Broadcaster Fall 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Saving Every Penny click here
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL MAINTENANCE SEMINAR click here
President’s Message click here
OGS Can Save More than Pennies for Your Cemetery click here
St. Michael’s Dedicates 9/11 Monument click here
Fall Conference a Great Success click here
2004 Fall Conference Thank You from Chester S. Day click here
Ode to Cemeteries click here
Government and Legal Affairs Update click here
10 Simple Ways to Make a Difference click here
Mausoleum Approval Required click here
Maple Grove Cemetery Has Special Walking Tour click here
$ave More with the Ford Fleet Program click here
Dance/Theatre/Etcetera Partners with Green-Wood for openhousenewyork click here
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Saving Every Penny
New York’s Cemeteries are:
Restricted in the products we are allowed to sell.
Restricted in the prices we are allowed to charge for our services.
Yet we are still expected to deliver the highest levels of maintenance of our grounds and service to the public. As a result, most of us are very interested in saving every penny!
Fortunately, there are two great programs available to us that can help us save more than pennies on many of the items we purchase. One is the OGS (Office of Government Services) Program also know as “state bid”. This program allows us to buy everything from toilet paper and computer supplies to tractors and mowers at the same low prices negotiated by New York State for a huge array of government and not-for-profit purchasers.
The other is the Ford Fleet Program. As a member of the New York State Association of Cemeteries, you are eligible to purchase Ford vehicles at substantial discounts through this program. For more information on these two great programs, please see the related articles on page 3 and page 15. Through regular use of these programs, the pennies you save will easily add up to thousands of dollars.
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL MAINTENANCE SEMINAR
The New York State Association of Cemeteries (NYSAC) will convene a maintenance seminar on February 28, 2005 at the Tarrytown Hilton in Tarrytown, NY for those NYSAC member cemeteries located in the five New York City boroughs and Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties. The conference will be convened in conjunction with the New York State Turfgrass Association (NYSTA) Southeast Regional Conference.
The NYSTA program will include sessions addressing the New York State turfgrass survey, regulatory and legislative developments, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issues, community Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, and OSHA and DEC inspection preparations. There will also be a one hour NYSAC sponsored roundtable discussion moderated by Gino Merendino of Merendino Cemetery Care that will focus on different grave interment practices. This will enable cemetery superintendents to exchange ideas regarding grave excavation, shoring, backfilling and compaction. Once the program, which includes three 30 minute trade show breaks and a one hour lunch, is finalized, agendas and registration information will be forwarded to those interested member cemeteries located in the southeast counties.
The cost of attendance will be $75 for both NYSTA and non-NYSTA members, with a $15 fee for on site registration. Questions or comments may be addressed to the Maintenance Seminar Committee Chairman, Kevin Boyd, at (914) 693-4700 (or via e-mail @ kboyd@ferncliffcemetery.com) or to the NYSAC and NYSTA Executive Director, Beth Seme, at (518) 783-1134 (or via e-mail @ nysac@nysac.com).
President's Message
Dear Members of NYSAC:
Hats off to Chet Day, Beth Seme and their teams for an outstanding job on the 76th Annual NYSAC Fall Conference at the Cranwell Resort in Lenox, MA. The feedback from the members has been nothing short of excellent!
Thank you cemetery and supplier members who were able to attend and support your association. I am sure you were able to gather information that will help you in the operation of your business or cemetery/crematory.
Your committees are off and running! They are busy building this year’s agenda and working with our very capable Legislative Counsel, Featherstonhaugh, et al. Together, they are not only reacting to the ever changing legislative environment, but also are creating initiatives that are in the best interest of cemeteries and lot owners across New York State.
On behalf of your NYSAC board and committees, thank you all for your confidence in us.
Here’s to a great year for NYSAC!
I remain at your service,
Joseph Dispenza
OGS Can Save More than Pennies for Your Cemetery
The Office of General Services (OGS) offers a service that all cemeteries in the state should
use. It costs nothing, and can save you lots of money. Since its inception in 1960, the OGS has been negotiating with suppliers of various goods and services to get the very lowest prices for items used by municipalities and Not-For-Profit organizations throughout the state.
Section 1509 of the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law extends eligibility to purchase from state contracts to non-profit cemetery corporations. Such corporations are permitted to purchase from all commodity contracts and most service contracts established by the Office of General Services.
