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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 18, 2007 Shady Cove debates open-air burning ban Public hearing set for City Council's March 1 meeting By Bill Miller for the Mail Tribune SHADY COVE — Things began quickly heating up Thursday when the City Council resumed discussion of a proposed ban on open-air burning within the city limits. It was a rare standing-room crowd of at least 60 people who squeezed into the afternoon study session at City Hall, waiting patiently for the chance to speak. The proposal has been a hot topic since Councilman Gary Hughes first brought it and two other related proposals to the attention of the council last month. He also is seeking a ban on fireworks and has agreed to a resolution in support of an ordinance passed last week by the Jackson County commissioners that would require all non-certified wood burning stoves to be replaced with a certified stove whenever a property is sold. "Most cities near us don't allow open burning," said Hughes. "I think Shady Cove is progressing to a point where we have to seriously consider something like this." Hughes said he considers all three issues related because they all involve the potential for "fire in a town that's sitting right in the middle of a forest." He also said they pollute the air. Advertisement Councilman Bill Kyle asked Police Chief Rick Mendenhall whether his department of only three officers and a part-time chief would be able to enforce a burning ordinance if it were passed. Mendenhall said because the ordinance would have no time restraints, the department could act right away and should have no problem with enforcement. He said that unlike other situations, such as abandoned cars, once the open burning citation was written, a violator would not have any extra time to correct the issue. Kyle also expressed concern over what to do with cuttings and other yard waste that people are now allowed to burn. "Last year I paid about $400 to have 40 bags of my yard waste hauled away," he said. "A lot of people don't have the money to do that and they also don't have a pickup truck." Councilwoman Lois Holland suggested that the city add a fall cleanup to the one already held in the spring. Yard waste could be brought to the fire department for disposal, she said. Hughes said Fire Chief Bob Miller already agreed to that proposal. In summing up his position, Hughes said that "we all have a right to clean air. The fact is that most people in Shady Cove don't burn. As our population grows, allowing open burning just doesn't make sense." When the meeting was opened to public questions, it quickly became apparent that there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue. Mayor Ruth Keith suggested that a discussion of the burning ban should be opened to a larger audience. "I know a lot of you here have something to say. I've seen a lot of hands," said Keith. "But I think we will table this discussion until we can hold a publicized hearing, at a time where the council can hear everyone's opinion." A public hearing was set for the council's March 1 meeting at 6:30 p.m. The council agreed to draft a resolution in support of the county's certified woodstove ordinance rather than create what it decided was an unenforceable local ordinance. The proposed ban on fireworks sales and use within the city was continued to the March 1 council meeting. Bill Miller is a freelance writer living in Shady Cove. Reach him at [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help