ADEQ accuses Tontitown mayor of burning materials during air quality test
TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality filed a complaint against the Tontitown mayor after reports of trash being burned in her yard during an air quality test in February.
The complaint, dated Feb. 6, said smoke was coming from Mayor Angela Russell’s residence at around 8 a.m., the second day of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s (ADEE) five-day air test.
Inspectors with the Office of Air Quality went to Russell’s residence near the Eco-Vista Waste Management Landfill on Arbor Acres Avenue. The inspectors spoke with Russell’s housekeeper who told them that Russell’s husband conducted the burning.
032252-72-00000-Russell-Open-Burning-Letter-2-6-2024-1_1709841681Download
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She said he burned interior wood house trim, “vegetative waste” and a dog food bag.
ADEQ says in the complaint the burning of the dog food bag and wood trim is a violation of Rule 18.602 which says:
“No person shall cause or permit the open burning of refuse, garbage, trade waste, or other waste material, or shall conduct a salvage operation by open burning.”
The operations manager at the landfill told inspectors he saw black smoke and flames coming from the residence and thought the house was on fire. He also said that Russell’s husband was in the backyard at the time of the burning.
032252-72-00000-Robert-and-Angela-Russell-Complaint-Report-2-6-2024-1_1709841679Download
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In a letter to the mayor dated Feb. 16, ADEQ said: “to consider alternatives for the disposal of waste for the prevention of fire hazards, the protection of air quality in your community as well as consideration for those who live in the immediate surroundings.”
The letter goes on to say further incidents of open burning could result in up to a $10,000 fine per incident.
When asked if the mayor was notified that air quality testing would be happening that day, ADEQ said, “No one was notified that testing would begin to ensure all daily activities would resume as normal in the area.”
Russell says she and her husband did not know about the air testing, but when they did find out about it, he did not burn the other days that he had scheduled.
“We have been fighting for this air quality testing for over two years. I would never do anything to disrupt that because I want to know what I’m breathing and what my citizens are breathing,” she said. “And I would never try to change anything or disrupt any test of any kind.”
The couple received permission from the local fire department to burn items for three days.
Russell says her husband was not burning interior wood house trim or a dog food bag.
“What they thought was wood trim, I’m assuming, was the cornstalks,” she said.
The dog food bag was being used to carry the leaves, rubbish, and debris over to the burn pile, according to Russell.
Open burning is allowed in Tontitown according to Code 93.02 which states:
“Outdoor and open burning may be allowed upon the approval of the Fire Department.”
Russell hopes that other testing will be done.
Some Tontitown residents believe she shouldn’t have received a violation.
“People burn that kind of waste all the time. And I believe she was targeted,” said Dennis Boyer, Tontitown resident.
Boyer says this situation is unsettling.
“Now that the pollution in the air has been proven and there have been hearings and things are heating up, it’s clear that the government is coming after our mayor, who is heroically leading the charge to get this mess straightened out,” Boyer said.
Jami Morgan, who also lives in Tontitown, says she is not surprised that this happened to the mayor.
“I’m super, super thankful for the mayor and for her actions and her taking this issue seriously and getting the city in a position where they can help the citizens more,” Morgan said. “And it’s really frustrating to hear that the state is sort of going, you know, taking this as a personal vendetta sort of situation.”
She says now that some state officials are listening to the citizens, “it seems like this is sort of their deflection and retaliation to shift the narrative and the focus off of the landfill.”
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