News

Burning opponents cite health concerns

By NATHAN BRUTTELL Argus-Press Staff Writer

Thursday, October 2, 2008 4:45 PM EDT

Editor's Note: The following is the second in a series examining the open burning issue in Owosso. Part I, “Stoking the Flame,” ran Thursday, Sept. 25. The next installment will focus on the opinions of city council members and other officials in Owosso.

OWOSSO - It's not just the smell. It's not all about the adverse affects on the environment. It's not only the obtrusive smoke.

Some opponents to the burning ordinance in the city of Owosso are concerned about their health and possibly their lives.

Lisa Stechschulte has gone back and forth from the University of Michigan Hospital and Owosso for treatment for respiratory health issues. Numerous doctors tell her the smoke that fills the air during the city's open burning on Tuesdays and Thursdays is a large part of the reason she has trouble breathing.

Shelva Cebulski's family members have asthma and other breathing problems that she says have gotten worse since they have lived in Owosso.

Lorraine Weckwert has heard stories from other families and neighbors all over Owosso afraid to speak about their health problems because they don't think advocates for burning will listen.

“Some people are worried about their freedoms and rights being taken away (if they were not allowed to burn),” Weckwert said. “This is a right for us to be able to breathe.”

These women - along with Shelah Hockman - started the group Citizens for Clean Air to try to get the burning ordinance overturned in Owosso.

They're not alone.

Sixth-grader Amanda Graham wrote a letter to the editor to The Argus-Press.

“Now that it is nice weather, we like to open the windows,” she said in the letter. “But now we can't on Tuesdays and Thursdays because people burn garbage on those days.”

The City Council stated in previous meetings the issue could go to the ballot or get overturned by the council if a large group initiated a petition against the ordinance.

So why has no one brought out a petition?

“Many people are afraid to sign it,” Weckwert said. “We have had people threaten us to stop talking.”

Weckwert said she speaks with a business owner in Owosso about the issue regularly.

“She is afraid to get involved because of how it will affect her business,” Weckwert said.

Stechschulte said if circulating a petition would solve the problem quickly enough, she might try that possibility.

“My lungs cannot wait until May for it to be solved,” she said.

The group also said the issue shouldn't have to go to voters - the health issues should be enough.

The Michigan Air Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality released information about the negative effects of burning.

“Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard,” a recent press release read. “The air pollution created by open burning can irritate eyes and lungs, obscure visibility, soil nearby surfaces, create annoying odors or pose other nuisance or health threats.”

Laura DeGuire of the DEQ said the issue comes down to rights and freedoms.

“You have to look at the perceived right to burn versus the health and welfare of the community,” she said. “If people are going to a doctor on a regular basis, you have to look at your own actions.”

Stechschulte doesn't mind presenting information she received from her doctors.

Kenneth Rosenman, a doctor and professor of medicine from Michigan State University, wrote to Stechschulte.

“Given the anticipated adverse health effects, both immediate and long-term, on such burning on the citizens of Owosso, I medically would not recommend the practice to be allowed,” Rosenman said in the letter.

Stechschulte's doctor at the University of Michigan, Steven Gay, also detailed her plight.

“Ms. Stechschulte is a patient currently under my care with very severe and profound chronic pulmonary and respiratory diseases,” he said. “It is my recommendation that outdoor burning is not allowed to continue unless it is controlled appropriately by the city in order that patients with respiratory diseases do not have similar exposures...”

Some people argue clean burning should be allowed.

“There is no such thing as a clean burn,” Weckwert said.

What about burning of leaves, tree trimmings or paper?

“Leaf burning creates air pollution, contributes to breathing problems, is a serious fire hazard and is illegal in many Michigan cities and communities,” a press release from the DEQ reads. “Burning leaves releases fine particles, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons into the air that are particularly harmful to children and people with allergies, asthma or heart disease.”

Stechschulte said even after presenting so many findings to the city council, she felt her voice is falling on deaf ears. So, she called up the governor's office.

“They said I should sue the city for gross negligence,” Stechschulte said. “So, I've sought legal counsel.”

To contact Citizens for Clean Air call Shelah Hockman at (989) 627-0735 between 9 a.m. and noon Monday-Wednesday.

- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com.

Comment on this Story

A voter wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:38 PM:

" In a recent past there was a ballet brought to the residence of Owosso on the burning ordinance that was past in favor of the ordinace. I think that the people have spoken on this matter and want the ordinace to stand. If people are so against the city wide ordinace then they should just move out of the city. Also if people like Stechschulte has sought legal counsel on the matter then what are they going to do - sue every voter that voted to have this ordinance? I think that this matter has been delt with and should be left alone. The Vote cast so deal with it. "

me still up north looking down wrote on Oct 2, 2008 6:47 PM:

" why not collect and compost all the leaves? "