Every year, my husband and I bag all the fallen leaves in front of our house and a few of our elderly neighbors. My next two neighbors north of me take a leaf blower and blow theirs all into the street. This causes the leaves to blow into mine and our neighbor's yards as cars pass these pile of leaves.
Before I tell the jerky neighbors what I think of them, is blowing leaves out into the street legal?
Legal, clueless. But the practice clogs up the street sweepers and the storm drains.
I believe this is illegal - maybe print out the web page from the city web site and highlight the violation and discreetly place in in their mail slot. otherwise, as they say, fuhgettaboutit.... hard to control everyone's actions. Some 'burbs have outlawed leaf blowers.
Completely illegal. It clogs the storm drains and is specifically outlawed.
It's probably illegal, per Rich G, but I also doubt if you call the city, the city will do anything in a timely manner.
I also do not know about legality... but do know it was stated in Alderman Waguespeck's ward newsletter that the practice should not be done as our street sweepers are not the kind that suck up leaves.
Wow ... I hope the "nanny state" NEVER bans my leaf blower. I use mine all the time. No hand blisters and no back pain and no messy dog droppings all over my rake ;-(. If they ban leaf bloweres, what is next ...snow blowers ?
I use the blower to put the leaves into a large pile and then run the lawn mower over them. It reduces the the pile size ten fold.
As far a illegal, I agree with Rich G. .... but even if it were not..., Common sense should tell you blocking the drainage system with leaves is not a good idea.
Outlawing leaf blowers baffles me. Regulate the behavior (ie: no leaf blowers before 9am or after 10pm), not a handy tool that isn't actually the problem.
Help Street Sweepers! Do not blow leaves into the street in the fall. Leaf piles in the street cause equipment problems and prevent trucks from cleaning your street properly. Dispose of leaves in blue bags—anyone seen dumping leaves in the street can receive a ticket and fine of up to $100.
From the Streets and Sanitation News....turn em in.
Illegal or not,those kind of people are ignorant and not"neighborly".They just care about themselves.They know what they are doing.
"Book Em Danno." Leave Blowing in the Gutters One
How about working with your neighbor. With his awesome leaf blower and your rakes and bags you could work together. Maybe he just wants his yard to look nice too. I appreciate anyone in this neighborhood who actually cares about their property.
if you see someone or even a landscaping service blow leaves into the street, pls take a picture and send it to me. Try to get the address/homeowner or company name as well.
Common sense and liberty. Awesome.
Thanks for all the replies. Here's an update.
One neighbor is a total douche based on things I've seen personally and heard about him . I believe his house is going through foreclosure so he doesn't care.
My other neighbor is around 70 years old and she'll play the senior citizen card to the max and talk about her difficult life. That said, it's still no excuse. I'll talk to her.
But wait, there's more! A totally different neighbor's landscaping service blew the leaves into the street this morning. Next week, I'll get a picture of the landscaping service doing this and call the realtor (house is also going thru foreclosure).
BTW, we have a leaf blower/vacuum. I'd rather rake.
They'll all care if they get fined to the tune of $100.
My other neighbor is around 70 years old and she'll play the senior citizen card to the max and talk about her difficult life. That said, it's still no excuse. I'll talk to her.
You don't sound/seem like a nice a person at all.
Gregory - It may have been blunt, but the bottom line is the woman is breaking the law. No amount of complaining will change that. If she's physically able to rake her leaves into the street, she's probably also able to take the time to bag them.
No doubt she's breaking the law....I was commenting on the tone of the post. I don't know many 70 year old's that play the Senior Citizen card, I do know a few that are around 70 and could actually use a hand and to them I offer assistance.
Leaf blowers are awesome. They make it so easy to get the leaves in a pile. Then raking is a snap.
Gregory - I can't argue with that. The good neighbor thing to do would be to offer to help her bag it all up.
Good answer!
"Every year, my husband and I bag all the fallen leaves in front of our house and a few of our elderly neighbors."
I think the bigger question here is, why are you bagging your elderly neighbors?
They are putting the elderly in bags? I think a call to Alder Abuse is in order. Joe Lake (75)