No-burn ordinance has numerous flaws

Regarding "Slow burn" in your Saturday Soapbox of Sept 22.

The proposed ordinance is flawed in its funding, enforcement and the availability of alternatives.

Presently, the planning and development department enforces it in unincorporated areas of the county. It is a tattletale ordinance, pitting neighbor against neighbor. The proposed tougher burning restrictions call upon the health department to enforce the ordinance countywide.

The proposed ordinance provides no budget for the increased cost of enforcement. In fact, drafters of the ordinance suggest local fire protection districts and police would be called on to enforce the ordinance without compensation.

I hope it is not your intent to suggest the county should place another unfunded mandate on villages, towns, fire departments and police departments.

Also, the ordinance would not have been effective during this burning cycle, but on April 1, 2008.

See the proposal at http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/

common/CountyBrd/MtgDocs/20070918ctybd/091807bd16.2a.pdf.

John Hammerand

McHenry County Board District 4

Wonder Lake