Leaf Blowers

* Re “Muzzling the Neighborhood Pest,” by Kathryn Evans Bernstein, May 5.

My gardeners, the same for over 18 years, keep my 30,000-square-foot property neat and clean without the use of those imbecilic mind blowers that would be an insult to my intelligence if used on my property. Low-performance equipment is for low-performance minds! Like smoking, when I find a use for it, I’ll start.

WILLIAM K. SHERINYAN

Woodland Hills

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* Whereas I agree with many of [Evans Bernstein’s] points on noise pollution and the irritation that comes from dust stirred by leaf blowers, I am troubled by a couple of things, namely priorities and progress.

In the case of priorities, should Councilman Marvin Braude’s motion to ban leaf blowers within 500 feet of a residence pass, who will be charged with ticketing or arresting the offender? Most likely our already overburdened police. I think most citizens would rather see police spend their time and energy cracking down on crime. Booking a gardener for misdemeanor noise pollution pales in comparison to catching murderers and rapists or expanding efforts in community policing.

My second point concerns progress. Every Monday at roughly 7 a.m., my neighbor’s gardener arrives to cut the grass. He uses a power mower. He also uses a blower. Since I can hardly notice the difference between the sounds, I must ask myself, does Evans Bernstein also object to a power lawn mower? If so, then she left out the other side of the story. I don’t think anyone would agree to ban power lawn mowers because that would fly in the face of progress and put a great burden on gardeners who make their profit on volume. If gardeners had to use push mowers and brooms, they would have to charge more.

We live in a city where there must be give and take. We must tolerate the small things and focus our priorities on the big picture--making our communities work.

I applaud Braude’s efforts on behalf of our city and I equally appreciate Evans Bernstein’s story of a simpler life without the irritating noises of the city jungle, but we must broaden our focus if we hope to build real neighborhoods in which to raise our families.

LANCE KEENE

Winnetka

Editor’s note: The City Council on Tuesday tentatively approved a ban on the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers within 500 feet of a residence.

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* In response to “Muzzling the Neighborhood Pest,”--ridiculous!

What about the livelihood of the average gardener? If he uses the broom and rake, how many customers will he be able to handle in one day? Either he goes out of business or the customer pays dearly to make up for his losses. Lots of the customers are people like me--poor but unable to do the yards ourselves.

RACHEL DiBIANCA

Northridge

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* I want to add my support for banning leaf blowers. I agree with Evans Bernstein’s column on these outrageously annoying machines. I can’t count the number of times that I have been driven indoors (not to mention crazy!) trying to escape the noise and dust pollution generated by the gardeners in the neighborhood. Why do we allow this assault on the peace and quiet? It is simply outrageous that for the convenience of one group, so many people’s health and peace of mind are affected.

FRED J. STEPHENS

Winnetka