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Longing for silence
Group of Naples residents push to ban use of leaf blowers in the city, urge others to sign online petition
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Naples resident Lane Hawley Cole can’t take it anymore.
JAKOB SCHILLER / Daily News
Juan Agusto, 24, with Crawford Landscaping, blows freshly cut grass off a lawn along Rum Row in the Port Royal neighborhood of Naples on Friday. Some residents have started an online petition to ban all leaf blowers within the city limits.
The screams of leaf blowers drive her crazy. In the city, the noise seems almost constant, with crews working nearly every day of the week year-round to maintain the lush tropical landscape and the well-manicured lawns Naples is known for.
“We’re living in paradise and yet it’s still so noisy,” she said.
Even on Saturdays, she hears the screeching as early as 7 a.m.
“I get up at that time anyway,” she said. “But I think, ‘Boy can I have some peace and quiet to read the newspaper.’”
She’s not alone. Other residents are fed up and a few of them, including Eileen Arsenault and Jim Streicher, have joined her in a fight to ban the use of leaf blowers in the city.
“It’s just totally annoying and it’s unnecessary,” Arsenault said. “There are options that would be much healthier for the environment and for people, and I think would be as efficient.”
Supporters have several reasons for suggesting the ban. Noise tops the list. But they’re also concerned about the chemicals and the allergens the leaf blowers are spewing in the air, and about the carbon dioxide emissions.
“Leaf blowers are technology run amok,” Cole said. “We use them so much for doing so little. There’s not that many leaves.”
Streicher has given the council a proposed ordinance that would declare the leaf blowers a public nuisance and prohibit anyone from using them anywhere in the city of Naples. The law would impose fines on violators.
The prohibition would cover all types of blowers, both gas-powered and electric.
“I want to go for all,” Cole said.
She has started an online petition. To “sign” it, residents can send their name and address to noleafblowers@yahoo.com. The group’s Web site can be found at banleafblowers.googlepages.com.
So far, about 30 people have signed the petition, Cole said. She expects to get a lot more signatures, as word spreads about the petition.
“Hardly anybody knows about it,” she said. “I’ve only sent a few e-mails to people.”
If the city goes along with the idea, it wouldn’t be the first to pull the plug on leaf blowers.
More than 20 cities in California have adopted blower bans, including Carmel, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Berkeley and Laguna Beach. Cities in other states, such as Colorado, Illinois and New York, have restricted them as well. Others are considering it.
“There are hundreds of cities that have regulated them in some way. That often means banning them. In the North, what they tend to do is ban them in the summer and permit them to be used briefly in the spring and fall,” said Les Blomberg, director of The Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, a national nonprofit organization in Vermont whose mission is to raise awareness about noise issues.
Some cities have only banned gas-powered blowers. Others have set a decibel limit, Blomberg said.
He’s not a fan of leaf blowers, himself.
“I think the leaf blower is one of the most stupidest inventions ever. It doesn’t do anything. It doesn’t pick up trash. All it does is blow litter around.”
The proposed ban in Naples is likely to dust up controversy. Landscapers won’t like it. For them, it’s likely to mean more work.
“The only other option is a broom,” said John Pelletier, general manager of Ray’s Lawn and Garden in Naples, which has residential and commercial clients in the city. “That’s pretty much all we could use. It doesn’t sound like a good idea.”
About 10 to 13 percent of the company’s business is done in the city of Naples, he said.
He said lawn maintenance companies are likely to fight a ban because it would increase their costs.
At some of Naples’ more lavish homes, it would be hard to sweep up leaves and grass and have the same crisp finished look customers have come to expect, Pelletier said.
“Trying to sweep a 200-foot-long driveway is pretty tough, especially if it’s rock,” he said. “I have a few driveways like that. They’re not concrete, not a hard surface, but pebbles.”
He said there are low decibel blowers out there, and it’s an option his company uses sometimes. But usually the quieter blowers are more expensive.
Tom Burish, executive director of the Landscape Maintenance Association, a statewide trade group, said residents might rethink a ban if they consider the bottom line.
“It would just be plain ridiculous,” he said.
Without leaf blowers, it will take crews much longer to finish the job and customers would see it in their bills, he said.
