Dawn L. Lewis
Mr. John M. Steger, Jr.
Dear Mr. Steger:
Subject: Backyard
Burning
I am writing to you to request the
Town Board's assistance in addressing 'Backyard Burning'.
Many residents in Preble still burn their trash in backyard
burn barrels. Years ago the only trash that was
being burned was paper, wood, and natural fibers.
Today, many of our neighbors are burning trash that
produces toxic compounds.
For many years, I have had to close
my windows and doors during the summer and fall months
because of the toxic smoke that comes into my home.
The majority of Preble residents has weekly trash pickup
and do not burn. There are some residents that
do not have any trash pick up and all their garbage
in burned. What happened to recycling in the Town
of Preble? My family separates paper, cans, and
soda bottles and pays a monthly fee for trash pickup.
Is there not a law that requires recycling?
I have resided in Preble for the past
25 years and suffered many years with my allergies and
the problems that I have encountered with the smoke
coming into my home. Just recently, we have enclosed
our deck with screens in the summer and windows in the
winter. I would truly like to enjoy my summer
and fall evenings and weekends on my new enclosed deck;
but because of 'back yard burning' I will be forced
to go inside my home. The burns barrels do not
burn hot... the garbage is slowly burned and there are
hours of smoldering smoke. I also cannot
turn on my bedroom air conditioner because it pulls
the smoke into the house! Where am I to go for
relief from the toxic smoke? The smoke causes
me severe nasal allergies... I will be required to administer
nasal cortisone medicine during the summer and fall
months because of the burning!
In the Monday, March 12, 2001 issue
of The Pennysaver, there was a news release put
out by our NYS Attorney General Elliot Spitizer and
in cooperation with the American Lung Association, urging
homeowners to reduce the practice of burning household
garbage and find alternative ways to dispose of garbage.
As quoted by Attorney General Spitizer, 'This age-old
practice has become increasingly harmful to public health
and the environment.'
I have enclosed a copy of the news
release and also the brochure 'Stop Backyard Burning'.
You will read that our neighbors that are still burning
are damaging our environment. The brochure also
states that burning is outlawed in communities of 20,000
residents or more…because we are a small community
we can continue to burn. I guess our air quality
does not matter because we have such a small population!
Attorney General Spitizer is trying to push through
legislation to outlaw 'backyard burning' in all areas
of New York State.
I am requesting that the Preble Town
Board address 'backyard burning' at the next Town Board
Meeting. I suggest that the Town Board take a
stand against 'Backyard Burning' and be innovative and
be the first rural community in New York State to outlaw
backyard burning.
If any further information is required
on “Backyard Burning” you can go to the
New York State web site
http://ww.oag.state.ny.us.
I look forward to attending the next
town board meeting.
Sincerely yours,
Dawn L. Lewis
Enclosures
cc: Peter Knapp, Catherine Edinger,
Anne Brennan, Betty Ann Pitman, Donald
Armstrong
Esq., Doug Staley, Jeff Griswold, Francis Casullo Esq.,
Jane Davenport
