Letter to the Editor: Leaf Blower Law

Dear Editor:

Manhattan Beach City Council on Sept. 6 voted unanimously to, in essence make criminals of hard-working laborers in our city – landscapers/gardeners. They should know better, especially at a time when local jobs are extremely scarce.  

• Previously: Law Firm Gains City Attorney Contract; Leaf Blower Law Changes

Laws put on the books by this Council's recent predecessors didn't need updating. The police have the ability to issue infraction citations to laborers if they violate our gas blower ordinance prior to issuing criminal misdemeanor ones. Discretion was built into the law to allow penalties depending on situation severity. 

This council took none of that into consideration. They listened to one resident complain that the ordinance should include "weed wackers" too. 

Now those of us who have the luxury of working in Manhattan Beach or in-home here are fortunate. One can look at the population swell of this city during the day, and departure of those same workers during the evening, to know the sole resident wanting to ban "weed wackers" is not pulling the grass from his yard.  

A vast majority of Manhattan Beach residents don't live in small condos with disturbing echo chambers. In the tree section, the east side, the sand section, all over town, we live in estates and homes with yards/gardens that need upkeep. The fresh smell of lawn-mowed grass is a small aromatic treasure.

So I hope this City Council, especially our most recent elected members, would do further homework before the final adoption of this new law. See why your predecessors wisely saw forward and did not want to make criminals out of the least, most hard-working amongst us. 

What next, the banning of scissors/hedge clippers? For absolute quiet, move to the country. 

Write City Council - CityCouncil@citymb.info. Tell them, “Lay off hard-working people who are fortunate to have a job.”

Mitch Ward
Former Mayor Manhattan Beach
www.mitchward.com