The social cost of leaf blower pollution in Paradise Valley
OPINION — Polling estimates indicate that a third or more active voters in the Town of Paradise Valley are concerned about the obvious negative effects of gas and electric leaf blowers, but we did not hear a peep from town council candidates on the matter.
The noise, dust, filth and total disregard for the well-being not only of our residents, but of the landscapers themselves, is deplorable. Most often without masks, and forever harnessed in the heat to deafening machines in a cloud of dust and smoke.
Who, may I ask, will bear the cost of their eventual and inevitable care, assuming any is available? Are we satisfied to envision them succumbing to COPD and noise-related stress; out of sight, out of mind?
We’ve all looked horrified into our rear-view mirrors at the pollution we leave behind as we take a drive out of town. Let us hope our new town council stops looking through a rear-view mirror and instead looks forward to a rapid solution – as have so many enlightened towns in our country with the guts to curb this asininity and assure a higher quality of life for residents and service workers alike.
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