I was out on my daily perambulation before the rain today and encountered four of these devil's tools within about three miles. Of course, I heard them long before I saw them. One was being operated by a hapless crew, three by homeowners who apparently do not mind tormenting their neighbors at length on an autumn Sunday.
They either had not heard or had ignored the town council's new ordinance banning these things, which many observers have called the most forward-thinking and enlightened legislation since Hammurabi's Code. If a local law cannot persuade these benighted Maplewoodians to stop the drone, I have a solution: We persuade them to take up long-term cosplay as residents of Euless, Texas, a crown in the jewel of Fort Worth's exurbs.
Cosplaying as Euless residents could become a mark of suburban hipsterdom, like the garage bars. The key parts of the Euless lifestyle: Cut down the trees that strew the offensive leaves in the first place. You want your house exposed to the burning sun, baking in the heat of Texas amplified by global warming. Then, tear up the grass, which doesn't grow well in the Texas heat anyway, and is an unpleasant reminder of the nature you're trying to extirpate. Replace it with white rocks. For decor, there are granite sculptures in the shape of Texas that are the size of small refrigerators. You can park your pickup directly on the front yard, next to your granite Texas and your friends will be impressed when they come over to watch the Cowboys games on Sundays.
There will be no need for leaf blowers in this little slice of the Lone Star State transplanted to New Jersey.
It will take a large collective effort to get this trend started, I admit. The other option is shaming people into getting rid of the blowers with dirty looks and annoying reminders, or having the township step up code enforcement and bringing the hammer down.
I, for one, am going to go pick up my giant granite Texas. I may wind up dropping it on someone's head.
What is this obsession with people blowing their yards out of leaves? Maybe wear earplugs when you go hunting for benign maplwoodians blowing their leaves. I’m glad Montclair didn’t vote for the ban. People are fed up with a few things around here, and one of them is people dictating how to clean their yards.
Maybe wear earplugs when you go hunting for benign maplwoodians blowing their leaves.
Earplugs would have made it harder for Moammar to use a phone to report the scofflaws he witnessed, as the township has requested: “If you become aware of anyone violating the ordinance, please call the Department of Community Development, Code Enforcement at (973) 762-8120 x3400.”
People are fed up with a few things around here, and one of them is people dictating how to clean their yards.
Nobody is dictating anything. The township passed a restriction, and benign Maplewoodians follow it.
Nobody is dictating anything. The township passed a restriction, and benign Maplewoodians follow it.
hopefully some day after the grumpy old people are gone this restriction will be reversed. I see people in South Orange using leaf blowers all over town and it’s a beautiful sight to see them leaf piles on the curbs. Makes life easier. I won’t give up my leaf blower for any grumpy old person.
hopefully some day after the grumpy old people are gone this restriction will be reversed. I see people in South Orange using leaf blowers all over town and it’s a beautiful sight to see them leaf piles on the curbs. Makes life easier. I won’t give up my leaf blower for any grumpy old person.
Why can’t we do like west orange will do in 2025 and limit them to the spring and fall cleanups? Six weeks in the spring and six weeks in the fall? It’s a ridiculous law.
As I recall, it's not a ban on leaf blowers.... just gas powered leaf blowers. And I believe it applies to commercial landscapers, not Henry D. Homeowner.
However, there may be a ban on Sunday noise.
The childcare center on Irvington Ave --- their landscaper starts blowing on Sunday mornings. Used to start at 7 a.m., until I complained to the director. Unfortunately, it is in Newark so Mpl. ordinance doesn't apply.
As I recall, it's not a ban on leaf blowers.... just gas powered leaf blowers. And I believe it applies to commercial landscapers, not Henry D. Homeowner.
Residential yards could be a haven for plants and animals hard-pressed by habitat loss and the use of agricultural chemicals. Instead, we apply weed killers and pesticides (that's what mosquito control is) and scrub and groom the biodiversity out of our yards. Why?
I the last couple of years, I discovered that I can mulch my leaves in place with my electric mower and haven't raked leaves since then. The only time I use my electric blower is on gutters and, occasionally, driveway and sidewalk. My lawn doesn't look as neat and military as many other lawns, but it is hardly a vacant lot.
Why do we need all the noise and dust pollution that results from our quest for immaculate lawns?
hopefully some day after the grumpy old people are gone this restriction will be reversed. I see people in South Orange using leaf blowers all over town and it’s a beautiful sight to see them leaf piles on the curbs. Makes life easier. I won’t give up my leaf blower for any grumpy old person.
Are you saying that gas-powered leaf-blowers are the only possible method for moving leaves out to the curb, and without them we are all doomed to have leaves on our lawn?
Oh, the despair!
Of course this reflects the great lack of imagination that people of a certain, um, persuasion share. It's the same lack of imagination that prevents them from imagining how the non-stop noise and fumes might affect someone with small children. Or a home business. Or a quiet backyard in which to engage in conversation and socializing. Or people with allergies. Or people who work nights. Or people who just would like a little peace and quiet.
Empathy. Imagine that.
