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I have been ticketed twice. In both cases the error was the officers’. I was operating legally each time. Now I happened to be active in the state’s local pro bike cycling lobby, and I am certified as an instructor in the league of American bicyclists old “Effective Cycling” program. (Basically we teach cycling as the driver of a vehicle, which has been shown to reduce risks to the rider.)The first time I was riding home from work, on Mass. Ave. in Cambridge. The road is striped with a bike lane. As is typical, what they did was delineate the bit of road a cyclist should avoid, the space adjacent to parallel parked cars, and called it a bike lane. Those of us familiar with what is actually safe like to call them “the door prize zone”. And avoiding it is actually a very good idea, as about a year later, in broad daylight, a cyclist was doored by a motorist, knocked off her bike, and was run over by the rear wheels of an MBTA bus. The crash was fatal.Now in Massachusetts, like almost every place, bike lanes are a “may use” not a “must use”. Think of it like a car pool lane on the highway. Have enough butts in the seats, and you get to use it. But you are also free to use the other lanes. Bike lanes work the same way.Anyhow, I was in the right traffic lane. It was after dark, I had the required headlight, rear reflector, and an active rear light as well. Traffic was as usual, heavy, and we were stopping at every light. I was keeping up with traffic, it was the same 3 or 4 cars ahead of me at each light. I wasn’t jumping ahead, or slowing the people behind me. I was just keeping my place in traffic. Just like I would if I were driving a motor vehicle.Behind me it turns out was a police officer. After two light cycles, he apparently got annoyed with the idea of a bicycle ahead of him, and pulled me over, and issued me a citation for “failure to use the bike lane”. It had to be hand-written (they had a form that had things like riding on the sidewalk and fail to stop check boxes; it also had random things like not taking trash cans in, and my favorite, car alarm failure to automatically shut off, which had a $300 fine).What made it particularly poignant was that while they were fiddling with me, we were passed by two cyclists that were actually causing real risks, riding against traffic, and without a headlight. They didn’t bat an eye.Well, I sent the sergeant in charge of the bicycle-mounted unit an e-mail about what happened. He promised to educate the officers again at their daily muster, but told me that I would have to appeal the fine—they aren’t allowed to revoke a citation once logged into the system.So I request the appeal, and show up. While it takes place at the courthouse, it’s in front of a magistrate, not a judge, and the police send a representative, not the officer that wrote the citation. Having a premonition, I showed up with a printout of the various statutes, both the “may” use, and the one where the legislature specifically prohibits towns, etc., from changing the traffic statutes.Needless to say neither person opposite me had a clue about the actual laws. So I freely admitted to not using the bike lane. “So why did you appeal”. “Because using the traffic lane is legal, I was breaking no laws”, handing over the page with the relevant statute, highlighted. The officer pipes up, “there is a local ordinance”.So I ask for the state home rule petition number for the ordinance, (you have to get the legislature to pass a bill, and get the governor to sign it, before a town can add a local traffic law; in the case of a city bike lane ordinance, if they did pass one, they didn’t clear it with the state). They didn’t understand the question, so I showed them the next page where the highlighted passage said that cities, towns, parks, and… could not extend the traffic law without explicit permission.At which point he said “I still think it’s required, but I can’t prove it, so no fine this time.” I am sure that if I hadn’t been prepared, I would have left $20 poorer. And that the next time, he will make the same claims. And given the way they set it up, there was no possibility of appeal.The next time was on one of the former MDC “parkways”, roads adjacent to the Charles River that were under the control of a park commission. They are patrolled by state police, not the town which they pass through. It’s basically the survivor of a 50’s era patronage boondoggle. Well they don’t want cyclists using “their” roads. It’s a nice Sunday afternoon, I am again riding along, in the very narrow right lane, on our tandem trike. The speed limit on that stretch varies between 25 near intersections, and 35 when past them. It has a sidewalk on one side, 3 traffic lights, and several driveways on the sidewalk side.Our trike is a wide machine, a full meter at the locknuts, but the lanes are narrow enough that even if I were on two wheels, there isn’t room for a car to pass safely unless it changes lanes. There is no shoulder, just a hard curb. It’s a commuter corridor during the week, they want to cram as many cars down it as they can manage, it’s striped as two 7-foot-wide lanes each direction, marked no trucks, enforced by a couple of underpasses with 9’ clearances. So there we were, cruising along, minding our own business, when a large brown sedan passes us, and cuts us off, forcing us into the curb. It’s an unmarked cruiser, and the officer is annoyed with me, as I didn’t notice his lights and pull over. I was given two choices, the move to sidewalk, against traffic, or jail. After collecting name and badge number, as Susan was about to have a full blown anxiety attack, I acquiesced. Needless to say I submitted a written complaint to his captain the next day.About 