W-b's Computer Dark Age Will See Light 
Old System Of Managing Information Hurts Taxpayers, Officials Say

Anna Mattey 
January 20, 1997 
Anna Mattey, Of Mountain Street, Swoyersville, Died Monday At Her Home.

Wednesday, January 22, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Time to create a stink over the collision of two laws in Plains Township &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plains Township has an open burning ordinance that allows residents to burn
certain items on certain days. What you may not know is that the township also
has a newly-adopted ordinance designed to protect residents from nuisances
such as those created by open burningWhether you burn or not, you must know in
your heart that this practice is not in the community's best interest or
common good. It "injures and endangers the comfort, repose, health and safety
of others." These words come from our new nuisance ordinance. The ordinance
language is similar except instead of "and," it is written with "or," which
means that if only one of the criteria was met, then that would constitute a
nuisance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Also included in the nuisance ordinance are phrases such as, "offensive to
the senses, renders insecurity in life and use of property, interferes with
the comfortable enjoyment of life or property." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The nuisance ordinance, in addition, notes such conditions as "disagreeable
or obnoxious odors and stench or causes rise to emissions or generation of
odors or stenches, dense smoke, noxious fumes, soot or cinders." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 No doubt about it, open burning does constitute a nuisance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 How can our commissioners allow open burning when it fulfills practically
every criterion of a nuisance? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ask yourself a few questions: Do I want to continue to burn even though it
may be harmful to someone else? Is it the right thing to do in this day and
age? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If you feel that open burning is a nuisance and does hurt people, I urge
you to get in touch with our commissioners and ask them how they can allow
both ordinances to stand. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ask them to tell you that open burning is not harmful to anyone. I'll bet
you will have a hard time getting a response. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I sometimes ask myself why I bother, what is driving me to continue to push
this issue. Is it the stench in the air on burning days? Is it the feeling
that it is not good for people's lungs and health? Is it the people I meet who
tell me how much it affects them? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Perhaps. But I think it's because I know it just isn't right. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I only hope that our commissioners begin to look into their hearts and
consciences and do what is right concerning open burning. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coleen Apanovich &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plains &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Time To Create A Stink Over The Collision Of Two Laws In Plains Township 
Plains Township Has An Open Burning Ordinance That Allows Residents To Burn 
Certain Items On Certain Days. What You May Not Know Is That The Township Also 
Has A Newly-adopted Ordinance Designed To Protect Residents From Nuisances 
Such As Those Created By Open Burning.