Guest opinion: It's past time for Menlo Park to go electric on blowers

Given the amount of work that gardeners do in a day and how long the battery lasts in the blowers I foresee gardeners buying generators that they leave running in the backs of their trucks charging the batteries while putting more pollution into the air.

I think the people who use gas powered leaf blowers for their business and livelihood should be part of any discussion in changing the laws around them.

Provide all the gardeners with free brooms.

I agree with "whatever."
Time to keep the pollutants (read carcinogens) out of the air that we breathe.
These mow'n blow workers who were either told by their boss, the city, or their own lack of common sense (no mask, no eye protection, no earplugs) are doing a GREAT job of keeping the sidewalks in MP and PA clean. Absolutely unnecessary.
All these problems go away with no blowers.

Brian = wrong...laws come first. Action follows. Workers will adapt.

I provide my gardener with an electric blower and a long power cord. He doesn't pay a dime. Most gardeners work hard and get minimal pay. Because I have solar panels on my house, my walks are cleaned by the sun! I've encouraged my guy not to blow at all, except for the sidewalks. Since the city, in all its wisdom has carpeted town with liquid amber trees and their pesky seed pods that trip up people, and occasionally poke a hole in a bike tire, I can't justify leaving them on my sidewalk. Other than that, I don't see the big deal about having leaf-free walks. Blowers not only spew out toxins, they also stir up plenty of dust, which is irritating to the lungs and causes asthma in sensitive individuals. Come on folks! Does the outside need to be as pristine as the inside? Think about it. Is it worth the price to have all your leaves whisked away. I've written before about the value of leaves as mulch around your trees and bushes. It saves water, keeps the surface soft and absorbent and in time, breaks down to feed the plants.

Brooms and rakes should be the only things used.