I am writing in response to the proposed ban on open fires within the City of Altoona.
I have had a fire pit at my home for the past six years and recently constructed a permanent structure for this purpose.
My family and friends have, over the years, enjoyed many evenings of friendship, good times and good food, cooking over our fire.
Yes, we do use our fire pit to cook. We burn clean aged wood and never use green wood or burn garbage or waste.
We live about 75 feet from the nearest home in our neighborhood, and are located 100 yards from the city line. We have never had any complaints from our neighbors when we have family gatherings with our fire pit in use.
Would the next ban be on wood burners for heat or fire places? Will they ban gas or charcoal grills?
It would be a shame for a rural community to ban or attempt to regulate a source of enjoyment for many people in our community for the complaints of a few vocal objectors.
Mark Bennett
Altoona
