This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The New York Times recently ran a feature story about the Wasatch Front's atrocious air quality. In it, Gov. Gary Herbert is quoted as saying: "I am very concerned about the air quality; we're doing everything we can to make sure it is improving, and in fact, it is. … Our air quality is much cleaner than it was."

Readers of The Times who are unfamiliar with the Wasatch Front might believe such nonsense, but those of us who actually live here don't. We know better, because we suck this toxic gunk into our lungs almost every day.

Herbert and the state Legislature are doing virtually nothing to address this major health problem.

Public relations is one thing, governor. Outright lying is something else. Have you no shame?

Thomas Huckin

Salt Lake City