Hello,
The toxic fumes emitted by gas-powered leaf-blowers are well-documented. They endanger human health and contribute to global warming. Electric, rechargeable leaf-blowers have been demonstrated to do a good job without creating those fumes. We have gas-powered leaf-blowers used next to our home almost every day and, of course, we drive by them in use too. Please, I urge you to follow the example of other towns and ban their use. I am in favor of a limited time incentive program funded by the city to expedite this ruling by assisting gardeners in getting electric blowers such as a buying their gas-powered ones or some type of program. Towns that banned gas-powered leaf-blowers must have enforcement systems that perhaps Menlo Park would decide to adopt.
I look forward to tonights discussion of this matter and to finding out what decision is made. Thank you.
Electric leaf-blowers are much less loud than the gas-powered ones which will be another advantage in banning the gas-powered ones. However, the dust generated remains a problem as well as the damage to soil and plants by blowing away the leaves that are a natural nourishment and mulch. I appreciate efforts made by our city and gardening programs that promote saving the leaves in place and/or composting them.
Thank you again,
Alice Newton
1023 Del Norte Ave.
Menlo Park
