the city has "stringent storm-water" regulations.

"We are trying to weigh everything," councilwoman Susan McVey said. "There will be more protection for you if the 105 acres are annexed into the city."

The Poplar Bluff City Council will discuss the recommended zoning designation for the 105 acres during a workshop session at 7 p.m. May 2 at Jefferson City, Mo.

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's application for a certificate of need to construct a 250-bed, $170 million hospital will be considered by the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee during a public hearing at 9 a.m. May 9.

Bagby said the petition for annexation with the recommended zoning classification will be voted on during the May 16 council meeting.

Pertinent address:

Route PP, Poplar Bluff, MO