Write a Letter to the Editor
The goal of our letter-writing campaign is to demonstrate and voice community-wide support for the elimination of gas-powered landscaping equipment in Lake Oswego, and to persuade citizens who haven’t thought about the issue to take action.
Letter-writing tips and instructions for submission are below. If you would like more information, please contact Mark Puhlman – mpuhlman@losn.org
Tips for Effective Letters to the Editor
- Bite-size (cannot exceed 250 words)
- Local and personal
- Polite
- One memorable line
Writing Your Letter
- Name the problem – Choose a talking point. For example:
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- Noise impact
- Health risks
- Impact on environment- air quality/insects/birds/soil/plants
- other
-
- Identify possible solution(s)
- Get personal – why is it important to you personally to eliminate gas-powered landscape equipment? What positive actions have you taken personally?
Where to Submit Your Letter
Please submit your letter to
Sample Letters
Dear Editor,
I live in the ___________ neighborhood of Lake Oswego. I’ve been so discouraged by the constant noise and fumes from gas-powered landscape equipment.
The use of gas-powered landscape equipment, especially blowers, is harmful to the people operating it. They produce exhaust fumes with high levels of known carcinogens like benzene, butadiene, formaldehyde and fine particulates that are associated with respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological harm. They send dust into the air that can contain pollen, mold, animal feces, heavy metals and chemicals from herbicides and pesticides. The high decibel, low-frequency noise they generate causes hearing loss. It travels farther and penetrates walls more than higher pitched sounds. In a neighborhood like mine, a single gas-powered leaf blower can negatively impact up to 90 surrounding homes.
Happily, there’s an easy solution. I’ve asked my landscaper to use rakes and brooms. I’ve instructed them to leave the leaves in landscaped areas, where they retain moisture in the soil, decompose to provide nutrients for the trees and plants, act as a springtime weed suppressant, and provide critical habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
If my landscaper needs a power tool, I provide an electric one for them to use, and they’ve been very satisfied. They’re exponentially quieter, cleaner and healthier. Doing so has benefited my landscaper, my neighborhood and the environment.
Sincerely,
(Word count – 226)
Dear Editor,
I live in the _________ neighborhood of Lake Oswego. I switched to electric yard maintenance equipment a few years ago and I’m very happy with the change. I understand that the City of Lake Oswego is also using some electric landscaping equipment and hiring contractors that also use electric equipment. The City of Portland just passed a phased-in ban on gas-powered leaf blowers which is great to see since gas blowers cause so much air and noise pollution. They are harmful for the landscapers, neighborhood, habitat, and wildlife. Gas powered landscaping equipment is a scourge on our tranquility and the environment.
Sincerely,
(Word count 104)