Smoke signals have been blowing back and forth between Ottumwa city council members and the public. Council members asked for, and we believe, have received a barrel full of pros and cons about a citywide burning ban.

As we’ve stated before, the Courier supports a burning ban.

So do many other Ottumwans who have let us know that the odor of drifting smoke makes it hard for them to breathe.

That in itself ought to be cause enough to outlaw burning in the city.

How can we complain about our rights to do what we want to do when we want to do it, when one action, such as burning leaves, causes our neighbor to have difficulty breathing?

Are we that inconsiderate?

One councilman thinks all we need to do is talk to our neighbor and explain that his or her burning of leaves, twigs, branches, papers, who knows what, bothers us. And that should do the trick.

If that happens in his neighborhood, we’re glad for him.

It doesn’t work in many of our backyards.

The neighbor continues burning. Or, we lack the gumption to risk alienating a neighbor, or in some cases, maybe we fear them.

As to another right taken away, well, that’s what happens when people don’t respect the law or each other? We would need no laws if society could get along.

There are those who don’t like it, but the state now has a no smoking law in most public places and in private establishments such as restaurants and bars. The majority of Iowans who vote elected the state representatives and senators who passed the law.

Many are upset that such a law is now in effect.

We think that if we can have a no smoking law, we sure need a no burning law. The two seem to go hand in hand.

The burn ban is on the agenda for today’s special council meeting.