As a member of the committee to ban gas-powered leaf blowers in Oak Park, I am disappointed that gas blowers are back in use because of confusion around whether the ban still exists.
When the news spread that fines were no longer being issued to landscapers, but to homeowners instead (a short-term policy that I completely agree with) — I found that many landscapers operating in my neighborhood had universally misunderstood that news to mean the ban was no longer being enforced. I even had one landscaper rip up, in front of me, the translated info sheet I printed out for him.
I get it. Confusion abounds. People have strong feelings about the policy. That is why the village of Oak Park needs to clearly re-communicate this policy to landscapers as they renew their licenses this spring.
Let’s please help them understand what we expect.
This morning, three gas-powered leaf blowers, operated by Ramiro Garcia Landscaping, were in use at 304 S. Cuyler. When I explained the policy to the homeowner — truly in a friendly, neighborly way — he became abruptly angry with me and said “I waited six months for this work to be done, get off my property.”
Sigh …
Let’s work together to get the word out — again— that gas-powered leaf blowers are not allowed in Oak Park. Please contact me to discuss how communication about gas-powered leaf blowers and the spring landscaping season will be handled. I know letters were sent out last year to many, but not all, of the local landscapers.
We worked hard to make this ban a reality. It was the right thing to do for our environment and our community. I felt proud of Oak Park’s commitment to the environment — not just through talk, but action. I believe most homeowners and landscapers want to comply; they are just confused about the policy.
I also wrote to Wednesday Journal today with a “story suggestion,” asking for their help to spread the word.
Robin Winge
Oak Park