Rant: The other problem at Myrtle Hill.

The local tourism office describes Myrtle Hill as "one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the nation," sitting above "the confluence of the Etowah, Oostanaula and Coosa rivers." Guests are invited to "come explore its six terraces and rich history – and visit the place where Romans rest." Indeed, some 20,000 people are buried or interred there, now including the mausoleum added a few years ago.

Once the site of a fort, Myrtle Hill again is something of a battleground, this time over efforts to move the statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest from a prime spot overlooking South Broad Street and South Rome to a location to be named later.

Just when and where -- or even if -- have yet to be decided. The city, for now,  says the decision is out of local hands, this time because of state law.  Maybe not as shown by a Decatur judge last week.

The Community Development Committee, perhaps with citizens' assistance, will study the true biography of Forrest -- racist executioner or savior of Rome -- and look at omitted black history as well.

We're talking months here, if not more.  Another solution that has been recommended is at least shifting the Forrest monument to the Civil War section of Myrtle Hill. 

But let's go a little deeper on Myrtle Hill, namely current upkeep. We're seeing two Myrtle Hills -- the well-kept sections fronting South Broad and Branham and then those in the back with a limb over a headstone, overgrown grass and weeds and other disrepair.

Area residents and those buried at Myrtle Hill deserve much better.