“There’s a big trade-off there,” he said. “It would be serious money.”
Research has found that blowing clippings back into the yard is beneficial as mulch, and blades of grass eventually deteriorate, adding nitrogen to the soil, Burish said.
The Naples City Council has discussed a ban before, Naples Mayor Bill Barnett said.
But there are a lot of questions that need to be answered before he would feel comfortable supporting one, he said.
“I don’t think you can show me landscapers that don’t use those blowers, including the maintenance crews that are contracted out for the city and I want to know what the alternative is,” Barnett said.
“Granted someone that is blowing leaves in a gutter can rake them in there as well,” he said. “But we need more information.”
He said the council would have to hear from a lot of people before considering a ban, and not just the residents who are against leaf blowers. Among his concerns are the cost and how the city would enforce the law.
Other cities with bans have struggled with enforcement.
The city has a lot of other issues to worry about, Barnett said.
“Let’s put it this way,” he said. “It’s not at the top of my priority list. But that doesn’t mean it’s not on my priority list or I wouldn’t consider it.”
For Cole, it’s a top priority. When she returns from the Midwest, she plans to step up her push for the ban.
She said it doesn’t make sense that the city has a noise ordinance that regulates barking dogs and loud music but not lawn equipment.
For her, the whir of the leaf blowers is worse than the roar of planes flying out of the Naples Municipal Airport. After a long fight, the Naples Airport Authority was successful in banning the noisier Stage 2 jets.
“It’s more constant than the jets,” she said. “Certain times of the year aren’t that bad, like now. People aren’t coming in and out of the airport as much now that it’s hot.”
Cole lives in Old Naples, near St. Ann’s Catholic Church. She’s surrounded by other condominiums and townhomes.
She expects a tough fight.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle,” she said. “But I think it’s a battle that is going to be worth fighting.”
Comments
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Sweeping up clippings and debris is a lot more work with a broom or rake than with a blower. Weed eaters are another hazard that flings debris all over the place and stirs up dust.
#1 Posted by doodlebug on June 16, 2007 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You have got to be kidding me! Of all the nonsense that I have heard around here the past 30 years this has got to be the tops! If this is all these people have to worry about then I guess they just need to get a life.
I myself am not crazy about leaf blowers but I would never tell someone else they can't have or use one. The very folks that complain about the noise would be the first ones to complain when the bill from their landscaping service goes up because they have to take the extra time to sweep up.
Come on folks let's all get over ourselves and learn to live with each other.
#2 Posted by swfl_ff on June 16, 2007 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the time where you hand THEM the broom and say, "have at it."
#3 Posted by pastywhitegirl on June 16, 2007 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Right on! Leaf blowers are ridiculous. They just move stuff around. I've seen our landscape crew first blow the grass cuittings into the street and then the next crew comes along and blows it back the way it was the first time.
There are machines that can suck up debris if necessary.
Leaf blowers pollute, cause increase in allergens and toxic debris.
I wish I lived in Naples proper so I could sign the petition.
Those who don't think it's important haven't read how dangerous it is on many levels.
#4 Posted by naplesgardener on June 16, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like the same people that brought you the frisbee law many moons ago.
If these people dedicated half the amount of time to making the community a better place to live and learning how to communicate with their neighbors this would not be an issue.
#5 Posted by cdoc on June 16, 2007 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No one seems to be considering the two most obvious options to gasoline powered leaf blowers which are: Goats! lots of them in Iraq....no further explanation necessary on that one, unless you're without imagination. BUT better yet are trained monkeys!!! Imagine 3 or 4 or them sitting on the landscapers shoulders, ready to swoop down at his command to retrieve the offensive debris!!!
#6 Posted by Naplestango on June 16, 2007 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't this the way of the world today. Everybody wants to tell you what you can and can't do. Everybody seems to want to get the government involved so then the police can get involved to enforce yet another ordinace. It already feels like we live in a police state. Be carefull what you wish for. Your individual rights are crumbling right out from under your feet.
