Resident expresses concern over communication regarding air quality

By Rob Vogt
A resident is concerned information on Claresholm’s air quality be presented accurately and in context, and that Claresholm not sign on to a document that will bind the town to regulations that will harm the interests of its citizens.
Rose Petek appeared as a delegation at the June 12 meeting of town council.
She said she saw an air quality reading for Claresholm online on May 16, which put Claresholm at 430, Calgary at 320, and Lethbridge at 184. An air quality index above 300 is considered severe. The posting went on to say people with respiratory distress or anything like it should seek medical advice. It also said Claresholm was the most severe in Southern Alberta.
Petek said she is not an expert, so she phoned around to see how to respond to this. Is the air quality issue from fuel trucks going by, smoke from fires, a gas release of some kind, or what?
“How do we know what we’re worrying about?” she asked, adding no one knew.
The people she contacted said all they do is collect air particle sources.
“(So) let’s throw the fear out there, but don’t give any response to people (on) how long it’s going to last,” Petek said, adding there is no mention of the wind in Southern Alberta turning over the air every 15 minutes so don’t worry about it, or anything like that.
She added there has been too much fear the past three years.
Petek then went back to Aug. 15, 2022 when the Calgary Regional Air Shed Zone provided a tool kit to council, and council took that tool kit for information.
She asked if there has been any more discussion on accepting this tool kit?
Deputy Mayor Brad Schlossberger said the town has a volunteer who sits on the board of the airshed zone. If there is anything to report, she would report back to council.
Coun. Mike Cutler said council invests a lot of hours in the process. When they take something for information, it is because council members have already read it over and there is no sense going over it all again.
He said the town is in touch regularly with the airshed zone, and have staff who put out Facebook posts using a town policy and process that makes sure information gets out to the community.
Cutler added they spend a lot of time behind the scenes looking at information, and he asked council be trusted to make decisions.
Petek asked if council made a motion accepting that report containing the tool kit, or follow up with a report or recommendations.
She asked if it is reported that air quality is severe, who lets the public know?
“What are we supposed to do about it?” she asked.
She added is there a policy since sensors are put up, are they appropriate for reporting emergencies?
Cutler said the sensors measuring air quality are a trial, following a process. Council makes the best decisions it can with the best information it has, and he doesn’t know what else to do.
Coun. Kieth Carlson said the town gathers information, but the tool kit has not been adopted. All council has done is agree to put up sensors and collect data. As far as the town taking action, there is no interest in taking action except agreeing to put up sensors. From there, any data collected can be passed on to the province or for research.
Petek then referred to an e-mail from the airshed zone explaining the purpose of the tool kit is to help municipalities develop air quality management plans and address local issues.
It is for the use of airshed zone members only.
Petek referred to sections in the tool kit suggesting the prevention of emissions, which could mean the highway going around Claresholm, and prohibiting the use of wood-burning stoves.
This are both of concern to her.
The Town of Claresholm has a membership. Petek asked who went ahead and joined the airshed zone, and does membership not mean the town has to abide by the tool kit. If so, this affects personal property.
Carlson said membership in the airshed zone is paid for, and the information from it is beneficial to see and share. Just because they offered a tool kit, doesn’t mean the town will use it. They looked at it, but have no interest in using it.
Petek asked if there was a motion to adopt it?
Abe Tinney, the town’s chief administrative officer, said council gave him no instructions to pursue the tool kit further. The purpose of supporting the airshed zone is to collect data.
“That’s really as far as it’s gone,” Tinney said.
He then asked Petek if this makes her suspicious.
She responded her concern is the misuse of data to create false narratives.
Coun. Kandice Meister said she checks the town’s air quality every day and acts accordingly. The tool kit is just a tool, and there is no reason to use it. Instead, all that is happening is information is being gathered.
Petek asked if becoming a member means the town supports the tool kit.
Carlson said it does not. It just means getting information.
He said Petek has no fear because the town has zero plans to do anything else.
At that point Schlossberger said Petek had used her allotted time as a delegation.
Petek said she was glad to receive information.
Before she left, Tinney said to Petek he would be happy to talk to her further about the matter.