Letter to the Editor: Air Regulation Could Hurt Businesses

In the last year in Peters Township, there has been a big controversy over a proposed crematory.

A group of township residents has opposed this. The latest tactic they are trying to persuade council to use is the creation of an air quality control regulation. There are many rumors concerning this project.

I have been the contractor on this job, the former La-Z-Boy building on Route 19. I have benefited from my involvement with this project. However, this eyesore of a building has been transformed into a beautiful new funeral home, a marked improvement and a needed service in our community.

The proposed air quality regulation is a shotgun-style approach to cover only this business, but it will actually affect more existing companies than this targeted one.

The township recently advertised to get proposals from companies to write this ordinance; they got not one response. In this economy, that tells me the facts are already on the table. No one would write something that is false or could not stand up in court.

When I started my work on this project, I knew very little about this type of business. I have been exposed to a major amount of information. I have learned a great deal. So can others.

Council has ignored their experts, and instead of listening to rumors and second-guessing scientific information, they should sit down with people in this industry and gather the facts.

In an attempt to put another stumbling block in the path of Audia Group with this regulation, they will be hurting an untold number of township businesses. This business may well be the only one that will pass the new regulation's test.

Will this regulation keep us from using fireplaces, fire pits, etc., as it is in other parts of the country? How will auto dealerships with body shops be affected? What can of worms are we opening?

Let's gather the facts. I also remember when we used to welcome and help new neighbors into our township.

-Joe McLaughlin, Venetia