Petition to Abolish Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers in Our Communities

For decades, gas-powered leaf blowers have assaulted our health, our peace, our wildlife, and our environment. These machines are not just a nuisance — they are a menace.

The Human Toll
I recently underwent a heart procedure and was ordered to rest for four days. I never got that rest. From morning to night, leaf blowers screamed outside my home every single day. This is not just an inconvenience — it is an assault on public health and basic human dignity.

I know children tortured by the constant noise, babies who cry inconsolably when blowers roar nearby, and neighbors who have been physically injured by the force of these machines. One friend’s teenage son has begged to leave the country just to escape the sound. Families cannot enjoy a dinner outdoors without being drowned out by the deafening roar.

The Environmental Toll
These machines are ecological weapons of mass destruction. They scatter allergens, dust, and even animal feces into the air, covering cars, outdoor furniture, and entering our homes. They destroy habitats for butterflies, turtles, toads, and salamanders. The piles of leaves they blow away are not waste — they are nature’s mulch, vital for soil health, water retention, and wildlife. By removing them, we damage ecosystems and accelerate climate decline.

The Scientific Toll

The facts are undeniable:

· Thirty minutes of gas-powered leaf blower use produces as much pollution as driving a pickup truck from Texas to Alaska.

· Noise levels exceed 85 decibels — enough to cause permanent hearing loss.

· The vibrations penetrate walls and bodies, disturbing sleep, concentration, and mental health.

Even celebrities like Hugh Grant, Cate Blanchett, and respected voices like David Bouchier have spoken out against them, calling them “everything that is wrong with the human race” and “an enormous, unbearable noise.”

The Hypocrisy
We live in a time when loud music is regulated by law, yet leaf blowers are allowed to roar all day, every day, even on holidays. We call ourselves a “green” community while destroying leaves that should enrich our soil, feed our birds, and protect our soil and water. We spend money on mulch when nature provides it freely under our feet.

The Personal Cost
I have lived in Westhampton for over 35 years. I have dedicated my life to this community as a board member of environmental organizations, as a teacher, a writer, and a wildlife advocate. I created a sanctuary that supports countless species. And yet, despite all of this, I find myself looking for a way out. The constant roar of blowers has driven me from the peace of my own home.

I am not alone. Everyone I speak to despises these machines. They destroy our health, our peace, and our environment.

Our Demand

We call on our local government to abolish gas-powered leaf blowers once and for all.

· Ban their use year-round, not just in summer.

· Transition landscaping practices toward sustainable, electric alternatives.

· Protect our families, our wildlife, and our community health.

This madness must end. Please sign this petition and help restore peace, sanity, and ecological health to our neighborhoods.

Together, we can end the destructive noise, the pollution, and the ecological grief caused by gas-powered leaf blowers.