Greetings

Restricting and limiting the burning of wood for heat and hot water should not be a political issue. This is a health issue that affects everyone of us, in all walks of life, regardless of political affiliations. Respiratory disease is not selective. It strikes Dems as well as GOP. Can we deal with this issue and leave politics out of it - for expediency with caution to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and our environment?

Dear Legislators: when you consider an OWB (and I hope entire wood burning bill) please remember, this issue should not be considered as political. We should not be concerned if one is a Democrat or Republican. There should be no argument here: wood smoke has been proven to be dangerous to health and climate. This is a matter of protection of welfare of our families and our planet - not which side of the aisle the votes come from.

I urge each and every one of our Legislators to consider a stringent wood burning bill that encompasses all wood burning devices, strictly limiting burning time and places air quality and good health of our citizens in the forefront.

Please do not cater to the wood market or those who wish to burn wood. If they want to expose themselves and families to harmful wood smoke emissions, so be it. But do not let them force their desire to burn wood and create noxious smoke upon those of us who only ask for the right to breathe clean air, free of wood smoke whenever we wish.

We should not be limited to specific times of the year to be able to open our windows without choking on wood smoke. Strong restrictions must be placed upon wood burners.

Put politics aside: Protect citizens and our environment. Restrict and limit wood burning before the burning season begins. Don't let us suffer through another year of illness, annoyance and loss of outdoor pleasure and rights.

Please do not pass a bill of "compromise" just to get something passed. Pass the right bill the first time. Your hard work and dedication will be applauded and remembered.

Thank you

Victoria Valentine
http://www.woodsmokefreeny.com

http://www.cleanairhudson.com

http://www.burningissues.org