U
ee
I am here this evening to ask the Council to delay any decision concerning the amending of the present ordinance banning the use of all motorized leaf blowers. Here' s why.
The advantages of having the present ban stay in place is the significant lessening of aggravating noise and propelled ground pollution into the air we all breathe. These two factors alone have greatly enhanced everyone's quality of life both physically and psychologically. The disadvantages of amending the ban to allow battery powered leaf blowers will be an undeniable increase in the level of disturbing and destructive noise combined with heightened levels of toxic pollutants blown into the air.
The so- called advantages of allowing the use of battery powered leaf blowers cannot only be a " clean" looking yard nor one of convenience nor one of economics. These so - called advantages will never outweigh the benefits of having a healthy, less polluted environment of which we must all live in together.
According to police statistics, from January 2023 to January 2024, there were 513 calls for service concerning leaf blower violations. In years prior to this compilation, I believe we could safely assume there were a couple of thousands of calls between the years 2018 and 2022 concerning leaf blower violations. These numbers alone truly reflect the widespread community support for the leaf blower ban. Obviously, residents very much value quietness and less polluted air over the low value of what leaf blowers in reality provide.
In addition, the many compelling testimonies, and zoom calls presented to the Council on February 20, 2024, emphasized undeniable facts concerning the deleterious health hazards and environmental disruptions emanating from the use of all leaf blowers.
I offer to the Council an alternative to the proposed use of battery powered leaf blowers. This alternative is the use of battery powered leaf vacuums. The many models available can fulfill a wide variety of tasks, ranging from residential use to models capable of handling the needs of our Public Works Department.
It is not often an easy or desirable task to bring together people with wide ranging viewpoints. However, there is no denying that the use of any of type of leaf blower creates an excessive amount of pollution which adversely affects the health and well- being of all living beings.
Let' s ponder this, the coarse workings of politics is best polished smooth by the fine art of compromise.
The alternative of the use of battery powered leaf vacuums is a compromise that could satisfy everyone without having to make any amendments to the current leaf blower ban.
Douglas Sieker District 5 Re: Leaf Blower Ban 05 March 2024