The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) didn't believe the residents of Marshall would give a $5,000 donation to a private cemetery, but while a member of the public advocacy group watched, the Marshall City Council voted to do just that recently.
The ECW said Mayor Camie Sanders, who served on the board of the Marshall Cemetery before becoming the city's leader and whose term expires this year, was the main driving force of the donation.
The group also contends that despite council comments such as “our attorney said it was OK” and “there are veterans buried there," such a donation is illegal since taxes are collected to pay for public concerns, and the cemetery is privately owned.
The Marshall Cemetery Association is listed as a nonprofit charity by NonProfitFacts.com, although no explanation as to why it is listed that way is offered.
Three City Council members voted against the donation: Warren LeFever, Jim McKittrick and Cheryl Raisner. Those voting in favor were not named in the meeting minutes.
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