Leaf Blower Prohibition

Re “Gardeners Blast Coming Blower Ban,” June 26.

I have been following the blower battle for years and now I have good news. Let me dispel some myths:

* “Broom sweeping takes too much time.” This is unfounded. It just depends how much sweeping one wants to do and what the cost will be for his time. A little sweeping in the right places should do fine.

* “It’s too expensive to use water.” According to my DWP bill, the cost of water (including the sewer charge) is four-tenths of one cent per gallon, and the price has not changed in at least a year.

* “Yards will stay dirty.” Actually, I suspect my yard will stay a little cleaner just because my neighbor’s gardener won’t be using a blower to displace his dust onto surrounding areas. Come to think of it, my neighbor’s yard will stay cleaner too.

The new law speaks to everybody. I am glad to see responsibility applied to not only the blower operator, but to the employer and homeowner as well. This will lessen the likelihood of people trying to avoid risk by directing others to do their dirty work for them (no pun intended). This way they share the risk.

To all those blower users who feel they are being stripped of their rights: We victims have been complaining for years. Many gardeners apparently ignored requests for relief from the noise and dust, standing firm with their machines going full blast. After exhibiting a cavalier attitude for years, the garden maintenance industry will now be told they must comply or face penalties. Too bad they couldn’t self-regulate while they had the chance.

GREG GOLDEN

Van Nuys

* Every time I hear a gardener state that prices will have to go up when leaf blowers are outlawed, I remember that prices did not go down when leaf blowers were introduced.

CARY MARTIN

Van Nuys