Nevertheless, in Richmond, Virginia where Loewen is vying to lease all of the profitable city-owned cemeteries, what choices will remain for the city s residents or their neighborhood funeral homes. Both will be completely buried by Loewen. The City accepted 'more' bids for the cemetery lease package during the new round of bidding that ended on August 22, 1997. It is time for an investigation that will reveal which City of Richmond officials have commercial interests in these deals, either personally or indirectly through their religious affiliations. No race, creed or denomination should be granted such obviously illegal, exclusive commercial rights to public property, especially through a back door deal with a foreign corporation.
Corruption now reigns in many once sacred places in Richmond.
Mr. Lyons noted that it was not unusual for churches to be involved in the funeral business.