Development Around Local Cemetery Angers Mourners

Imagine going to visit your loved ones in a cemetery, only to find the parking lot had been turned into a restaurant and storage units.

The land that just months ago was used by mourners to park, is now home to at least three new buildings which come right up to the Canutillo Cemetery property line.

“It’s very frustrating when you can’t even go see the people that are buried there, your loved ones that are buried there,” said Juan Rocha, who has multiple family members and loved ones buried at the site.

Gerardo Bermudez owns the the land next to the cemetery, and he’s started developing the space that used to be just dirt and gravel.

“It’s mine. I can do whatever I want with it, provided the government lets me,” said Bermudez.

“I don’t believe he has any respect for anybody that is buried there,” said Juan’s wife, Zelda Rocha.

Those who visit the cemetery say the owner has also threatened to build in front of the only hearse entrance.

But the owner says he’s willing to work with residents to keep the entrance open if residents are reasonable.

But he’s losing patience.

“I want to talk to them to tell them: Listen, if you keep giving me problems, I’ll close it,” said Bermudez.

But some residents just see his actions as hurtful to the community.

“Shame on you. Shame on you for what you’ve done to the people of Canutillo,” said Zelda Rocha.

Ultimately, the land owner says he wants to work with the people of Canutillo, but that it’s his property to use as he sees fit.

A meeting is going to be held about the issue on April 16th at 10 a.m. at the original Canutillo elementary school. For more information, contact Juan Rocha at JuanRocha3@aol.com.