Historical black cemetery annexation

Thanks to the City of Archer for annexing Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Cemetery. This historical burial ground of black citizens from the 1800s to the early 1900s is significant to the history of Archer.

This has been a very long, long journey, which started in 2004 and through five city managers who either were not competent or had a problem with annexing this black cemetery into the city.

Thanks to Archer’s current city manager John Glanzer and his assistant, John Mayberry, the annexation was accomplished.

We cannot thank Mr. Glanzer enough for completing the paperwork and presenting them to the Archer City Commission who approved the transaction.

We also thank the Commission of 2010 for waiving the fees for the annexation: Laurie Costello, Blanch Parker, Marjorie Zander, Roberta Lopez and the late Ken Green. The vote was four to one.

We would like to recognize the late Commissioner Roberta Hodges who worked with us on the annexation of the cemetery. She would have been so proud.

Also we want Archer Elementary School to be annexed. A city is not worth very much that does not have a school in its city limits. This is an invitation to get on board and campaign to get this be done.

Clyde C. Williams, President

Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Cemetery

Restoration Organization, Inc. 

Archer, Fla.