By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — Cobden Union Cemetery should not be used as a dumping ground for people’s discarded roofing.
But, that’s what’s happened.
When volunteers with the cemetery went to put in cornerstones Tuesday, they found a pile of debris from a roofing job.
Peter Poff, president of the cemetery board, said volunteers were at the cemetery Saturday morning doing clean-up and returned Tuesday to place cornerstones, so they know the approximate time when the dumping occurred.
Looking at the debris, Mr. Poff said, “It’s from an old roof, it’s very unique. It’s a fibreglass corrugated roof. The new roof is red shingle.”
A nail gun was used because there is a string of nails on the pile. There are also two pallets, which are most likely what the new shingles had been sitting on, he said.
Whoever did this also had a pizza from Milanos, as there was an empty pizza box sitting on top of the pile, Mr. Poff said.
While no damage was done to any stones or the property, Mr. Poff said, “It’s very disheartening when you have a group of volunteers who work hard to keep this nice for hundreds of families, and we take great pride in that. To see this is just unbelievable.”
He said it appears a dump trailer may have been used, because the discarded roofing materials and other garbage are in a neat pile.
“If somebody paid to have contractor take this away as part of the job, they’ve paid for nothing,” Mr. Poff said. “This guy has gotten away with it.
“I can’t believe they would risk they’re livelihood, if it’s a contractor, to do this. It’s not a very nice thing.”
Mr. Poff said it will be the church’s responsibility to hire someone to clean it up and take it away, which is another expense.
The cemetery board posted photos and a write-up to social media in hopes of reaching out to the person who did this, he said.
“If you recognize the roof, or if you are the contractor, come back and do the right thing and clean it up,” Mr. Poff said.
“It’s just very disheartening, that’s all I can say.”
