In my recollection, the CVRD hired the infamous communication manager (a.k.a. the spin doctor at $130,000/year) to inform the public on what is going on behind closed doors. Should he/she not have exposed the fact that the CVRD is trying to lump the rural communities in with the likes of Duncan with the ultimate goal of banning woodstoves? This smacks of another attempt to deceive the public, (a.k.a. AAP). Old tricks die hard.
If the CVRD wants to improve the air quality in the Valley, a good and effective place to start is by banning backyard burning of yard debris for a month each spring and fall. The recycle depots (Central Landscaping and Bings Creek) take it free of charge. The irresponsible find it much more convenient to put a match to it and pollute the air by letting wet leaves, etc. smolder for days.
Heating homes with seasoned wood is cost effective and trumps burning yard waste/garbage. Put emphasis on educating people to not burn wet/green wood in their woodstoves but don’t ban them.
Another environmental initiative to improve air quality is to severely reduce the nearly empty transit buses spewing diesel exhaust with copious quantities of harmful particulates in their wake every day.
Those folks with respiratory issues will be grateful.
Wolf Hufnagl
Cobble Hill