#7 Posted by gregm6325 on June 16, 2007 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those of you who think this ban is silly obviously do not live in a community where these useless pieces of crap are used ALL DAY LONG - I literally have to listen to this horrendous sound every thursday from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Maybe you have day jobs and therefore your ears are not subjected to this abuse of noise. People who have night jobs are not so lucky. I have left the comfort of my own home for the whole day pretty much every thursday just so I won't have to listen to this incessant noise pollution over and over and over... I have watched these landscapers literally take 5 to 10 minutes just on ONE driveway blowing little pieces of nothing from one side to the other. I have listened to my association and the landscaping company basically tell me I am crazy and that no one else is bothered by it...I am so glad to see that there are OTHERS who are trying to do something about it - I will definitely be signing the petition and urge all others whose ears can't take it any longer to do so too!!! And anyway, if we can't ban them, why the hell can't they be required to get the low decibel blowers as described above?
#8 Posted by smartypants on June 17, 2007 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know what is more ridiculous, the person who has so little else wrong in their life that they have taken a stance against leaf blowers or the NDN for making it a feature story...
#9 Posted by Green_Machine on June 17, 2007 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You know your life must be pretty dull when your cause du jour is banning leaf blowers.
#10 Posted by savethewhalz on June 17, 2007 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cdoc ~ I agree, these are the same people that brought about frisbee laws many moons ago, the very same morons that had homes built or bought right near the Naples airport and are now whining about noise from airplanes and jets.
And the very same ones that will be complaining when THEY have to sweep up their own lawn clippings OR pay the extra 20 bucks because the lawn crews don't want to do, or because it takes too long. LOLOL
I think it's finally time to get out of Naples, stupidity like this is just the icing on the cake...
#11 Posted by Jadip811 on June 17, 2007 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please just stay in the Mid-West don't come back. What are they going to think of next. Let these very people pay for everyone of these Landscaping Co. new equipment or better yet let there maintance go up to reflect the increase in equipment and man power. You complain you pay. You obviously have the means with the other 30. These guys work too hard at keeping this community beautiful and if it wasn't, you'd COMPLAIN! Then the neighbors leaves would be blowing in your yard or the grass clippings are on the sidewalk and you might fall.Wasn't it the people up NORTH that wanted this plush landscaping? It was just fine before we started catering to the.....well You'all did it to yourselves now live with it. Your worried about the enviroment, that should have been a worry long before now. GO BACK to your LIFE up North and STAY THERE!!!!!!!
#12 Posted by lacroix1 on June 17, 2007 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She even wants to ban the quieter non polluting electric blowers! Which tells me she is just another old cronk with too much time on her hands wanting to control other peoples lives. I got a solution for no blow Cole. Stay up north and enjoy the quiet. You will not be missed here in Naples.
#13 Posted by strigiformes on June 17, 2007 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't realize noise blowers were such a major issue for geriatric, vegetative,old farts downtown. if this world WAS perfect people like this would STILL find something to complain, whine and bit@h about...
BIG mistake putting your web site and email address up there. noleafblowers@yahoo.com. banleafblowers.googlepages.com.
I'm sure they will get some interesting email, I know I sent one. Googlesite isn't pulling up though.
P.S. Why not get a part time job at Publix or volunteer someplace folks, you have WAY too much time on your hands to find things to complain about...
#14 Posted by Jadip811 on June 17, 2007 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if they can hear the world's smallest violin playing over the sound of my 5 hp leaf blower?
#15 Posted by myrealname on June 17, 2007 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Most of these complainers of noise above don't have "2 dimes to rub together", illegally have their houses partitioned to rent to starving artists, have duplex electric meters on single family homes, fight with every techinican over the bill..that they called to fix their house problems and still wear the stinky tank tops that they wore to the last Jefferson Airplane concert in the 60s..just the usual Naples "I never worked wannabees"..me, I love the 5am smell of diesel & naplam..livin large in Naples, rich on paper..
#16 Posted by Trexler on June 17, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I say ban them and let the home owners sweep it up,if that will make them feel better.
#17 Posted by weazz on June 17, 2007 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The old kvetch has a condo on one of the approach paths to the Naples airport. I bet she finally gets relief in the wintertime when those private jets come in one after another drowning out the screeching whine of the leaf blowers that run 24/7. Thank God she's at her northern home during hurricane season. I would hate for her to suffer from the clatter of chainsaws after one of our big storms.
