Blowing In The Wind

 So I think I have resolution about a matter of much hot air: my landscaper's illegal use of gas powered leaf blowers (GPB). A few years ago, the Village of Pinecrest outlawed them, and said we must use Electric Blowers (EB) since they're quieter and less polluting.

Last month, I got a warning, that said next time I was caught it would cost $250 and $500 thereafter. Those are some expensive blow jobs, even by South Beach standards...

I wasted time reaching out to our Mayor, who foisted me (love that "Curb" episode) on the Village Manager Yocie, who recommended 2 companies that use EBs, but it turned out they did not. So before TDay, I wrote a snarky, but kind of nice, email to Yocie, letting her know she sent us on a wild blower chase, and could I just be left alone?

She wrote today: I could not. If I got fined and appealed, I would go to a Magistrate, and "probably lose." Well this rich white guy doesn't like to hear that! She said many folks were buying their own EBs, and keeping them for use by the lawn guys at their houses only, and the one the VOP gardeners use costs only $1500.

But wait! I recalled we're pretty good friends with our commissioner Shannon, who happens to be a stunning lawyer, married to a model handsome lawyer. We met them through Joelle and Kenny -- they repped them on a Chinese drywall case -- and have been to dinner several times. I emailed Shannon.

She called me today, and we had a delightful talk. She said the law grew from Covid times, where people working home were distracted by the noisy blowers. Also, GPBs exceeded Pinecrest's noise level allowance, so they could either raise that, or ditch the GPBs. Since no one wants loud parties allowed in our leafy Village -- they decided to ditch the GPBs.

Shannon and Skip bought one at Home Depot, they keep it charged for their lawn guy, and all works fine. And she said the one they bought cost FAR less than $1500 and works fine. So I wrote to the VOP manager, thanked her for her time, and suggested maybe they email residents to tell them the grace period is over, lest they feel discriminated against like I did -- though I couldn't figure out any protected class I belong to.

And then Shannon told me she was running for mayor. Great. Now this WILL cost us, since Wifey and I will support her candidacy -- truth is, she's VERY smart, charming, attractive, and experienced. And...a Democrat -- but not one of the Squad type idiot ones -- one who actually supports Israel and stuff.

We agreed to grab Joelle and Kenny for a 3 couple dinner after our friends return from Asia, and Wifey and I return from our cruise. They're fine company, and we can discuss her race to alcalde (she's also completely bi-lingual -- has Hispanic background, I recall).

So this latest brouhaha (Wifey loves that word) seems to be over. We'll ask Pedro (his real name) to pick an EB out and have it for his use. We comply with the law, Pedro saves on gas...all win.

Speaking of house issues -- the roof company is due to start on our new roof in the coming weeks. They tell me it will take 3-4 weeks. We're changing the look of Villa Wifey from Nouveau Mediterranean to Key West Cottage -- a yellow house with a gray metal roof. I care most about no more maintainence -- hopefully that's the result. And with a new roof, I can get a fire insurance policy again. Yay -- more premium payments.

Ah -- First World problems...