Maddie Koss

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The City of Muskego fined a 64-year-old Franklin man $500 for mowing the lawn of a cemetery, stating he violated a "Muskego park and recreation regulation on the cutting of trees and plants."

Jordan J. Wenzel Sr. was found cutting the grass of Luther Park Cemetery on June 20 around 6:30 p.m.

Wenzel Sr. told police that he heard about a dispute over weeds and tall grass growing in the cemetery on a Channel 6 news report and decided to take matters into his own hands and help out, the police report states.

The cemetery mowing removed "approximately three-fourths of the vegetation there," according to a statement from Bob Koenecke, the commander for the Sons of Union Veterans, a Civil War group dedicated to maintain the history of war veterans.

The Civil War group has campaigned for over a year to get the city of Muskego to cut the weeds and tall grass that cover the graves.

RELATED:Civil War group files a lawsuit to get Wisconsin city to mow grass around graves

“Luther Parker Cemetery is an eyesore and we can certainly sympathize with others who feel the same,” Koenecke said in his statement. He noted his group "is pursuing a legal remedy through the courts to get Muskego to clean up its cemetery.”

Wenzel was cited and fined for violating municipal statutes, the police report states.

The Journal Sentinel called the Muskego Police Department for a comment on the matter but the public information officer is out of the office until Monday.

Wenzel's court date is scheduled for August 9 in Muskego Municipal Court.



