BLOWER ISSUE REACHES CAPITOL; BILL SEEKS TO VOID L.A. BAN.Byline: Jon Matthews Scripps-McClatchy Western Service The long-running controversy over the noise-versus-utility of leaf blowers A leaf blower is gardening tool that propels air out of a nozzle to move yard debris such as leaves. Leaf blowers are usually powered by two-stroke engine or an electric motor, but four-stroke engines were recently introduced to partially address air pollution concerns. is now sweeping into the Capitol, where a bill before the state Senate would prevent Sacramento and other California cities from banning or independently regulating the machines. Critics of leaf blowers, who say the machines are far too loud and pollute pol·lute v. 1. To make unfit for or harmful to living things, especially by the addition of waste matter; contaminate. 2. To make less suitable for an activity, especially by the introduction of unwanted factors. the air, are banding together to fight the measure. ``Depriving citizens of local control over whether to trade away their peace, quiet and clean air for the efficiency of one industry and the unnecessary cleanliness Cleanliness See also Orderliness. Cleverness (See CUNNING.) Berchta unkempt herself, demands cleanliness from others, especially children. [Ger. Folklore: Leach, 137] cat continually “washes” itself. of spotless spot·less adj. 1. Perfectly clean. See Synonyms at clean. 2. Free from blemish; impeccable. spot  less·ly adv. lawns and parking lots is extremely unfair,'' said Julie Kelts, who as an organizer of Citizens for a Quieter Sacramento would like to see the city ban leaf blowers. But supporters of the bill say it would promote the use of newer, quieter machines while also allowing tens of thousands of gardeners to continue to earn a decent living, a livelihood many of them say can't come from just a broom and rake. ``We have never denied that leaf blowers contribute to noise problems. But we feel the correct way to handle this is to pressure the industry to come up with acceptable technology and, in the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , gardeners should be given amnesty to continue to work,'' said Adrian Alvarez of the Association of Latin-American Gardeners of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . As introduced, the measure, authored by Sen. Richard Polanco Richard G. Polanco, is a former California State Senate Majority leader and member of the California State Assembly. He is known for his significant efforts in increasing Latino representation in the California Legislature. , D-Los Angeles, applies only to gasoline-powered leaf blowers but may be amended to include electric models, as well. While it would also apply statewide, the bill was introduced in an attempt to overturn Los Angeles' ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Although legislative schedules frequently change, the legislation is now scheduled to be heard April 13 before the Senate Business and Professions Committee, which Polanco chairs. Backed by many gardeners, professional landscapers and the California Chamber of Commerce, the bill would permit gasoline-powered leaf blowers until 2000, after which commercial gardeners could use them only if they meet a maximum noise standard of 65 decibels at 50 feet away. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion