Item R08
Board of County Commissioners
Agenda Item Summary
Meeting Date: August 20, ).003
Bulk Item: Yes C No Et"
Division: Board of County Commissioners
Department: George R. Neugent
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Presentation by Howard Gelbman establishing a dedicated Children's Memorial Tree
Garden in approved County Parks.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
This presentation was given the Parks and Recreation Board which was unanimously
supported.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACf I AGREEMENT CHANGES:
srAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: YES [] NO C
cosr TO COUNTY: $
~~
/'
Source of Funds:
REVENUE PRODUCING: YES C NO C AMT PER MONTH: YEAR:
APPROVAL:
RISK MANAGEMENT C
APPROVED BY: COU
DOCUMENTATION: INCLUDED m/' TO FOLLOW [] NOT REQUIRED C
DISPOsmON:
AGENDA ITEM #
/1~
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"Tbey will always be remembered"
Children's Memorial Tree Gardens Inc.
799 Hazel Street
Key Largo Florida 33037
T reeG ardens@terranova.net
305-451-3607
Of all the subjects I have addressed over the years none are, or will be, more
important than this one.
We all face the loss of loved ones at some time in our lives but no loss can
compare with the loss of a child by a parent regardless of that child's age.
A child is often thought of as a minor, but in fact we are all children while
our parents are alive.
I speak from a position I wish I never had to be in, that is the loss of two
daughters in the past five years.
When we lose a loved one we seek a memorial place to celebrate that life. It
occurred to me that here in the upper keys we have no cemeteries so our
children are buried elsewhere or they are cremated and the remains scattered
over land or sea.
Our Children regardless of their age are denied their future with their
passing. We the parents are denied our ability to witness that future.
So what I am proposing is the establishment of "Children's Memorial Tree
Gardens". Here in the upper keys and eventually in the middle and lower
keys also.
These Tree Gardens would be located in passive type "Park setting". Parents
would be able to purchase a tree to be planted and identified with a
memorial plaque to their loved one.
The parents and siblings would then have a place to visit that would have a
living memorial to their lost child. The growth of their tree would be a
symbolic representation of that future denied.
There is a long road to travel to bring this idea to completion. It will require
the support of not only government and business but most important the
parents. For further information visit our Web Page at;
Childrensmemorialtreegardensinc.org
We have formed a non-profit, non-political corporation to oversee this
project.
So if you would like to help establish "Children's Memorial Tree Gardens"
in appropriate areas. Please contact me by mail, email or phone.
Howard Gelbman
Children's Memorial Tree Gardens Inc.
799 Hazel Street
Key Largo Florida 33037
TreeGardens@terranova.net
305-451-3607
" We are never forgotten so long as we are remembered"
Marble-Terri
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Will-Rob
Thursday, July 31,200311:03 AM
Marble-Terri
Gelbman Tree Memorial project
Terri,
At the regular meeting on July 7,2003 Mr. Gelbman gave a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board on his project, Children's Memorial Tree Gardens Inc. The Board discussed the project with Mr. Gelbman
and County staff and agreed that placing trees in existing passive parks would be the best start for the project
because infrastructure would already be in place for visitors and maintenance. The Board passed a motion to
endorce the concept fo the Children's Memorial Tree Garden and to encourage the BOCC to direct staff to work
with Mr. Gelbman in order to move forward with the project. The motion passed unanimously.
Thanks so much for incorporating this into your item. If you have any further questions please feel free to call me
at 2508.
Rob
Robert Will
Comprehensive Planner
Monroe County Florida
2798 Overseas Hwy., Suite 400
Marathon, Florida 33050
Phone: (305) 289.2508
Fax: (305) 289-2536
Wi Il-Robert@monroecounty-fl.com
1
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Commissioner Neugent
RESOlUTION NO.
A RESOWTION OF THE BOARD OF COUN'N COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY. FLORIDA REQUESTING CON6RESSMAN 81U. YOUNG TO SUPPORT THE
SENATE APPROPRIATION OF ONE MIUION OOLJ..ARS TO HELP FUND THE WATER
QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FLORIDA lCEYS.
..2003
WHEREAS. the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is Americo's most visited marine sanctuary;
WHEREAS, businesses, community organizations and locolgovernments are working to improve water
quality in the Florida Kcys, which has a great effect on our environment and our economy;
WHEREAS, Congress has approved. and the President has signed into low. the Florida Keys Woter
Quality Improvements Act which authorizes matching funding for locol government to improve our badly
degraded or non-existent wastewater and stormwoter infrastructure; and
WHEREAS. without the appropriation of the $1 million this year, the federal/state/load partnership
connot move forward to clean up the waters of the Florida Keys and preserve the quality of our national
treasure. the Florida Keys National Marine sanctuary; now. therefore
8E IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA
Section 1. Hereby urges Congressman 8i11 Young, Chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee, to support the Senate appropriation in this year's Appropriation Conference Committee.
Section 2. Hereby directs the Clerk of the Court to forward a certified copy of this Resolution
to Congressman Bill Young.
PAssED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe. County, Florida, at Q
regular meeting of said Board held on the 20th day of August, 2003.
Mcrtor Spehar
Mayor Pro Tem Nelson
Commissioner McCay
Commissioner Neugent
Commissioner Rice
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L.KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD Of COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
By
Deputy Cle.rk
JI'UF~S
Mayor/Chairperson
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
~FORM:
RO T N. WOLFE
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