Letter to the editor: Stop using leaf blowers

Thought this was interesting, since banning these devices is on my platform.

From today's Davis Enterprise:

"

Curb the spread of spring pollen

Airy Krich-Brinton | Davis | May 08, 2010 21:57

Yard owners, please ask your yard maintenance service not to use a leaf blower during March, April and May.

Why? Pollen! Yes, your yard will look sloppy for a while, especially if no one can rake or sweep. But you will be doing allergy and asthma sufferers a public service. The pollen, which caused enough trouble on its way down, will not be sent up again to drift on the wind.

Bikers will not have to shield their faces as they unavoidably sail through the cloud. Kids walking to school will not become coated by it. And you will reduce your energy footprint, especially by not using a gas-powered leaf blower.

If you have a Spanish-speaking yard maintenance service and do not speak Spanish, here it is in Spanish. Clip it out and show them: 'Haga el favor de no usar la maquina que sopla hojas (leaf blower) en marzo, abril o mayo.'

Thank you very much.

Airy Krich-Brinton

Davis

"Something we need in this city"

We had a debate/forum a couple days ago at city hall, sponsored by the League of Women Voters. My favorite part of the Davis Vanguard's story on the debate wasn't anything the Vanguard wrote, but rather a voter's note in the comments section:

E Roberts Musser

05/08/10 - 10:57 AM

...

IMHO, Daniel Watt did very well in this debate. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind, and used a common sense approach by giving specifics, something we need in this city. Very quick on his feet in a debate. He has shown a proven track record of effecting change in city policies, by getting the city to start the process of repealing its own unconstitutional laws. Thus Daniel already has a certain grasp of how to get things done, a surprising turn of events. He's a little rough around the edges, but he reminds me a bit of Lamar Heystek - young, idealistic, a representative for youth in this town (which is sorely needed) and ready to try to do the right thing for Davisites, without being beholden to special interests. Good job, Daniel...

Read more at the People's Vanguard of Davis: "League Candidates Forum Puts Campaign Into Home Stretch."

Banning leaf blowers?

They're noisy. They pollute. They kick up dust, endangering bicyclists, pedestrians, and cars. Gasoline-powered leafblowers are annoying machines that perform a function best left to rakes.

Several residents have asked about banning them. After talking to Davisites, I've come up with a solution based on the experience of Palo Alto, which banned the monstrosities in 2005:

Q. What exactly is banned?
A. Gas-powered leaf blowers may not be used in any residential zones by anyone including residents.

Q. How is "residential area" defined?
A. Residential zones are determined and defined in the Municipal Code.

Click on this link to see the map (use the back button on your browser to return to this page).http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=8188

Q. What kind of leaf blowers may be used and when?
A.

• Residential zones
• Electric leaf blowers (no internal combustion engines) may be used only during the following hours:
  Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm
  Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
  Sundays and Holidays not allowed* (see * below for list of holidays)
• Non – residential zones
• Electric and gas-powered blowers may be used only during the following hours:
  Monday – Friday 8 am – 6 pm
  Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
  Sundays and Holidays not allowed
  

Q. What about City maintenance of parks?
A. City staff will not be using leaf blowers. This will result in less frequent maintenance to the parks and a diminished level of cleanliness since work will be done using rakes/brooms.

If it worked for Palo Alto, it'll work in Davis. When I'm on Council, I'll propose a similar ban.

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pol/news/details.asp?NewsID=671&TargetID=96

Local TV station posts candidate videos

This was fun. Check out more at davismedia.org.

UC Davis School of Law (King Hall) jumps 7 spots in US News rankings

We jumped seven spots today. UC Hastings fell to 42nd. Rankings aren't everything, but they matter.

Scan of the US News law school rankings leaked a day early:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49285543@N07/4518895878/sizes/o/

"Candidate Watts gets victory"

The Davis Vanguard blog posted a piece on my campaign promise to repeal unconstitutional portions of the Davis Municipal Code. After two representatives from the King Hall ACLU spoke at a City Council meeting in March, the city council will apparently comply.

From the Vanguard:

While Davis Columnist Bob Dunning may rate Mr. Watts as having a 22 billion to one shot at the city council, Mr. Watts has achieved what none of the other candidates have achieved to date, he has changed city law or he will if a consent agenda item passed on Tuesday night that introduces an ordinance repealing Section 26.01.010 of the Davis Municipal Code addressing annoying persons on streets and amending Section 26.01.100 addressing obscene language.

Debating the police -- with the police chief

A few days ago, the Davis Chamber of Commerce sponsored a "candidates' forum." A forum resembles a debate, except slightly more boring. David Greenwald at the Davis Vanguard covered it extensively, and the David Enterprise printed a front-page article on the forum.

I said what the others wouldn't. To quote the Vanguard,

Daniel Watts was rough around the edges but clearly the conscience of the group that was willing to take on the tough issue and let the chips fall where they may. He went after unconstitutional city ordinances, the police who he claims harass students and homeless people, city salaries, the firefighters, landlord-tenant disputes, the Davis Model lease, you name it. Said Mr. Watts, "We don't have an advocate for the voiceless on the city council. I intend to be that advocate."

The Chamber asked how we would sustain enrollment in Davis's schools. I explained how we cannot expect young families to return to Davis, where they spent four years as students, if the city mistreats them when they are students.

"No offense to members of the force in attendance," I said, gesturing to Davis Police Chief Landy Black in the front row, "but the police do not have a good relationship with the students."

During the campus protests, the police -- working with the CHP and UCPD -- beat peaceful protesters with clubs. They tased them, then lied about tasing them, then admitted to the lie when they realized they'd been caught on video.

It's unfortunate.