Absolutely ‘Yes’ On The Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban

As an actually-autistic Portlander, I hope that no one drops the ball on this proposal, and that city and county officials withstand the pushback against it. I need this noise to stop.

For what it’s worth, I’ve been able to sit outside a coffee shop here in St. Johns half a block from a guy using an electric one (actually, he was two-fisting a pair of them) and my earplugs were sufficient to make it bearable. I’ve never found a single form of ear protection that blocks the gas-powered machines. There are times earplugs aren’t sufficient even when I am inside my own home.

I don’t always need the world to change wholesale. Sometimes I just need it to meet me halfway. While I’m personally disappointed the full ban won’t enact until 2026, I accept the rationale of giving people more time to transition to new equipment, and I look forward to a more pleasant Portland come 2025.