3 weeks later the captain called to tell me I was mistaken, bicycles were prohibited, and it wasn’t safe to ride there, as the motorists ignore the speed limit, and they can’t pull them over. When I finally got him to stop, and let me speak, I pointed out that his officer had no problem driving me into the curb, and blocking the lane while he chewed me out, and it somehow seemed wrong that they would endanger a legal road user, and threaten arrest, while they were unwilling to do anything about the actual lawbreakers.. If they were truly concerned about the safety of a particular road user, they would start enforcing the existing speed limits. I also told him that cyclists are legal road users, and that the agency’s regulation banning them had been voided by a court 15 years prior. (And their appeal was denied).I told him I expected to have the actual statutes explained to the officers, and that the officer send a written apology to Susan for scaring her, with a copy to the officer’s personnel file. Ignorance of traffic law is inexcusable in someone whose sole duty is traffic enforcement, and that I considered how he effected the stop to constitute an excessive use of force. I sent a letter confirming our conversation the next day. I got the return receipt but the apology never came.The cycling community later managed to get a bill signed by the governor that basically required the cops to learn the actual laws, not the ones they think exist.

I think its can help youBlasting air at up to 185 mph, leaf blowers can whip up hazardous particles and contaminants from the ground at speeds greater than a Category 5 hurricane, sending them long distances.Epidemiological studies have long recognized the harm these particles — including hydrocarbons from gasoline, animal droppings, spores, fungi, pollens, pesticides and herbicides, fertilizers, brake-lining dust and tire residue and heavy metals — cause to people's respiratory systems, according to Bay Area Air Quality Management District reports.Exposure to particulate matter is rarely, if ever, cited as the cause of death in a coroner's report when someone dies of a heart attack or stroke or lung disease, a 2012 district study noted. "However, epidemiological studies indicate that exposure to particulate matter is an important contributing factor in hundreds, perhaps thousands, of deaths in the Bay Area each year."The district has called particulate matter "the air pollutant that poses by far the greatest health risk to Bay Area residents."The average adult inhales 450 cubic centimeters (roughly one pint) of air per breath, which includes 1 million to 10 million tiny particles with each breath."But that figure can spike to much higher levels in close proximity to high-volume roadways or other major outdoor emission sources," the district's "Bay Area 2010 Clean Air Plan" noted.The contribution of leaf blowers to air pollution isn't to be underestimated. About 5 pounds of particulate matter per leaf blower per hour are swept into the air and take hours to settle, according to a widely cited leaf-blower pollution report by the Orange County, California grand jury in 1999.An Air District program aimed at replacing up to 50,000 leaf blowers and 10,000 lawn mowers by 2020 would reduce the most dangerous small-particle emissions (sized 2.5 and 10 microns) by 0.12 tons (240 pounds) per day, according to the 2010 Clean Air Plan.Fine particles measuring 2.5 microns and coarser material measuring 10 microns are more readily absorbed into the lungs. The smaller 2.5-micron particles are associated with hazardous organic compounds and heavy metals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.). Particles measuring 10 microns are typically composed of smoke, dirt, dust, mold, spores and pollen.Particulates in the 2.5-micron range can migrate many hundreds of miles and stay the air for days or weeks; 10-micron particles can travel up to 30 miles and stay aloft for hours, according the U.S. E.P.A.Besides what they kick up off the ground, gas-powered leaf blowers themselves emit specific pollutants the State of California has identified as of concern: hydrocarbons from both burned and unburned fuel, which combine with other gases to form ozone; carbon monoxide; and toxic contaminants such as benzene, 1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, according to a widely quoted 2000 California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board report.The Air Quality District in 2010 estimated there were approximately 258,000 two-stroke leaf blowers in the Bay Area, which generate significantly more air pollution than four-stroke engines.Testing in 2011 by the vehicle reviewer New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing | Edmunds showed just how dirty leaf blowers remain, even 11 years after new emission standards for blowers went into effect.Pitting leaf blowers against a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor crew cab, the leaf blowers were the big dogs when it came to spewing non-methane hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide — the three pollutants that the EPA and the California Air Resources Board find most concerning.The two-stroke blower generated 23 times the carbon monoxide and nearly 300 times more non-methane hydrocarbons as the truck."To equate the hydrocarbon emissions of about a half-hour of yard work with this two-stroke leaf blower, you'd have to drive a Raptor for 3,887 miles, or the distance from northern Texas to Anchorage, Alaska," the article noted.Officials from local lung-health organizations said the contribution of leaf blowers to pollution can't be ignored."It should be of great concern," said Lynn Smith, interim executive director of Breathe California of the Bay Area, also