If you browse their website (www.ogs.state.ny.us) you can learn more about them and find how your cemetery can benefit by signing up. If you take some time to look through all the things that are available, you may find that you can save your cemetery considerable amounts of money. Almost anything that you can think of is available- tractors, mowers, computers, printers, software, fertilizer, snow blowers and gasoline.
Al Vittum from White Haven Memorial Park in Rochester says “White Haven has been using the OGS program for years. This year we saved several thousand dollars when we bought a new tractor and a 72” out-front mower.” He continued by saying “We were looking for a color laser printer for our office. I checked the internet and found the lowest price at several web sites, and then went to OGS. Their price was more than $300 less than the best price I could find on the internet. I think that if a cemetery is not a member, they are really missing a great savings opportunity.”
If you haven’t signed up, you should NOW! All contract information is available at the OGS website (www.ogs.state.ny.us). If you are not sure if you are registered already, you should call Customer Services at 518-474-6717. By calling that number, they can confirm if you are registered and provide you with your Customer ID Number. If you are not registered, they can provide the necessary application.
So, spend a little time on the website and then apply for your number, and start to watch the savings roll in!
St. Michael’s Dedicates 9/11 Monument
St. Michael’s Cemetery on Astoria Boulevard in East Elmhurst, NY dedicated a spectacular Queens Firefighters Memorial on September 10, 2004 in a moving ceremony. Of the over 340 firefighters who fulfilled their duties on that day only to sacrifice their lives, 76 either lived or worked in Queens.
One family who lost a son wanted to erect a memorial for not only their son, but for all the brave fire fighters from Queens. They talked with Edward Horn from St. Michael’s who undertook the task of making their wishes into a reality. It took almost two years of work, public addresses and editorials throughout Queens and the City of New York, but Ed was able to secure the funds.
Two Funeral Directors, Gus Antonopoulos of Joseph Farenga & Sons and Tony Siano of Thomas Quinn & Sons participated not only by working alongside St. Michael’s, but also by donating money.
On the dedication day, 600 people attended the ceremony, including 300 family members representing the 76 Queens Firefighters who died on September 11. In addition, many local, City and national dignitaries, including Congressman Joseph Crowley who lost a cousin (Battalion Chief John Moran) in the attack, were in attendance.
Thanks to the donation by Memory Medallion, Inc. the families were able, through use of a hand held iPaq, to view a photo and read up to a 600 word biography of their firefighter. Glenn Toothman III, Gregor Meyer, Jr. and Candice Buchanan had worked for months ensuring that the photos and bios sent to Memory Medallion would be ready and installed on the monument next to the name of each of the fallen firefighters. Family members viewing the image of their firefighter were amazed and exhilarated by the experience.
Dennis Werner, St. Michael’s Superintendent, sculpted the land where the monument was to be installed into a reflective, paved pathway surrounded by greenery and flower beds. Also donating time and materials to make the project were Mullen Construction Company and Dominick DeNigris Monuments.
Other donations included invitations and a printed program by DJG Associates. Many people said that both items were definitely a keepsake forever. Tealicious, Inc. provided food and beverages for over 600 people. It was all through donations that the catered event could happen. Costco, HSBC and Citibank all offered corporate sponsorships while other local businesses lined up donating items needed to ensure the comfort of all attendees.
The actual ceremony featured the St. Michael’s choir as well as leaders from several faiths. The monument was dedicated through the haunting sounds of the FDNY Emerald Society Bagpipers which captured the intensity of the moment. Also in attendance was a multitude of elected officials as well as representatives of the Mayor of New York City, the Governor of New York and Senator Hillary Clinton.
Edward Horn said “St. Michael’s has always considered itself a resource to the City of New York and its citizens. Our purpose is not to warehouse the dead, but to celebrate the living and the memories of those who preceded us. Performing this mandate requires St. Michael’s to actively participate in the community and to offer suggestions and leadership where appropriate while donating and contributing aid when and where needed.”
St. Michael’s, which was founded in 1859, lives by its founding mandate that the “greatest tribute is not grief, but gratitude!” Horn said, “For all of us who made a wish and a vision come true, the 9/11 Queens Firefighters Memorial was another instance to prove the worth and merit of our Cemetery.”
Fall Conference a Great Success
The 76th Annual Fall Conference was held September 19-22 at the Cranwell Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts.
It was the first time NYSAC has had a conference at this resort, but it certainly won’t be the last. The facilities, surroundings, staff and beautiful scenery in the Berkshires were all first class. A special thanks goes to Chet Day who planned the program, and to Beth Seme, Jill Cyr and the rest of the staff for doing a great job in all the planning and logistics involved in running a perfect conference.
