Letters To The Editor: Aug. 2000

To the Editor:
My teeth begin to grind when I read articles about leaf blowers that contain verbiage such as yours about landscape contractors that are not doing their part in the battle to prevent bans (Editor’s Focus, February issue, Lawn & Landscape).

I have personally spent, along with other members of my association, many months working on the prevention of bans on leaf blowers in the State of California. The California Landscape Contractors Association has dedicated the last two years to obtaining statewide legislation on leaf blowers. That means taking time – lots of time – away from our businesses to fight an issue that is important to us. Unfortunately, those that seem to portray the voice of the industry are not abreast of the current events that are taking place on a daily basis here in California.

Fighting the battle for the leaf blower is not just a simple issue. There is more politics involved here than I ever thought possible. Those that speculate on this issue often have no idea about what is truly going on.

We have a strong coalition in California, people that perhaps ordinarily wouldn’t be on the same page, but have come together to fight for fair legislation on this tool. Whatever the results of our battle may be here, remember it so often determines its fate in other states.

Bob West writes:
My intent with the February Editor’s Focus column was to encourage contractors to get more involved defending the industry against unnecessary legislation. There are obviously a number of individuals and groups, such as Ms. Alvarez and her allies in California, who are committed to supporting the entire industry, and they all deserve our thanks. They also deserve our help.