noting the huge discrepancy between leaf blower and car emissions.Various arguments have been made by some environmental groups that blowers should be entirely banned in favor of a return to old-fashioned brooms and rakes.A 1999 study by the University of California Riverside and San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District, the first of its kind, attempted to quantify the differences. Leaf blowers produced about 30 milligrams per square meter of 2.5-micron-sized particulates and 80 mg per square meter of 10-micron particles.The results were similar for push brooms used on a concrete surface, probably because of the smoother surface, the researchers found. But using a push broom on asphalt produced no 2.5-micron particles and only 20 mg in the 10-micron range.And raking on either surface produced no particulates in either range, the study found.The California Landscape Contractors Association, however, disputes the allegations of the air pollution caused by leaf blowers, calling concerns over air emissions "spurious," according to a 1999 letter from its board of directors that was confirmed as current on July 20."Properly used leaf blowers do not raise inordinate amounts of dust. Rule 403 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District states that 'a person shall not cause or allow the emissions of fugitive dust from any active operation, open storage pile, or disturbed surface area such that the presence of such dust remains visible in the atmosphere beyond the property line of the emission source.' Blower users can and should follow this rule," the letter states.In addition to arguing that emissions standards from the California Air Resources Board implemented in 2000 would significantly reduce emissions from handheld equipment, the association pointed to the intermittent use of blowers."Portable lawn and garden equipment contributes only 0.8 percent of all U.S. VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions, 0.6 percent of carbon monoxide emissions, and no nitrogen oxide emissions."Debates over air pollution aside, there's also noise — perhaps the most evident pollution caused by leaf blowers. The City of Palo Alto requires leaf blowers to emit no more than 65 decibels, when measured from 50 feet away.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that decibel levels above 85 cause permanent hearing loss. The World Health Organization recommends a general outdoor noise level of 55 decibels or less and 45 or less for sleeping restfully.Excessive noise has been implicated in higher heart-attack rates, gastrointestinal disturbances, sleep problems, social discord and psychological problems, according to the U.S. E.P.A.Ironically, metal rakes aren't much quieter, though the sound is less constant: The City of Palo Alto noted in a 2005 report that metal rakes used on concrete can generate 58-60 decibels at 50 feet.When it comes to encouraging gardeners to forego their gas-powered machines, one air quality district in southern California has had significant success with its leaf blower exchange. The South Coast Air Quality Management District, which covers Orange County, urban Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside, has held a leaf blower buy-back program since 2006 for professional gardeners. In that time, the district has put more than 12,000 reduced-noise and lower-emissions leaf blowers in the hands of professional gardeners.The agency distributes about 1,500 new leaf blowers annually, said spokesman Sam Atwood."According to the E.P.A., a commercial blower emits 93 pounds per year of air pollutants. Multiplied out times 12,000, the units we have distributed have reduced 500 tons of pollutants since 2006," he said.So far, the district has distributed cleaner blowers manufactured by the company Stihl. The company has supplied trainings at the exchanges. Operators learn to use the blower like a broom, rolling the debris from one area to another where it can be collected, rather than blasting it in a cloud of dust, he said.The district helped support the development of backpack electric leaf blowers, which are just now becoming commercially available, he said. Atwood said the district hopes that it will get at least one proposal this year for a truly zero-emission, battery-powered leaf blower as part of its request for proposals."In demos, they seem to work very well, equal at least to a gas-powered blower. But it's a little premature to say how they will compare in the field to their gasoline counterparts," he said.For its part, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District is running a program to fund the purchase of new, battery-powered, zero-emission electric lawn and garden equipment in exchange for gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment. The program is currently only operating in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, however.2nd PART:yes,its harmfulThe use of leaf blowers is harmful to our community as they emit a disturbing sound, pose multiple hazards to the health of the individuals in our community, and are harmful to the environment. They are an unnecessary tool as the same task can be completed with a broom and rake with no adverse effects to the community. Leaf blowers use fossil fuel in place of human effort and muscle, at the expense of our environment. Leaf blowers should be banned within the limits of Monrovia to protect the health and wellbeing of our community.The narrow frequency bandwidth of the noise emitted by leaf blowers, the whine, the pitch, is a particularly disturbing sound. The sounds these machines make regularly provoke people to rage. The constant use and over-use of leaf blowers reduces the productivity of our citizens (many people work at home), disturb sleeping infants and children, and they cause rise in blood pressure, adrenaline, heart rate and nervous stress.The World Health Organization recommends noise levels of 55 decibels or less, 45 decibels to meet sleep criteria. A leaf blower generally measures at least 70-75 decibels at 50 feel away and far higher at close range.