This morning, at around 7:30 a.m., I emerged from the local Stop and Shop only to walk into an army of eight gas-powered leaf blowers headed my way, spewing smoke, creating a noxious smell, kicking up the dust, and generating a deafening noise. Aggravating the affront was the fact that there were virtually no leaves at all in the parking lot. It was a completely mindless and useless exercise.

If we are serious about combating the negative effects of climate change, which one would hope and imagine a coastal town like Madison ought to be, then surely it is about time to ban these offensive, polluting, and unnecessary pieces of equipment. I can only hope that our selectmen will take up the issue in the near future.

Roger Caplan

Madison