Dear Editor,
A few days ago I saw someone along Gilbert Road raking leaves on the grounds of an apartment tower. By hand. Noiselessly, unpollutingly.
I wanted to congratulate him.
In my neighbourhood, gardeners have no manual equipment, just gas-powered weed-whackers, lawnmowers and leaf-blowers.
One man, servicing two adjacent properties, first shears all lawns with weed-whacker, slowly, then goes over everything with his gas lawnmower and finally brings out his leaf-blower. The persistent noise and stench are unbearable, even with windows closed.
At three or four houses next to and across from me, the gardeners use leaf-blowers for every imaginable purpose, including cleaning their shoes and equipment, always leaving the air reeking of gasoline and, when the wind comes from a certain direction, blowing a cloud of dust and pollution all over my property.
According to a story posted 16 July 2001 on CBC News, leaf-blowers were to be fully banned in Vancouver by 2004. Why can’t Richmond follow suit and show some concern and respect for our ears and lungs?
Sabine Eiche
Richmond
