Letter to the Editor: Please Support the Ban of Leaf-Blowers in San Mateo

Editor's Note: The following article was submitted to Patch by John Ebneter of the organization Cool Cities of San Mateo. The views in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Patch. To submit an article or letter for publication, please e-mail the editor in the top left corner of the corresponding site.

We are writing to commend Mayor Grotte for his recent proposal to ban the use of all leaf blowers within the City of San Mateo. We are grateful for his bold stance on this important issue and pledge him our full support. 

The reasons to ban all leaf blowers are plentiful: a huge decrease in air quality due to constant churning of dust, pollen and other particulates; obnoxious noise; the spewing of toxic fumes; environmental degradation to the soil; and a detrimental health impact on the operators of the machines.

The negative factors caused by these machines far outweigh any benefits they purport to bring to society. 

We have spoken with hundreds of San Mateo residents who also passionately oppose the use of leaf blowers in our community. We have been told numerous stories of having dust blown into their windows, incidences of watching someone blow leaves and dirt from the adjoining property onto theirs, the disturbance to their daily lives by the noise and reduction of air quality, and the disturbance their young children experience when the leaf blower is being used.

It is true leaf blowers subsidize cheaper gardening services. However, the right of homeowners to save a little money each month should not come at the cost of the health of their neighbors. 

San Mateo promotes itself as an environmentally sound city with an image of being sustainably responsible. If this is in fact the case, it is time to put words into action and become an environmental leader by banning leaf blowers outright.

The entire city council, not just Mayor Grotte, needs to demonstrate that they understand the threat leaf blowers pose to the health and well-being of the community. 

If you support this position please go to Change.org, search for and sign the petition on the “Ban of Leaf Blowers in San Mateo,” and your message will be delivered directly to the mayor, city council and appropriate city officials. 

Thank you,

Cool Cities of San Mateo