Posted on 09/18/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 18, 2024 - A proposed ban on gas-powered leaf blowers is one step closer to becoming a law in Baltimore.As the debate in the city council continues, some argue the legislation is long overdue - while others say the city doesn't have its priorities right.
If approved, the measure would ban gas-powered leaf blowers and other gas-powered debris removers like them.
Opponents, including some business owners, say that would be the wrong move.
"(A gas-powered leaf blowers is) fast and efficient. A broom would just take too long (to get the job done)," says Chris Pence--a technician at Pro Grass Lawn Care in Timonium that has at least 1500 clients, they say, in Baltimore City.
Pence with blow-back on the ban of gas-powered blowers.
"We're trying to compete in a market where the cost of everything is going up nowadays.And to make tens of thousands of dollars in investment into battery-operated leaf blowers and to not be as efficient it's going to drive cost up.And that's going to get passed on to consumers and that's not what we want to do," said Pence.
Still, the proposal is one step closer to law now with a 10-to-5 vote from the council on Monday to advance the bill.
But other critics argue the council should be focused more on other issues--like crime.
The latest council consideration of the bill comes amid the backdrop of brazen crime continuing outside of City Hall.
In east Baltimore Monday night, officers were physically assaulted by a group of men--with two of the officers sent to the hospital for treatment.The two suspects were arrested.
Minutes before that, someone shot and killed a man in south Baltimore.That suspect remains on the loose.
Plus, the search continues for the suspect who shot and killed a man in Harbor East on Saturday night.
But, Councilman Ryan Dorsey, who represents District 3, is leading the push with supporters at City Hall Monday to ban gas-powered leaf blowers.
"I think we're taking a good step here to move to do what so many other jurisdictions have already done to preserve our health as well as to address the quality of life issue," said Dorsey.
"We should be talking about the crime crisis in the city.People are dying in the street every day.That's a conversation that should be here right now," said Councilman Robert Stokes, who represents District 12.
The final vote on the bill comes at the next city council meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, September 30.