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that noise levels over 75 decibels can cause hearing loss and are harmful to human health.According to the California Air Resources Board the types of air pollutants emitted when using a gasoline-powered leaf blower for half an hour are equivalent to those emitted from 440 miles of automobile travel at 30mph average speed. Compared to an average large car, one hour of operation of a leaf blower emits 498 times as much hydrocarbons, 49 times as much particulate matter and 26 times as much carbon monoxide.A Grand Jury convened on the subject of leaf blowers in San Luis Obispo County, CA concluded that:"Considering the evidence... the health hazards citizens are exposed to from two-cycle leaf blowers outweigh the possible benefit they provide." The Grand Jury went on to recommend that all cities within that county initiate a phase out of leaf blowers.Dr Barry Boyd, an oncologist at our own Greenwich Hospital, testified to the Town of Greenwich Board of Health in 2005 that:Air pollution connected with leaf blowers worries him. He believes gasoline powered engines are the reason CT is the number one state in the country in incidences of breast cancer. He stated that one leaf blower, in one hour, pollutes the same amount as 40 cars idling on a lawn. "Connecticut has one of the highest rates of cancer," he said. "It is critical that we eliminate pollution from gasoline-powered engines where we can. Summertime is when Connecticut air is most polluted. A summertime ban on leaf blowers makes sense to me," he told the members.Every doctor affiliated with the Mt. Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center in New York City signed a letter submitted on April 22, 2010 by the Mt. Sinai Hospital supporting proposed restrictions on leaf blowers in Eastchester, NY. The Mt. Sinai team of doctors stated that:"Leaf blowers pose multiple hazards to human health. Children are the most susceptible members of our population to these hazards because they breathe more air per pound of body weight per day than adults and thus inhale more of any pollutants that are thrown into the air by this equipment. Children's vulnerability to the health effects of this equipment is further magnified by the fact that they are passing through the stages of early development, and thus their lungs, ears, eyes, and other organ systems are inherently more sensitive to environmental hazards than the organs of adults."The doctors went on to elaborate in great detail the specific hazards associated with leaf blowers, emphasizing the categories of: airborne pollutants, noise, and eye hazards.The American Lung Association of New York State submitted a letter in 2008 which "commends the towns and villages across the Lower Hudson Valley that took a positive step to protect lung health by passing leaf blower ordinances."June Kaminski, MSN, PhD candidate, studied leaf blowers and published an article entitled "Leaf Blowers Threaten Health." Dr Kaminiski discovered that: "theparticulates spewn into the air by leaf blowers contribute to and aggravate respiratory and allergy problems, as well as add a significant amount of pollution. They also dry and destroy the fragile top soil, hurting the environment." She found that "if landscape contractors [operating leaf blowers] are not protecting their ears with earplugs or earmuffs, they are routinely exosing their ears to sounds above 85 decibels--the level experts agree may threaten hearing over a period of time."Steve Zien, a professional landscaper and Executive Director of Biological Urban Gardening Services (BUGS), an international membership organization of primarily professional landscapers, states:BUGS has opposed the use of leaf blowers for many years for a variety of reasons. There are many hidden costs when utilizing blowers regularly. The leaf blower is perhaps the most over-used and inappropriately used landscape tool. Autumn's tremendous amout of organic debris that requires collection might be considered appropriate use of this tool. However, the weekly routine of blowing abuses the soil and damages landscape plants while the noise creates ill will from neighbors and clients alike.The landscape maintenance industry should join BUGS and take a positive approach to blower bans. Old fahsioned leaf raking can be a renewed service that their business could provide. It could be used as a selling point: no noise and environmentally sound too! Approach it right and they could charge the client an appropriate fee for this service, especially if blowers are banned. This could even become a major selling point for some companies. It could lead to business growth and the hiring of more personnel to mee the demand. Environmentally sound landscapers should be able to turn this kind of legislation into a positive for their businesses, making it work to their benefit.Noise and auditory damageGasoline powered leaf blowers create noise levels of 90-100 decibels at close range, and exceed the EPA's recommended maximum noise level of 80 decibels even at 50 feet. Many Santa Rosa residents in the high density neighborhoods regularly endure the noise of neighbors leaf blowers from less than 50 feet away! Repeated and/or sustained exposure to high noise levels damages the nerve endings in the ears and contributes to loss of hearing and deafness. Children are particularly vulnerable. Doctors at the Mt. Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center have documented the harmful health impact of leaf blowers on children, and have written letters in support of the leaf blower ban we are seeking.The World Health Organization recommends ambient noise levels of 55 decibels or less (Environmental Health Criteria 12: WHO).Noise and mental/emotional distressThe narrow frequency bandwidth of the noise emitted by leaf blowers, the whine, the pitch, is a particularly disturbing sound. The sounds these machines make regularly provoke people to rage. The constant use and over-use of leaf blowers reduces the productivity of our citizens (many people work at home), disturb sleeping infants and children, and they cause rise in blood pressure, adrenaline, heart rate and nervous stress. To put it mildly, they drive people crazy.Noise also degrades our quality of life. It reduces communication. It interferes with our ability to enjoy being outdoors, or taking walks, or working or playing in our own backyards. It is an uncivil and selfish act to subject one's neighbors to a half hour or hour of deafening noise every week in order to have a pristine lawn area.Worker safety and OSHAThe noise levels experienced by the operators of leaf blowers, are dangerous to their ears and can cause permanent hearing loss. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) requires hearing protection for any workers using equipment that generates noise over 85 dB. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) "there is an increasing predictable risk" of hearing damage from noise above 75 dB. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, half the wearers of hearing protectors do not get the expected benefit, due to improper fit or failure to wear them continuously. And many workers do not even wear protection at all. Not surprisingly, there is evidence of unusually high levels of hearing loss in landscape workers. Using leaf blowers commercially may violate OSHA.Breathing the particulate matter stirred up by and the emissions from the leaf blowers is also detrimental to worker health. Many landscape workers in Greenwich are operating leaf blowers a large part of every day, with undeniable adverse effect on their hearing and their lungs.Air pollution and emissions: carcinogensLeaf blowers contribute to smog and ozone pollution, a problem particularly in the warm months (which is the season we are seeking to ban their use). The inefficient two stroke engine on a leaf blower often releases as much as 25% of its raw, unburned gasoline in its exhaust, according to studies by the Air Resources Board of the CA EPA. The exhaust contains unacceptable levels of harmful hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen, both pollutants which contribute to smog and other health problems.Reducing the use of leaf blowers helps reduce levels of ozone, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter as regulated by the Clean Air Act. When the City of Los Angeles reduced the number of leaf blowers operating in the LA area by 1,500 it was estimated to eliminate up to 14 tons of harmful emissions annually.Among the substances blown into the air and respired are heavy metals, pesticides, and other carcinogenic substances. In addition, the exhaust from the two stroke engine also contains benzene and other carcinogens.Dr. Barry Boyd, a Greenwich Hospital oncologist has informed the member of the Greenwich Board of Health that:Air pollution connected with leaf blowers worries him. He believes gasoline powered engines are the reason CT is the number one state in the country in incidences of breast cancer. He stated that one leaf blower, in one hour, pollutes the same amount as 40 cars idling on a lawn. "Connecticut has one of the highest rates of cancer," he said. "It is critical that we eliminate pollution from gasoline-powered engines where we can. Summertime is when Connecticut air is most polluted. A summertime ban on leaf blowers makes sense to me," he told the members.Particulate matterLeaf blowers are a large contributor to particulate matter in our air, especially in summer, when particulate pollution is at its worst. The high velocity jets in leaf blowers blow into the air many unwanted and toxic elements. Various pollutants include dust, salt, lead, arsenic, mercury and other heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, rodentides, herbicides, fungi, dirt, ash, mold, spores and fecal matter. Approximately 5 pounds of particulate matter per leaf blower per hour are blown into the air and can take hours and even days to settle. These particulates aggravate allergies. They also contribute to cardiac conditions such as arrhythimia and can cause heart attacks. Moreover, they contribute to pulmonary diseases such as bronchitis. Please visit EPA's web site about the health impacts of particulate matter: www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution.A Grand Jury in the Superior Court of California issued findings about the toxicity of leaf blowers and the health hazards associated with them. Contact us for a link to this study.Spread of pulmonary disease, asthma, and allergiesThe dust, pollen, spores and other particulate matter spread by leaf blowers exacerbates asthma, emphysema, and allergies. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable segments of the population and are particularly impacted by the use, and abuse, of leaf blowers in our community. Nine doctors from the Mt. Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center wrote a letter supporting other town's restrictions on leaf blowers because of these and other health concerns. Contact us for a link to this study.Among the particulates thrown into the air by leaf blowers are dried fertilizers, and fecal and urinary matter of animals, including mice and other rodents. These substances have been linked to the spread of various respiratory diseases.Destruction of gardens and landscapes through compaction, dessication and loss of topsoilLeaf blowers blow a concentrated stream of hot air onto plants at 200 mph--higher speed and force than a hurricane. As professional landscaper Steve Zien says: "wind speeds in excess of 180 mph are currently blasting landscapes throughout [the country]. Leaves are ripped from branches, new growth and developing flowers are damaged and precious topsoil is blown away. Nurseries and Extension Agents are receiving more plant samples from gardeners indicating a tornado or hurricane devastated their landscape plants."Winds stress the fragile living material of plants, causing dehydration, burned leaves, and the suspension of photosynthesis and other natural plant functions. Overall growth is also slowed. Natural openings in the leaves that allow for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide are sealed shut. Disease spores laying dormant on the soil or fallen debris are blown back onto plants where a little moisture can renew their cycle of infestation and damage. Blowers effectively distribute disease spores, weed seeds and insect eggs through the landscape and onto neighboring landscapes.Blowers create a disposal problem. Most landscapers do not compost their debris; they put it into sanitary landfill which are being rapidly filled to capacity. The organic material is a gardeners best friend and should remain on site to be recycled back into the landscape.Another hidden cost of leaf blowers is that they deprive flowers, shrubs, and trees of live-giving mulch. Without this natural blanket, erosion, water evaporation and the spread of disease all become problems. Mulch, when not blown away, creates a favorable growing environment for plants and beneficial organisms both above and below ground while adding nutrients to the plants' root zone. When mulch is removed to the compost and renewed annually many soil borne diseases are kept to a minimum.Disturbance of small mammals, birds, and insects, and their habitatNoise, toxic fumes, and hot air blown at hurricane force are all taking a toll on animals and birds in our landscapes. Even beneficial insects like earthworms and bees are being damaged by the assault of the leaf blowers most yards in Greenwich are subjected to. Nests and other habitat are disturbed; animals and birds are driven away by noise. Pollen, sap, and other natural plant substances are desiccated or simply sent airborne. Every living creature in the range of a leaf blower is harmfully impacted.Non-point source water pollutionAnother problem is the common practice of many landscapers to blow debris into the street, or into a neighboring property. When it is pushed into the street it often clogs storm drains and gutters, contributing to inefficient functioning of these drains and to increased flooding and erosion. At other times, the debris enters the drains and moves toxins and other unwanted material into our creeks, rivers and ultimately Long Island Sound, creating a significant new source of non-point source water pollution.The City of Santa Monica, CA forbids the use of leaf blowers because it recognizes the link between the toxic substances, including heavy metals and chemicals, which are pushed into gutters by leaf blowers and which end up in the already polluted Pacific Ocean and the rivers and bays that connect with it in the Santa Monica area.Overall carbon footprint and energy usageLeaf blowers accomplish collection of material inefficiently. They use fossil fuel in place of human effort and muscle, at the expense of our environment. Their two stroke engines use gasoline exceptionally inefficiently, spewing 25% of it unburned into the air through their emissions. Why use an engine to do what your arms can do more efficiently and with no harmful effects to humans, animals, or the environment? Americans are increasing in obesity and becoming more and more sedentary, in part because we no longer do even the simple and rewarding tasks, or tending our own gardens, cutting our grass ourselves, or raking autumn leaves.A University study showed that Americans spill 17 million gallons of gasoline per year refilling lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws and other lawn and garden equipment. That's more than the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Every time a leaf blower is refilled, toxic fumes called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be released into the air. Spilling and overfilling equipment can also result in the release of VOCs. When VOCs react with the sun, ground-level ozone or smog is produced. Ozone can affect not only the lungs, but many other organs and systems of the body. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic illness are the most susceptible. Gasoline spilt on lawns can seep into the groundwater and waterways, affecting drinking water and polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Looking to jump-start your career in Germany but don’t know where to begin? Lucky for you, now is the time because Germany passed The Skilled Immigration Act on June 28th, 2019. This Act makes it easier for skilled professionals to move to and find a job in Germany. Check this article out if you’re wondering if you fall into the “Skilled Professional” category Germany is looking for.Back to my initial question; which, if you're still reading, can be assumed that you are in fact interested in obtaining a job seeker visa. With that being said, I have some great news for you, I went through this exact process, so I can help!You basically have two options to obtain a German job seeker visa:1. You can apply from abroad, or…2. You