PGAQ #77 by Vic Steblin, Jan 14 , 2009

2570 Laurier Crescent, Prince George, BC, 250-564-1123

A letter to the editor complained that “I am starting to get really tired of all the hot air surrounding the issue of air quality in Prince George. This attention directed at grandma’s woodburning stove is ridiculous. The air in Vancouver and Port Alberni got cleaner when certain mills were closed but jobs and money were lost. We all know where the bad air is coming from so give up clean air for the sake of jobs.”

I write letters against smoke because in my opinion the health of my family and others is important. I want cleaner air but I do not want to be chased out of Prince George by those in favour of smoke. Clean air is a worthwhile goal.

In my opinion it is the attitude of those favouring smoke that must change. Grandma should not burn wood anymore in urban centres and in modern times it is her smoke that is ridiculous. The house next door is worse than a mill when it burns wood and that house does not provide any extra jobs.

The old terrible days of extended smog should not return. Mills can use the best, most expensive job producing modern technology and governments at all levels should help with the best anti-particulate techniques.

I believe that our air is worth fighting for. I need a breath more than I need a job. I also need to feel good about where I live and I need clean air to feel good. And no, I do not want to move away. Prince George is wonderful except for its air. If there were no wood burners left in Prince George we should still be vigilant.