Presbyterian Cemetery

The cemetery — situated within a tree-shaded niche off Route 17 and the Thruway — is shared between well-kept graves of the once affluent — the Pierson-Mapes industrialists and landowners — and many of the folks who labored in their foundries, iron works factories and other manufacturing that dotted the Torne Valley under the shadows of the Ramapo Mountains. As the financially stressed Gates of Praise Church has abdicated maintaining the cemetery, residents have taken to mowing the high grass and cleaning up their section of graves — many of which have faded stones. The Pierson-Mapes section fronting the road is maintained by a landscaper, where the grass and hedges are well-trimmed. The residents and the church have asked Ramapo to take over the rundown section of the cemetery. Ramapo officials say there are legal obstacles but did mow the grass a few weeks ago. "We're trying to get people to show respect for this place," said Stan Dobrinski, 71, who has worked with Bob Heddy, 81, and others to maintain the graves. "Everyone is passing the buck, between the church and the town. We're running around in circles. "We have loved ones here and frien...