Mailbag:

When I was 12 or 13 years old, I used to drag an old push lawn mower around my north Costa Mesa housing tract, stopping at homes that obviously needed their lawns mowed. By the standards of the present city law, I guess that makes me a criminal guilty of soliciting work (“Police sweep spurs lawsuit,” Feb. 3). Our wise city leaders shot themselves in the foot when they closed the Job Center at 17th Street and Placentia Avenue. The center gave those seeking employment a place to legally look for work, and those who needed workers a consistent location to find help.

The city should solve the problem and reconsider that approach. It works for Long Beach, Laguna Beach and many other local communities.

William Dunlap

Costa Mesa

Leaf blowers are hazardous to health

Jeanne Broadway is possibly hard of hearing (“Writer is full of hot air herself,” Feb. 4). Even so, she ought to be aware that leaf blowers can cause tinnitus and air pollution, which have been associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. That’s why most gardeners wear earplugs and nasal/mouth protectors.

It is also why most cities, including Los Angeles and Newport Beach, have ordinances regulating decibels allowed on leaf blowers or outlawing them entirely.

Usually when they are too loud I place my fingers in my ears; experienced gardeners are aware of what that means and graciously turn the noise down.

More education would help, as would some enforcement of the regulations.

Iryne Black

Newport Beach

Kids, skateboards don’t compare to blowers

I agree with Carole Wade’s letter 100% (“Leaf blowers need to be banned,” Feb. 3). Jeanne Broadway’s letter does not have a valid argument (“Writer is full of hot air herself,” Feb. 4).

What do kids, skateboards, sprinklers, games and dogs have to do with continuous noise every day, which is not needed and creates health problems for us and the blowers. ... Other cities have banned them. Why can’t we?

Darlene Letnes