The mood was set on Sunday night with an informal steak-out barbeque. The food was great, but better still was the band “Shut Up & Dance” who played throughout the night. Many of the attendees did, in fact, shut up and dance! It was a fun beginning for the conference.
Key note speakers on Monday were Dr. Robert Schachat and Bill Straubinger who did a seminar entitled “Know Yourself, Your Employees, Your Customer and Practice the Seven Conditions of Trust Within Your Organization.” It taught everyone how to better work with each other by realizing that each person has a different behavioral style and there are successful ways to even make “opposites” work well together.
Timothy Griffin, Esq. and Joseph Ball, Esq. finished the day’s session with a discussion of the recently enacted Grave Reclamation bill that was passed. Many people left the session with a much better understanding about the bill, and what it will mean for their cemeteries.
Tuesday, Richard Fishman, Director of the Division of Cemeteries discussed many things pertaining to the cemetery industry in New York, and, as always, a lively discussion ensued.
Following his presentation, the Government and Legal Affairs group of Frank Giglio and David Fleming updated the group on all the cemetery legislation this year. Several bills have passed this year, and some are still pending.
The final session of the day was done by Gino Merendino. Gino is one of our vendors and owns Merendino Cemetery Care- a company that does various maintenance functions for cemeteries. Gino did a presentation that showed everyone in attendance many things about monument and mausoleum maintenance.
The golf outing was held during the afternoon, and the weather and course were perfect. No one admitted to their scores, but suffice it to say, the Cranwell Resort Golf Course was tough!
The final banquet was held Tuesday night, starting with an outside reception. At the dinner, Joe Dispenza was installed as our new President. His installer was also Joe’s mentor Fred Whaley.
Our next fall conference is going to be at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing on September 18-21, 2005. The Sagamore is another spectacular resort and is one of the most favorite meeting places for our Association. Make sure to mark the dates on your calendar now for the 77th Fall Conference.
2004 Fall Conference Thank You from Chester S. Day
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the Annual Meeting and Fall Conference
at The Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club in Lenox, Massachusetts. More than 130 members, spouses and suppliers attended, making this one of our largest conferences.
The weather, accommodations, services, conference center, meal selections and entertainment were outstanding. The program gave us an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and others, as well as broadening our education in Cemetery law, Cemetery regulations, Cemetery issues and Cemetery maintenance.
Congratulations to the newly elected officers and directors. We appreciate the work you do and representation you give us throughout the state.
Our educational, public affairs seminars and conferences are beneficial to every member of our association. So don’t forget to mark your calendar to attend the Government & Legal Affairs Seminar in Albany, New York on May 2 & 3, 2005 and the Annual Meeting & Fall Conference at the Sagamore Resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York on September 18 - 21, 2005.
Again, thank you for attending. You make our meetings and conferences a success. With so much going on in our industry, it is very important that we all work together, share our ideas, and continue to be a strong association.
Chester S. Day
Ode to Cemeteries
At the opening steak bake at the fall conference, the attendees were treated to this great poem which
was performed by Valerie Geasor (with backup help from Donna Huggins). Many people in the
audience asked for a copy, so we decided to run it in this issue of the Broadcaster. Valerie has a great talent and may have worked herself into a new job! Enjoy her poem/song!
Ode to Cemeteries
(To the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies)
Once upon a time, not that long ago
a friend died, a person I did know.
Feeling sad, with much pain and misery
I had to go to the local cemetery
Graveyard that is - resting place - final stop
Before going there, there was so much to do
‘cause for me planning this, was something new
I didn’t know a plot could have a deed
& I certainly never heard of the term “Pre-need”.
So trying to do… something that was good
I attempted to do the things that I should.
Thought I was smart planning a wake,
or did my friend say she wanted to cremate?
Burn that is...to a crisp...no pacemakers
Whew
Come to find out that wasn’t the case,
so off to a funeral home I did race.
Greeted with a smile & a flower basket
I was led to a room to pick out a casket
I picked one so nice & felt kind of proud
& then the Director said very, very loud..
How could you pick one made of pine?
Your friend would like oak, now that would be fine.
But I told him I didn’t think I could pay
So he offered me terms, 0% layaway
Feeling some remorse I agreed on the deal
I’ll worry next week where to get my next meal
I felt cornered and felt quite alone
Then he pulled out a book to pick a gravestone
My face turned red as I swallowed very hard
& he convinced me it would look great in the graveyard.
