Ann Arbor is right to ban gas-powered leaf blowers
While our federal government makes questionable actions on climate, Ann Arbor is taking much needed steps in the opposite direction.
The city has a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers from June 1 to Sept. 30, with a fine of $100 for violations and increasing for subsequent violations.
According to an emissions test from Edmunds, a Ryobi 4-stroke leaf blower creates 6.8 times as much nitrogen oxide, 13.5 times more carbon monoxide, and 36 times more non-methane hydrocarbons than a 2011 Ford Raptor. These all put people at risk for cardiovascular and respiratory disease. In addition, spills from refueling can seep into the soil, putting our water supply at risk.
There’s also the issue of noise pollution. One leaf blower can generate up to 100 decibels, which can cause hearing damage from prolonged exposure.
I think Ann Arbor is on to something here. The cons outweigh the pros.
Luke Daniels
Rochester
I refuse to engage with CBS
A recent article by Neal Rubin states that CBS corporate will not feel the effect of any boycott of CBS due to recent politically tinged programming changes.
I disagree. The effect won’t come directly from the boycott, but will come from the local affiliate stations which can lose advertising dollars from local businesses due to fewer viewers. If the 6 and 11 o’clock news viewers change to NBC or ABC stations, does that not influence where the local lawyers, automotive dealers and plumbers advertise?
I sat back when The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was cancelled, giving CBS the benefit of the doubt when they claimed it was a monetary decision. The 60 Minutes debacle left no doubt it was political brownnosing.
I’ve removed CBS and Paramount from my program guide and refuse to watch any content.
Patricia Page
Vero Beach, Florida
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: I’m boycotting CBS after ’60 Minutes’ debacle | Opinion
Reporting by Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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