#18 Posted by yregrus on June 17, 2007 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sophisticated village ... My A**
#19 Posted by Judy on June 17, 2007 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Could we change the title of the article... Blowhards against Blowers. Maybe if we had the address of the offended person we could have a 'blow-in' where we had a gathering of leaf blowers....
#20 Posted by cdoc on June 17, 2007 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have told my HOA that I am happy to sweep up my driveway.
The majority of posters should read how dangerous (not just annoying) leaf blowers are by:
1.stirring up pathogens that are on the ground including dried up dog feces as well as other pathogens that can cause serious respiratory illnesses.
2.causing noise pollution that is heard thoughout a great area. I have not been able to hold a telephone conversation for half an hour while the noise continues outside.
3.causing air pollution from the motor.
4.causing deafness to the person operating the blower.
Why do these people object to making our world a safer place? Are these the same people who don't want to be told to wear a seat belt?
If you go on the internet and do a little research you will confirm why other cities have banned leaf blowers.
Naples is filled with intelligent people who want to make the world a better place. I wish more of them posted here.
#21 Posted by naplesgardener on June 17, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You have to love the concern for the environment.
"Chemicals and allergens", get real. How about all the chemicals placed on their yards, and the millions of gallons water sprinkling used to wash it into the bay. Send a check to the Conservancy while your at it. They will protect you from the inconvenient truth.
#22 Posted by swampbuggy on June 17, 2007 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
www.hillaryclinton.com
#23 Posted by naplesres on June 17, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thankyou Ms Cole! I hope you are successful. We even hear this constant noise on Sundays. I hope leaf blowers are banned, but to be real, it probably won't happen. Too many people want that manicured lawn and don't live here full time to hear the annoying sound. Maybe a comprimise might be the answer. Anyway good luck! I'm signing.
#24 Posted by Lenkaye on June 17, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Give me a friggin break. This is marco island crap, keep your silly rules out of Naples politics please.
#25 Posted by Soybean on June 17, 2007 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, you know that lawn tractors are next. And forget about that Harley you've always wanted. Specialty cars....forget it. Get ready to change your boat motor every year, cause flushing is out of the question. Don't bother having any kids either, cause you KNOW how irritating THEIR noises can be to cantankerous idiots like this woman. Forget about pressure cleaning your house....mold and mildew are far healthier than pressure cleaner noise. Be sure to keep your garage door well lubricated too. One of those inadvertent squeaks might wake this woman and garage doors will be banned forever. Everybody will just have a carport instead. What about engine starters? You KNOW how noisy those things are when you're starting your car in the morning, so everyone will just have to get a plug in hybrid to please this sleeping bear.
Lady, don't bother trying to get a life. You wouldn't know what to do with it if it slapped you in the face. You are simply the most selfish, self centered person in Naples right now, till one of your commarades beats you out next week with something even more stupid and ridiculous. It's as if your kind COMPETES for bragging rights to "idiot of the week".
#26 Posted by estatelover on June 17, 2007 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If Naples must align with left wing cities like Berkeley CA , please consider to have blowers used during hours when construction is allowed, The Amish have problems with cows & horses creating pollution. The Industrial Revolution will not go into reverse no matter how hard the Green activists try.
#27 Posted by lasater1 on June 17, 2007 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Judy, you said it @ 8:23, and so has everybody else-this is a total crock. As i have always said, the elitist attitudes in Naples are what it ruining the town. NOT the growth, or the snow birds, or the kids, or anything else that those with nothing but time and money on their hands can blame it on.
Hell, if this is what happens to people when they get old and rich (becoming snobby, elitist busy bodies trying to run everybody elses lives) then just shoot me now.
#28 Posted by wordofmouth on June 17, 2007 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
estatelover,
You are really rude. just wait until you have a concern. These things wake up my kid every time they show up next door. Especially becuase my neighbor allows his crew to start at 7 sharp, "setting-up" at 6:45. Unreal. Middle of teh day? Who cares, 7 AM is ridiculous.
#29 Posted by provider on June 17, 2007 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Estateslover....One day a week your kid has to awaken at 7am? Sad as it may be, life sometimes can be very difficult... even for children. Fortunately we have some very capable pediatric counselors in our community to help your child cope with this abuse.
