Orinda Residents Not Alone in Battle Against Leaf Blowers

The effort to ban leaf blowers within Orinda city limits is ongoing and, apparently, being closely watched by residents of other Bay Area towns hoping to do the same.

"We have had calls and expressions of support from people in other towns," says Orinda resident Peter Kendall, loosely commissioned leader of the grass roots group "Quiet Orinda."  "In a couple of cases we have been visited by the leaders of similar efforts in other communities.  Everyone seems to be looking for the best way to make it happen."

People following the issue may want to check out this recent story in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, as communities in Marin and Sonoma counties express interest in banning blowers in their cities.

Residents in Sebastopol managed to get the issue before their city council last year - but formal hearings on the divisive topic are not expected until Fall.  Residents in Sonoma have picked up the torch, it seems, and council members there have proven to be sympathetic to their cause.

Sonoma's council members are set to discuss the possibility of restricting - possibly even banning - powered landscaping tools at their meeting Wednesday night.