Several generations of April Carmack McCourt's family are buried in the Camas Cemetery. McCourt, who was born in Camas but now lives in Oregon, recently criticized the city for allowing weeds and grass to overtake some headstones. (Kaitlin Gillespie/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
On a recent weekend visit to see her family members buried in the Camas Cemetery, April Carmack McCourt was dismayed to see weeds and dead grass threatening to overtake headstones. In some cases, they already have, she said.
McCourt, who was born in Camas but now lives in Eugene, Ore., was troubled enough by the scene to describe the historic, 100-year-old Camas cemetery as “a wasteland” in a letter to the editor to The Columbian.
“Camas is a vibrant city, but they are neglecting the Camas founders who are buried in their city cemetery,” McCourt said in a later email to The Columbian. “I can clear away our family plots, but who takes care of the others?”
As it turns out, that task lies with one man: Ed Senchyna, senior grounds maintenance worker at the Camas Cemetery.
Watching Senchyna putter around the cemetery, it’s clear he’s a man who loves his job. He eagerly shares the stories of those buried at the cemetery, from the infamous Wilson Brothers buried there after their executions in 1953, to the headstone marked only “Unnamed Greek.”
“It was frustrating,” Senchyna said of McCourt’s reaction.
He spoke to McCourt the weekend of her visit, so he was aware of her disappointment in the cemetery’s conditions.
“I’m the chief cook and bottle washer,” Senchyna said. “I could do a book on all the stuff you do out there, but I’m one person.”
To be sure, in the peak of the summer, dandelions, broadleaf weeds and yarrow are abundant in sections of the cemetery — particularly in those sections that are older and harder for Senchyna to drive a lawn mower around. The grass has also gone brown because budget cuts don’t allow the cemetery to water through the summer. The Camas City Council allocated about $20,000 less to the cemetery this year, reducing its budget from $185,340 in 2015 to $168,814 in 2016.
“We all very much recognize (the issues), and we’re having conversations with the council with regard to the budgets,” Public Works Operations Supervisor Denis Ryan said.
Three church groups work with Senchyna to maintain the cemetery, and several Eagle Scouts have volunteered in years past. He noted, however, that he’s always looking for more volunteers.
“I’m very lucky to have that,” he said.
Did you know?
• To learn more about the Camas Cemetery, visit cityofcamas.us/index.php/cemetery. To volunteer, contact Senior Grounds Worker Ed Senchyna at 360-834-4220.
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