Granite that is, finely etched, the best money can buy
So I bought it of course and got in my car
drove to the cemetery, which wasn’t very far
I met a nice man to help me with a plot
And all of a sudden…my stomach got a knot
I walked outside by a serene reflecting pool
And felt a breeze thru my hair….so nice & cool.
You see he said “a cemetery is a place of peace..
But just overlook all the Canadian Geese!”.
Endangered species…..my foot…I don’t think so.
So we sat down to speak & oh what a groan
When I told him I just came from the funeral home.
His face turned red and I saw some bulging veins
& he spoke thru a grimace, which I found kind of strange.
I guess there have been problems, something in the past
& I suppose these feuds can last and last.
I told him how much they charged, guess I’m a snitch.
He picked up the phone and called a guy named Rich.
Fishman that is…Division of Cemeteries…Why can’t we sell this stuff?????
He got off the phone, not content I suppose
About time, my friend starting to decompose
He showed me a spot not the most, not the least
But said I can’t take one that’s facing East.
Asians that is…we need this for them.
Could he do that, what if I wanted that spot
Now I was getting angry, I was the one that was hot
Is this the right thing or is he pulling rank
So I tried to reach a guy named Rich & another named Frank
So I called Moylan first, I was ready to scream
They said I could find him on the local putting green.
So I figured I’d see Frank, jumped back in by car
Only to find out he left for the Karaoke Bar!
Moylan & Giglio…the dynamic duo…Power Rangers for cemeteries
No matter anymore…I’m tired and ready to go
There was one thing more the fellow wanted to show
He showed me the records of everyone buried there
& how for my friend there would always be care.
You see, cemeteries are comprised of many, many folks
They’re really all terrific people and that is not a joke
They’re serious about their job and in all that they do
And they take great pride in services to you.
So in closing my jingle, I guess it’s like a song
I hoped you enjoyed it and it wasn’t too long.
All I can say in these folks I’m a believer
& if they need insurance I hope they call Valerie from Treiber
Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
(guitar sound)
Valerie A. Geasor, The Treiber Group
(800) 234-8367, ext. 2402
Government and Legal Affairs Update
The 2004 legislative session is slowly coming to a close. The Committee along with
Featherstonhaugh, Wiley, Clyne & Cordo LLP, have been working diligently throughout the
session. A special thanks to David Fleming who constantly puts in the time and effort necessary to give our point of view to the Senate and Assembly.
LEGISLATION-
A) Modified Total Return: A.7346-B Tokasz/S.3418-A Marchi Bill has passed in both the Senate & the Assembly and has been delivered to the Governor
B) Receipts Bill:A.11618-A-Brodsky/S.6216-A-Spano no movement is expected this year; we will continue to monitor it
C) Veterans Site Committee: A.11290-A-Rules(Tocci)
D) Society Bill:A.9861-Sweeney/S.6630-Rath Passed both the Senate & the Assembly
E) Crematory legislation: A draft document is ready for review and comments. The Division & Cemetery Board have some issues they will discuss with David Fleming
REGULATION-
A) Sale of Vaults – sent back to GORR; pending
ANTI-COMBINATION UPDATE-
A) Update on Appeal: Randy Ezick, an appeals attorney, has submitted the appeal papers to the Court and also has filed a brief in reply to the Attorney General’s filing in order to contradict some of their statements. The oral arguments will be heard one November 16, 2004.
I would like to thank every cemetery for making this year’s Legal Fund drive our best ever.
Frank F. Giglio, Chairman
10 Simple Ways to Make a Difference
This is part 1 in a 10 part series on simple ways cemeteries can make a difference in protecting our
environment. Each one will contain examples of projects you can complete on your way to achieving
certification as a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. For further information on this program, contact Audubon International at 518-767-9051 or visit their Web site at www.audubonintl.org.
#1: Plant native plants
Make a conscientious effort to plant native plants in your landscape. Set a goal of maintaining at least 80% of the trees, shrubs and flowers on your property with native species. (Editor’s note: If you don’t know which species are native to New York, Audubon International can provide you with a list.) Survey your own property and nearby natural areas to determine which species will grow best in your area.
Purchase plants from locally grown sources whenever possible. These plants will tend to be best adapted to local growing conditions.
Benefits (to YOU and the environment!)
