It has come to our attention that a Sonoma citizen is on a crusade to ban leaf blowers within the City limits. Lisa Summers is asking for this issue to be made an agenda item at an upcoming City Council meeting and, in a compelling letter sent to councilmembers, divulges numerous reasons why. First and foremost of these reasons is the insidious noise that comes with the increasing use of leaf blowers. Second, Summers states that, in addition to noise pollution, leaf blowers are associated with a host of impacts to human health and the environment including but not limited to respiratory illness, air pollution, the redistribution of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, dust particles and animal feces into the air that we breathe.
As I write this, The Sun’s own campus mow and blow guy is doing his job and the din below my window is deafening, to say nothing of the bits of detritus now flying through the air. When I arrived at work, the parking lot looked clean enough. Just a few stray leaves and the typical accumulated dirt from the comings and goings of vehicles. Now, it looks and sounds like a dusty war zone. When our man is finished and the dust settles once again, it won’t look much different than before he started. What then, was the point?
Summers further states that, to date, more than 20 California cities and towns have put a ban on leaf blowers. She believes that a ban in Sonoma is in keeping with our Cittaslow charter as well as the City’s official position on climate change, sustainability and global warming.
The Sun agrees wholeheartedly with Summers and looks forward to seeing this issue on an upcoming agenda at either the Community Services and Environment Commission of the City Council. In the meantime, I have a broom to deliver.
God Bless America
July 4th is upon us once again and as we gear up for the parade, the Plaza celebration, the pool parties, hamburgers, hotdogs, beer, wine, soda and more, we are reminded always of the things that make our country great.
Sonoma’s July 4th celebration is a quintessential slice of small town Americana that brings our community together in honor of our country’s birth. People come from far and wide to have a “Mayberry” type of experience in and around our Plaza. From the smell of the barbeque to the pop of the fireworks to the now banned water fights, we use this day to rejoice in all that makes our town special. And best of all, July 4th comes mostly without materialism or commercialism. But for a few red, white and blue notions, a flag or some bunting, there is little to buy. What we do get to have is a profound sense of patriotism. Whether or not one has been in the military or has a loved one who has served, when you hear our national anthem, it is difficult to not get a lump in the throat or a tear in the eye. And regardless of where you stand on national politics, on this day, we come together as citizens to celebrate our independence.
So this July 4th, grab a seat on the parade route and enjoy something that our town does really well – celebrate. And be sure to watch for The Sun. We’ll be marching alongside favorites like The Hometown Band, Little Fiddlers, the Weiner dogs and the karate kids. It’s going to be another great day.