#30 Posted by yregrus on June 17, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whhaaaahhhhh!!!!! My life is unbearable in my winter home. They use blowers to keep my yard and driveway pretty!!! Whhaaahhhh!!! What's next in the terrible City of Naples, a sidewalk on my street so people can walk close to my house!!! Whaaahhhhhhhh!!!
Do us all a favor and keep your whining self up north and take some of these other pathetic gadflys with you.
NDN- is there not any algae washing up on the beach today, is there nothing else to report on????
#31 Posted by Hayduke on June 17, 2007 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don't the ol' goats just leave their hearing aids on the nightstand till 10 or 11:00.. Problem solved. These people should feel fortunate that is the biggest of their problems. My niece is 3 years old and deaf. What she and her parents would not give for her to have the privilege of hearing those leaf blowers.
#32 Posted by boulderbilly on June 17, 2007 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem here is that the old crabs with nothing else to think about have the numbers, and the financial wherewithal, to actually get legislation like this passed -- legislation that does nothing but cater to their idiosyncratic wishes. You'd expect common sense to rule and for propositions like this to never make it out of grumpy Greta's living room, but in this day and age -- where judges sue for $65 million over a pair of pants -- anything is possible.
Many of us live in entire communities with phone book sized books of bylaws, nearly all of which are designed around what Betty doesn't like to look at or what Harold doesn't like to be reminded of. If you don't like what your neighbor is doing, just propose a new bylaw that makes it illegal, then call the association and proceed directly to punitive measures. Don't even think about _talking_ to your neighbor and trying to come to some kind of agreement -- you probably don't even know what your neighbor looks like.
The incredible waste of time, money and manpower that's spent creating solutions that are looking for problems simply boggles my mind.
#33 Posted by Pontiaction on June 17, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have lived in communities which do not allow leaf blowers and we got along fine without them, not to mention the bliss that comes from the quiet.
Spending a lot of time at home during the day I know that it is true that the noise from the mowers is pretty constant every day from 7am to 6pm, except Sunday.
It was my thought that a better idea would be to carve up the city into zones and require that a particular zone can only be mowed on a specific day of the week. This would allow the blowers (which I agree are vital to the gardener) to be used but at least the noise would be limited to only one or two days per week in any specific neighborhood instead of six.
Those of you who are not home during the day of course would never understand this annoyance.
#34 Posted by daily_reader on June 17, 2007 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
.... One step closer to Stepford! If more energy were spent for useful, necessary issues this city would be a much better place. What do you expect from people that refuse to water their lawns with potable water, they use drinking water! Soon the streets will be crowded with the Avian, Perrier and Pelligrino trucks! Good Luck and get a life!
#35 Posted by sheltie on June 17, 2007 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good thing Henry Kennedy(aka the gadfly) is out of jail, maybe he can come down to the next city council meeting and straighten this whole mess out.
#36 Posted by micirisi on June 17, 2007 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yregrus, I think you mixed up my comment with someone elses. I'm on YOUR side against this idiot. Please acknowledge.
#37 Posted by estatelover on June 17, 2007 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So now 95% of us must bow our lifestyles to the miserable 5% who has chosen to work the graveyard shift somewhere. What ever happened to the sacrifice of a few for the good of the many? Is that kind of unselfish thinking a complete thing of the past in this new generation of cantankerous, frustrated, "all about me", association governed old fogies and inept parents? Now you're at home more than before so the whole world has to change the way they live just to accomodate your new lifestyle? And what the heck are your kids doing in bed after 7 AM anyway, you lazy do nothings? What kind of crappy values are you trying to instill in their tender minds?
Are these actually parents making these comments? What kid is in bed after 7 AM on a thursday? Should I report you guys to the school authorities? Join the human race people. When I was going to school I lived and slept with my windows open right on a 4 lane highway near the airport, and I slept fine, and turned out ok enough to know what a bunch of whining idiots we're surrounded by today. And they all seem to live in these condo general governed gestapos which they have chosen to call "communities". These aren't communities, they are concentration camps for the mentally ridiculous.