• Help conserve our regional biodiversity
• Showcase the uniqueness and beauty of your area.
• Provide food and shelter for native wildlife
• Lower your maintenance costs (native plants are better adapted to local climate and soil conditions and often require less maintenance than non-native species.)
Mausoleum Approval Required
Recently, the Division of Cemeteries has been confronted by a cemetery seeking an approval from the Cemetery Board for the construction of a mausoleum. It became evident that the cemetery had been selling crypts pre-need for sometime unknown to the State.
The Division’s position is for cemeteries who want to construct a mausoleum to please contact their Division Investigator in order to begin the application process. It must also be stated that the mausoleum construction companies cannot sign contracts that are binding without State approval. Other than small amounts of funds for drawings and plans, the cemetery shall not expend any funds for site development.
For further information, please contact your local Division Office.
Maple Grove Cemetery Has Special Walking Tour
The Maple Grove Cemetery held a “Spirits Alive” special walking tour on Saturday, October 23. The Richmond Hill Historical Society presented the unique tour in conjunction with the cemetery.
Actors were dressed in period costumes and stood near the graves of notable persons from the cemetery’s historical monumental section. The characters portrayed Millie Tunnell, a 111 year old slave who served George Washington; Don Marquis, the illustrious author; Henry L. Foster, famous travel author who traveled around the world on steamships; The Bluebird of Mulberry Bend, a bad girl who found the loving hand of God; Giuseppe Izzo who died of electric shock; plus many other historical figures that reach back over 100 years ago. There were stories of musicians, magicians, artists and local denizens that all came “alive” by the reenactment of the actors.
The event was, in part, funded by The Department of the City of New York Cultural Affairs and the continued support of the members of the community. The admission fee was only $5.00 and the tours lasted about two hours.
$ave More with the Ford Fleet Program
NYSAC is a member of the Ford Motor Company Fleet Program. As a member, Ford pledges to make your next vehicle acquisition and ownership a pleasurable experience.
Ford has a website (www.fleet.ford.com) which tells about the program.
If your cemetery is interested in enrolling in the program, go to NYSAC’s website (www.nysac.com) and move into the ‘Members Only’ section. Once in, click on the “Ford Fleet Program” and it will give you the Fleet Identification Number (FIN) and our company access code that you will need to complete the registration form.
The website shows many vehicles available in the Ford Fleet Program. You can then contact your local Ford dealer to get the actual price for the vehicle that you are looking at.
If you haven’t already signed up for access to NYSAC’s website, it’s easy. Go to our website and click on “Members Only”. Then go to the prompt that asks if you would like to set up a password. Once you have your password, you will be able to not only get the Ford Fleet sign up information, but also enter several other “Members Only” features.
Dance/Theatre/Etcetera Partners with Green-Wood for openhousenewyork
On Saturday, October 9, the Green-Wood Cemetery and the Green-Wood Historic Fund took part in the second annual openhousenewyork event, which provides free access to sites of outstanding architectural interest throughout New York City. For this event, Dance/Theatre/Etcetera, a Brooklyn-based, site-specific performance company, directed by Martha Bowers, collaborated with historic Green-Wood Cemetery and Jeff Richman, the cemetery historian, on a musical walk across its picturesque grounds and through several of its usually-closed tombs. One thousand visitors, divided into two groups, followed the music of accordions, led by Bob Goldberg, through the route. Silent performers, many of them dancers dressed in white, were human signposts who marked the route and drew attention to some of the elegant statues that dot the rural cemetery landscape.
The cemetery’s Catacombs were open, and inside them photographer Alex Heilner’s slide show featured portraits of people interred at Green-Wood in the 19th century. Actors, lit by overhead skylights, tolled bells and read the names of the Catacombs’ permanent residents. Outside, a singer delivered a haunting acappella version of the American classic, “Beautiful Dreamer.” At the Steinway Tomb, the largest tomb in the cemetery (which, by permission of the family, was open to the public for the first time), two concert pianists from the Manhattan School of Music played a Steinway grand piano, their gentle music carrying across the cemetery’s hills. A final and haunting recessional, performed in the natural amphitheater above the Receiving Tomb, featured nine accordions and the cast of dancers, who climbed the hill, then disappeared from sight. Also, award-winning photographer and writer Douglas Keister delivered a talk about his fine new book, Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography, to standing-room-only crowds in the Historic Chapel.
This project also was assisted by BAX, the Brooklyn Arts Exchange.