But if your need to have leaves on the curb (leaves which absolutely must be moved there by means of a gas-powered blower) is more important than anyone else's need -- for anything -- there's a word that describes you.
I'm all for the ban. Even Maplewood Country Club is not using the gas-powered blowers anymore.
Maplewood Country Club was given an exemption under the ordinance. They use gas-powered blowers that are towed. But I think they only get to use them certain times of the year.
hopefully some day after the grumpy old people are gone this restriction will be reversed. I see people in South Orange using leaf blowers all over town and it’s a beautiful sight to see them leaf piles on the curbs. Makes life easier. I won’t give up my leaf blower for any grumpy old person.
Are you saying that gas-powered leaf-blowers are the only possible method for moving leaves out to the curb, and without them we are all doomed to have leaves on our lawn?
Oh, the despair!
Of course this reflects the great lack of imagination that people of a certain, um, persuasion share. It's the same lack of imagination that prevents them from imagining how the non-stop noise and fumes might affect someone with small children. Or a home business. Or a quiet backyard in which to engage in conversation and socializing. Or people with allergies. Or people who work nights. Or people who just would like a little peace and quiet.
Empathy. Imagine that.
But if your need to have leaves on the curb (leaves which absolutely must be moved there by means of a gas-powered blower) is more important than anyone else's need -- for anything -- there's a word that describes you.
Or how do they affect the workers that use them 30-40 hours per week. They are not good for the health of the user.
The price of admission to the suburbs and having a home includes a yard and a garden if lucky enough to have the space, as well as upkeep, which includes the use of a gas powered blower if you wish at times. If used, it’s often for a short period, not hours on end. If you’re concerned about allergies and noise etc…. Move into any of the 4th floor condos being erected all over our towns.
The price of admission to the suburbs and having a home includes a yard and a garden if lucky enough to have the space, as well as upkeep, which includes the use of a gas powered blower if you wish at times. If used, it’s often for a short period, not hours on end. If you’re concerned about allergies and noise etc…. Move into any of the 4th floor condos being erected all over our towns.
Well, I suppose I could apply this argument to justify all manner of industrial pollution.
I'm all for the ban. Even Maplewood Country Club is not using the gas-powered blowers anymore.
Maplewood Country Club was given an exemption under the ordinance. They use gas-powered blowers that are towed. But I think they only get to use the certain times of the year.
Watching them out there right now, it seems you're right and they've switched to electric backpack blowers (I see green on the backpack instead the usual orange/white), but the towed ones are still gas-powered as yahooyahoo said, and those are still loud AF.
Maplewood should provide residents with electric blowers being that it could be a financial hardship on some residents. I don’t think many of my neighbors have upgraded. I did see one of the ‘new’ families on the street using electric. Considering what they paid they can well afford it
Maplewood should provide residents with electric blowers being that it could be a financial hardship on some residents. I don’t think many of my neighbors have upgraded. I did see one of the ‘new’ families on the street using electric. Considering what they paid they can well afford it
An electric blower costs anywhere between $50 and $200.
Average tax bill in Maplewood is five figures. I don't see how buying an electric blower is a financial hardship for most residents that own a yard.
Maplewood should provide residents with electric blowers being that it could be a financial hardship on some residents. I don’t think many of my neighbors have upgraded. I did see one of the ‘new’ families on the street using electric. Considering what they paid they can well afford it
There are tools called rakes and brooms. The latter provide more exercise than a blower anyway. I'm old enough to be considered a senior citizen and I can still rake my "middle Maplewood" (i.e. not tiny) yard.
I was out on my daily perambulation before the rain today and encountered four of these devil's tools within about three miles. Of course, I heard them long before I saw them. One was being operated by a hapless crew, three by homeowners who apparently do not mind tormenting their neighbors at length on an autumn Sunday.
They either had not heard or had ignored the town council's new ordinance banning these things, which many observers have called the most forward-thinking and enlightened legislation since Hammurabi's Code. If a local law cannot persuade these benighted Maplewoodians to stop the drone, I have a solution: We persuade them to take up long-term cosplay as residents of Euless, Texas, a crown in the jewel of Fort Worth's exurbs.
Cosplaying as Euless residents could become a mark of suburban hipsterdom, like the garage bars. The key parts of the Euless lifestyle: Cut down the trees that strew the offensive leaves in the first place. You want your house exposed to the burning sun, baking in the heat of Texas amplified by global warming. Then, tear up the grass, which doesn't grow well in the Texas heat anyway, and is an unpleasant reminder of the nature you're trying to extirpate. Replace it with white rocks. For decor, there are granite sculptures in the shape of Texas that are the size of small refrigerators. You can park your pickup directly on the front yard, next to your granite Texas and your friends will be impressed when they come over to watch the Cowboys games on Sundays.
There will be no need for leaf blowers in this little slice of the Lone Star State transplanted to New Jersey.
It will take a large collective effort to get this trend started, I admit. The other option is shaming people into getting rid of the blowers with dirty looks and annoying reminders, or having the township step up code enforcement and bringing the hammer down.
I, for one, am going to go pick up my giant granite Texas. I may wind up dropping it on someone's head.