#38 Posted by estatelover on June 17, 2007 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, estatelover, yegrus must be on crack or something and the nasty opinion seem directed toward the person who was anguished when their child's sleep was disturbed by some lawn maintenence. Children like to stay up late and sleep until noon and when they get up early, they bother their parents. It is understandable. I think the big issue is whether these workers with their lawn blowers are illegal Mexicans. This is what brought this whole issue to a boiling point. Illeagals coming to our country and using their leafblowers to drive the old people mad...hoping they will all go back to Ohio and then the Mexicans can take over Florida. I saw it coming.
#39 Posted by micirisi on June 17, 2007 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just plain stupid...
#40 Posted by denrob14 on June 17, 2007 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I cant stand people like this lady and her followers. Boo hoo, i hear blowers. What will be next, lawnmowers...weedeaters...edgers...gas hedgers...?!?!?!?!?!
It will never stop. Did i read that she doesnt even live here all year around? What the heck? I use a blower at my house because i have a 100'-0" drive-way and it looks better than sweeping it and takes less time. If your people are blowing leaves in your neighbors yard and they blowing them back, then be a grown up and talk to your neighbor...that's what adults do.
IF its too early for your lazy kids, then teach them to get up. Parents who let their kids get into that pattern of staying up late and sleep in late in the morning is one thing thats wrong with this society.....teaching laziness to children.
Also, why would we listen to such a small group of people. Its that same thing as the taking God out of society...........PEOPLE WAKE UP AND SPEAK UP!!!!
#41 Posted by NeezDutz on June 17, 2007 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear sensitive eared Neopolitans:
Ear plugs...noise canceling headphones, music and well constructed homes all work to keep the sounds at bay. If you all are so pumped about the noise...go out broom in hand and sweep it up...or is your complaint only for the other properties?
#42 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on June 17, 2007 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NeezDutz...the next thing she will be complaining about is the neighbors' snoring, LOL>
#43 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on June 17, 2007 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Although more important issues are at hand, the
banning of leaf blowers should be considered.
I lived in Beverly Hills during the 1980's when
blowers were legal then banned by the BH City Hall.
It makes a difference in the community.
#44 Posted by will1313 on June 17, 2007 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh please, snobs get a life. If you don't like the noise, buy earplugs.
#45 Posted by Hendry on June 17, 2007 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you know of them tearing down the kids' Treehouse because it wasn't "Up to Code"; If you know about the little girl's Lemonade stand they shut down for lack of permit ~ then this isn't only rediculous, but also predictable.
#46 Posted by ljfroloff on June 18, 2007 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HAHA...Blue thats great
by the way OSHA mandates the use of earplugs for those type of tools/machinery
#47 Posted by NeezDutz on June 18, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are the people in Naples really for real. They could do so much good with their time to help others in need then trying to make a name for them selves in the paper. Naples was a beautiful place to live when I first moved here. Now they are working on Estero. My GOD get a life.
#48 Posted by Kai on June 19, 2007 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We have raised this issue to see what the residents of Naples would like to do about the noise and air pollution that leaf blowers create. If the petition fails to get support, then we will have our answer.
This petition is not just about noise. Please visit the website to see the 8 main reasons to ban leaf blowers in Naples: banleafblowers.googlepages.com
#49 Posted by noleafblowers on June 19, 2007 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are all wrong in your idiotic assessment that we are all old farts with nothing better to do with our time or that we are lazy because we want our children to sleep past 6:45 am. I am young, have a child and actually do have MUCH better things to do with my time which is why I want this useless, obscene, harrassing piece of equipment to be banned. Why am I paying someone to very loudly move grass?!?! They are not actually getting rid of the grass - they are moving it around - I know what can do the same exact thing for free and without the noise...it's called wind. You are all right - there are much better things to fight for -so let's first get rid of the noise pollution so I can be a useful, productive member of society on thursdays and I'll try and spend my time on issues much more important like (this is for you billybobnos) trying to help deaf people find a way to hear so they can listen to the beautiful sound of a leafblower...what a completely ignorant comment, billybobnos...I have just as much compassion for your niece as I do for my very young child who cries in fear everytime she hears this monstrous sound. The only selfish people on this issue are the ones who are afraid their lawns might not be so perfectly manicured...talk about hypocrisy.
#50 Posted by smartypants on June 25, 2007 at 12:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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