can apply from within GermanyIf you would like to apply from abroad, you can find the nearest German embassy or consulate here. You can then skip to Step 3 to see what you will need to complete and bring to your appointment.I decided to roll the proverbial dice and move to Germany first, then apply for the visa (I thought this would help my chances of obtaining the visa but have no evidence to back this theory up — I did successfully obtain the job seeker visa).I had been passionate about moving to Germany (Berlin) for quite some time but I was clueless as to where to even begin. After some (a lot) research (good and bad) and the mental challenge of leaving friends, family, and a well-paying job; I finally moved from the United States (Minnesota) to Berlin in April of 2019. In June I applied for and obtained a job seeker visa, allowing me to stay in Berlin, Germany for 6 more months to search for a job.Below the four stages I went through to obtain my job seeker's visa in Germany.Step 1: Entering GermanyTL;DR:If you come from a country that doesn’t need a Schengen Visa to enter Germany, purchase a one-way ticket to Germany and you’re all setIf you’re from a country that does need a Schengen Visa, make sure to apply for one hereIf you don’t know if you need a Schengen Visa to enter Germany, you can check herePhoto cred: Getty ImagesI was lucky enough to come from one of the countries allowed to enter the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days without having to apply for a tourist visa. If you’re one of the unlucky persons whose country does not have this agreement with the EU, then you will need to apply for a tourist visa at the nearest German embassy or consulate in your country. You can find more information on the requirements, process, and application here. It is recommended to apply for Schengen Visa (tourist visa) at least three weeks before your planned departure.Step 2: Setting Up the AppointmentTL;DR:If you need to book an appointment in Berlin, you can book your appointment hereIf you need to book an appointment in another German city, just Google “Auslanderbehörde” + “city name”The alternative to booking an appointment is to queue in a line, which can take hours and is not guaranteed to get you an appointmentYou will receive a confirmation email with where your appointment is and what your appointment number is, print these out and bring to the appointmentAusländerbehörde — Berlin website where I made my appointmentSchedule your appointment early! I would even recommend scheduling it before you leave for Germany. I was lucky when I scheduled my job seeker visa appointment, I was miraculously able to get an appointment within 3 weeks.Side Note: I was not as lucky when I needed an appointment for my Blue Card, if I hadn’t had help from a professional agency, I would have had to wait more than 5 months for my appointment. Luckily the agency helped me get an appointment in 5–6 weeks.If you plan on living in Berlin as I did, you can find information here to book your appointment with the ausländerbehörde. If you are having difficulties finding an appointment slot, you can download a browser extension that auto-refreshes the appointment page to help you look for dropped appointments by other people.If you plan on living in another city within Germany, you should Google “Ausländerbehörde” + “city name.” This will then bring your results for the closest auländerbehöde to your location. Following the website instructions to book your appointment. Once you book your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email, print this out and bring to the appointment as it has the location and appointment number on it.There is one more thing you can do if are not able to book an appointment in time, you can queue in line before the ausländerbehörde opens. You will need to show up extremely early (at least a couple of hours in larger cities) and there is no guarantee you will get an appointment. However, if it's your last option, it's worth a try!Step 3: What You’ll Need for the AppointmentTL;DR:Make sure you have everything on the checklist completedFor a biometric photo, Fotofix=good, photoautomats=badIf you don’t know German, make sure you bring someone with who can speak GermanRequired documents can be found hereMake sure you have everything on the checklist coveredNow to the nitty-gritty! Below is what you will need for your appointment. I highly recommend bringing a translator to your appointment if you do not know German. I hired a translator through a company in Berlin called Expath and only paid €50. Expath is also a great resource for other German related topics you might have questions on.Prerequisites:University QualificationPossession of a qualification from a German Hochschule, an accredited foreign university or university college qualification, or a foreign university or university college qualification comparable to a German Hochschule qualification — You can check here if your university degree qualifies with ZAB (it must be H+). Make sure you print out the page that shows your degree satisfies this prerequisite and bring to your appointment.2. Main residenceYou will need to find a place to live during your time in Germany.3. A personal appointment is requiredNationals of these states can book an appointment online for the interview:Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand and the United States of America.Documents:Valid Passport2. 