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Michael Cacciotti has long been among those choosing to go green, recognizing the importance of maintaining a healthy natural environment is not only good for the planet, but also a person’s general well-being.
And the South Pasadena mayor hopes others will go down the same path, saying: “We can all do our part,” he insists.
He moves about his day on bike or in an electric car, was at the forefront of the city’s battery-powered movement on lawn and garden maintenance in local parks, and pushed strongly to help enact an ordinance that goes into effect October 1 banning the use of gas-operated leaf-blowers by independent gardeners and South Pasadena residents.
“The elimination of this type of gas leaf-blowers in exchange for a clean, non-polluting and quieter models will be a benefit for the physical and mental health of our community, along with the workers, who may not know that what they’re currently using are toxic and unhealthy,” explained Cacciotti, recognizing that many welcome the change the new ordinance will bring. “In addition, people are just ready to explode and can’t take the noise of gas-powered leaf-blowers anymore.”
While going green might feel like a trend to some, it’s more of a lifestyle for many, including Cacciotti, who will go the extra mile to help save the planet. As a board member for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, last Friday he took in the agency’s Clean Air Technology Showcase, featuring the latest low emission trucks, buses, shuttles forklifts and other vehicles and equipment displayed in the agency’s parking lot.
“Many vehicles and technologies showcased were funded, developed and demonstrated through AQMD,” said Cacciotti.
On display were all-electric school buses, heavy-duty trucks, an excavator, commercial electric lawn and garden equipment and more.
“This is all in an effort to reduce air pollution and environmental toxins that affect our immune systems that fight infections that could expose us to diseases and fatal illnesses,” Cacciotti said.
Invitations for the technology showcase went out to mayors, councilmembers, city managers and city clerks throughout the region “with the idea that when they look at their budgets for 2022-23 hopefully they will consider electric equipment and vehicles over traditional gas-powered models because there are other alternatives available,” said the mayor. “The clean-air technology showcase was designed so they could do more than just kick the tires, but also learn more about incentive funding for purchasing zero emission trucks, buses, and lawn equipment.”
In his effort to make the earth eco-friendly, Cacciotti continues to discover multiple benefits and options “for all of us to purchase electric, clean burning, zero pollution vehicles and equipment, all to improve our health and extend our lives” he said. “But to be successful, we all need to pitch in and do our part.”
