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Residents urge ban on backyard burning; one speaker criticizes council conduct
Summary
Two residents addressed the council during public comment: Jim McCann Jr. criticized past meeting conduct and council behavior, and Larry Rhoden urged a ban on in‑city burning, citing health effects and calls to the fire department; council agreed to revisit burning ordinances in two weeks.
At the Committee of the Whole meeting June 9, two residents used public comment to raise concerns about council behavior and neighborhood burning.
Jim McCann Jr., who identified himself as a Belvidere resident at 904 Micole Drive, recounted what he called a series of troubling episodes at recent meetings — including a vocal protest over a 17% tax increase, walkouts by two ward council members, and a council member’s remark that they did not understand a prior vote. McCann congratulated recently elected aldermen and urged them to "chart a new path," and he said he would be watching how new members govern.
“My name is Jim McCann Jr. ... I was here about three weeks ago to congratulate all of the incumbents that won reelection,” McCann said, and later criticized what he described as inappropriate remarks and behavior that should have been left "on the cutting room floor." (paraphrased)
Larry Rhoden, who said he lives at 321 East Madison Street, asked the council to ban all burning inside city limits. He told the council he has repeatedly reported illegal burns to the fire department and described smoke as containing "carcinogens and formaldehyde," expressing particular concern for elderly and medically vulnerable neighbors and saying many residents fear reporting violations because of retaliation.
Rhoden asked the council to “please think of the elderly and the kids that don't want burning of any kind,” and the mayor said staff and the fire chief would provide information on existing burning ordinances and bring the matter back in two weeks for further review.
Why it matters: Public‑comment exchanges flagged both civic expectations for council decorum and a recurring public‑health complaint that city staff said they will revisit. The fire chief and city attorney are expected to supply ordinance history and enforcement options for council consideration.
Provenance: Public comment segments (Jim McCann Jr.: SEG 015–SEG 230; Larry Rhoden: SEG 233–SEG 299).