1 Biometric photoAccording to http://Berlin.de, this is a 35mm x 45mm photo, frontal shot with neutral facial expression and closed mouth, looking straight into the camera, light background. If you’re moving to Berlin, there are booths all over the city where you can get these. Just make sure the booths say “Fotofix” and that they take official passport photos (it will say it on the booth). There are other general photo booths called “photoautomats” around the city that I thought satisfied this requirement….they don't.3. University or university college qualification (original and copy) and certificationsThis is in addition to the evaluation/statement of the ZAB if applicable (see ‘Prerequisites’). Also, if you have job-related certifications, bring those to bolster your case.4. Health insuranceTravelers’ health insurance will satisfy this requirement. I went through a company called Mawista and was happy with them. I selected the “Expat Care” package which was €59 per month.4. Proof of Secure LivelihoodYou need to have bank statements printed out to show that you have enough money to support yourself for the next 6 months. The minimum you will need is €720 per month or €4.320 for 6 months. Having lived in Germany since April, I can guarantee you that you will need more. I would plan for at least €1.200 per month, or €7.200. Again, this all depends on how you are with your money and which city you move to, but to be on the safe side I would bring more than the German recommended amount.5. The form “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels” (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit)A residence permit may only be issued upon formal request so you will need to complete the formal request form, you can find this form below.6. Proof of main residence in BerlinCertificate of registration at the main residence or a lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord. WHEN LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY, MAKE SURE YOUR LANDLORD CAN GIVE YOU THE RESPECTIVE FORMS TO GET AN ANMELDUNG. If they can’t, then you cannot get an Anmeldung, which won’t allow you to get a job seeker visa. Once you find a place to stay, you will need an anmeldung (meaning — register your address) to satisfy this requirement and you will need to register for an anmeldung at the bürgeramt, within 14 days of finding a new residence. At your anmeldung appointment, you will receive your anmeldebestätigung, keep this and bring to your visa appointment.You will also receive your tax-id in the mail a couple of weeks later, or better known as a steueridentifikationsnummer, in German. While this tax-id isn’t necessary for your visa. bring it just in case. This is a nice introduction to German bureaucracy to test you for the real thing at the auländerbehörde.If your moving to Berlin, these forms can be found here…Formsthe form “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) — in German, English, French, Italianthe form “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels” (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) — in German, Greek, Turkish, Serbo-Croatianthe form “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels” (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) — in German, Spanish, Portuguese, RussianYou can view the entire list of prerequisites and documents in detail here.Common misconceptions:I will need to write a motivation letter — This is false. It was not required that I had to write one. What I would do is have a plan for how you are going to find a job in Germany (LinkedIn, job boards, etc.) and if they ask you, tell the plan to them.I need my birth certificate — This is false. I did not need my birth certificate for my meeting, I even specifically asked when I was at the appointment and they said no.Step 4: The AppointmentTL;DR:Make sure you bring your appointment number with you, this will come in your confirmation email you received when booking the appointmentShow up 10–15 minutes earlyMake sure to bring cash (at least €56) or debit card (Girocard with PIN)Picture credit goes to All About BerlinI didn't sleep much the night before, but that was probably because I did not have a plan B if I didn't get the visa. Well, I sort of had a plan B; my plan was to fly to Tbilisi, Georgia and figure out what was next for me. Anyhow, things went off without a hitch and everything worked out. If you satisfy all the above requirements, you will do just fine!Judgment day! Dress somewhat nice and make sure you show up at least 10–15 minutes early as navigating the ausländerbehörde can potentially be confusing. Showing up this early will also allow you to meet with your translator beforehand if you arranged for one.Make sure you have your appointment number, as there will be an electronic board that displays the queue order. Once it is your turn, the display will show your number. You will then proceed to the room where you will sit down to answer a few questions and to give the ausländerbehörde employee your completed forms and necessary paperwork. If you don't know German, I would recommend remembering the following phrase in German:“Hallo, es tut mir leid, aber mein Deutsch ist nicht gut. Ich habe einen Übersetzer mitgebracht.”After they have what they need from you, they will ask you to leave the room. After about 20 minutes of waiting in the waiting room, they will call you back into the office. This signals that they have made a decision.They will then put a sticker and stamp in your passport, which is when you will know that you are staying in Germany for up to 6 months to find a job! If they don’t give you a stamp, it's not the end of the world. They will most likely tell you why they didn't give you the visa and will allow you to re-apply at a later date.That doesn't sound too bad, does it? Are you ready to make the move? What are you waiting for!?This may seem like a huge mountain to overcome but believe me, it is not. The most difficult thing for me was not having anyone to bounce questions off of, so if you have any further questions — please ask away.