I believe the four-fold increase in proposed fees is excessive given the fact they will be borne by the majority who comply with the Code of Virginia as it pertains to cemeteries. Meanwhile, the main culprit (Franklin Memorial Park) that led to the creation of the Cemetery Board and the current licensing and reporting requirements has managed to exempt itself from Board registration and Code requirements.

If fees are to be increased, then those cemetery companies, cemeteries, and licensed sales people who truly create the excess work for the Board should be made to pay and make up your shortfall. I should wish to see the Board dole out more than (light) slap on the wrist fines for violations of the Code (i.e. total fines of $2800 for 26 violations, plus $150 in Board costs as illustrated on pages 4-5 of the Board’s January minutes)

Additionally I find the list of alternative sources of revenue in lieu of a fee adjustment to be lacking of “real” alternatives and believe my suggestion merits discussion and consideration.

Sincerely,

Donald E. Wilson

PS Is there not a better way to alert licensees of proposed changes than by postcard? The body of my notice was smudged almost to the point of being indistinguishable and had I not taken the time to laboriously type in the Regulatory Town Hall website provided, I would have had no idea that fee increases were being considered!

Donald E. Wilson, President

Evergreen Development Co., Inc.

Owners of Evergreen Burial Park

Mountain View Memorial Park

Green Hill Mausoleum

Home office located at

1307 Summit Avenue, SW

Roanoke, VA  24015

540.342.2593