Some people try to avoid cemeteries at night, but the Centerville City Council Monday gave Iowa Paranormal approval to conduct tests from 7 - 10 p.m. at Oakland Cemetery Saturday night, Nov. 29.
Council members Mike Zintz and Wallace "Moe" Carter voted against the motion, which passed 3-2.
Iowa Paranormal spokesperson, Steven Tracy, said four members would be in the cemetery and guaranteed his group would not bother the grave stones or leave litter behind. He said his team would be using night vision cameras and goggles, EMF detectors, voice recorders and flashlights in the pursuit of unusual activity in the area near the little church.
"We pretty much just want to kind of go in and get some practice for some of the new members," Tracy said. "We respect the property. We respect the graves. And we just kind of want to go in and see if we can capture anything that may help us try to find evidence of paranormal activity."
Tracy said members of his group went on the Haunted History Tour Oct. 25 and they noticed human shadows where there shouldn't have been any and a ball of light floating above the head of a man doing a re-enactment.
He denied his group was just thrill seeking and admitted to success in the past.
The close vote by the council to allow Iowa Paranormal permission to conduct tests in Oakland Cemetery did not sit very well with Joyce Moore, of Centerville. Moore was upset the council would give a paranormal group access to the cemetery, but would not allow her the opportunity to place decorations on her parent's graves this Christmas.
"It's the first time since 1999 my parents will not have a decoration on their grave," Moore said."Don't insult me by saying I can't decorate my parents grave or anybody else can and yet you're going to let this thing happen in the cemetery."
Kristen May, city clerk, said grave decorations are only allowed on Memorial Day. She said the city would have to change the cemetery handbook to allow decorations for other holidays.
The council took no action and tabled the cemetery issues agenda item. They asked Moore to approach the Cemetery Commission with the request.
"Ultimately, the city council has the final say," Council member Kris Koestner said about the Christmas decorations issue. "(The Cemetery Commission) can make a recommendation to us and I'm sure we'd certainly listen to it."
The council in other action Monday:
• The council voted 4-0, with Koestner abstaining, to place the repair or replacement of a 100 foot section of alley behind J & K Market on an alley repair waiting list.
Ron Creagan, street commissioner, said 100-feet needs to be completed in order for the alley to drain correctly. He said an asphalt overlay would cost the same as concrete. He estimated the cost for concrete at $6,340 and said it would last up to 50 years.
• Accepted Ron Clark's resignation from the Local Option Sales Tax Oversight committee.
• Accepted Tarry Brace's resignation from the Minimum Housing Board of Review.
• Appointed Steve Fogle to the Minimum Housing Board of Review.
The city council meeting adjourned after one hour, at 6:30 p.m.
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