'Lot of lip service'

By Lynn Papworth
Fresno

(Updated Thursday, January 2, 2003, 4:42 PM)

Since moving to Fresno four years ago, all I've heard regarding the air pollution problem is a lot of lip service and not much action. It sounds to me like the solution is the problem. What I mean is that those responsible for solving this situation -- the politicians and city, county and state agencies -- continue to fight each other. Or they are afraid they're going to step on the toes of some special interest group.

It's time we do what's necessary regardless the fallout. Our health and that of our children is the paramount concern.

Here are a few suggestions I feel would make an impact right away:

Convert all city, county and state diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles to clean-burning propane.

Retrofit all wood-burning fireplaces with a filtering system to eliminate toxins in the air, or convert them to natural gas.

Convert all of the diesel and gasoline agriculture machinery to propane. And cut down on the burn days.

I know that eliminating the pollutants in these three areas would make a tremendous impact on the quality of our air. But relying on our inept state agencies to make this happen? Don't hold your breath. Or, more appropriately, holding your breath may be the only thing that is safe.