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| Cell tower a breach of public trust |
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| Guest Opinion - Dumas |
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I've spent the past 20 years improving my home and grounds, inch-by-inch, penny-by-penny. I've grown to love my location and neighborhood. It's been a healthy place to be: clean air, good water, minimal noise and a central base for my outdoor activities. The quality of my life has been priceless.
That was before the cell tower. At age 62, I decided to retire this year and use the freedom of my days to thoroughly enjoy my home, yard and environs.
That was before the cell tower. Toward the end of summer I was vaguely aware of a low-profile "something" being built on the Billy Wikoff property just beyond my west side neighbors. However, it wasn't until early fall that my new neighbor came to tell me that the new construction was the base for a 200-foot cell tower -- a look of absolute horror on his face. I felt a sick dread wash over me. As the alarm spread, all the neighbors were in dazed shock because we were all cognizant of the international health concerns related to cell towers. How could this be happening to our lovely, serene neighborhood? Almost overnight, Mayor Walker and the city councilors have changed the way we view our world. They have demonstrated complete disregard and disdain for the fact that we love our homes and neighborhood with its lawns and flowers, kids and pets, shade trees and conversation, bird feeders and lawn chairs, wood piles and sunsets.
In 2007, without our knowledge or consent, a building permit was issued to Verizon and with that one vile act our quality of life has been severely compromised. Interestingly, until two of my neighbors contacted Mayor Walker in September and a neighborhood contingent presented a protest letter to the council on Nov. 3, none of our elected officials seemed to know the issued permit was for a cell tower! How 'bout that for accountability? Furthermore, they stated that our right to be informed was a moot point because we live next to an industrial zone.
Several years ago, a business owner in the commercial zone was required by the city to get approval from the surrounding property owners before building an addition to his shop -- yet, with a health and property value threat of this magnitude, the cell tower is allowed to proceed without comment because it's in an industrial zone.
During a conference call with Verizon officials on Nov. 6, it was stated that the company's sole Grangeville contact through the permit process was the city clerk. If the clerk is the local authority, why do we elect a mayor and councilors? Aren't the mayor and council supposed to be safeguarding our welfare? Isn't happiness and well-being spelled out in our Constitution?
The city council has acted irresponsibly in allowing this monolithic, aesthetic eyesore with its well-documented health risks, near a vulnerable, unprotected population center. Health risks? Put cancer at the top of the list. Cell tower radiation easily passes through walls, windows and roofs. A 2004 German government study found that people living within 1,300 feet of a cell tower had three times the normal cancer risk. If that isn't enough, consider this: cell tower radiation has been linked to short-term memory loss, extreme fatigue, depression, skin problems, headaches, sleeplessness and other disorders. Additionally, Verizon's tower is designed to withstand 90 mph wind -- which could be a tragic joke where the prevailing, strong prairie winds hit the west side of town first.
As I write this, a monstrous crane is poised to begin lifting the cell tower components into place. Is it so terribly important to have instant, wireless communication that we are willing to sacrifice our health and quality of life? How many other companies will be requesting a tower permit? Verizon's tower is only to serve the Grangeville area (and was originally proposed for China Hill.) Why couldn't it have been located out of town? Why didn't Mr. Wikoff offer his rural property for its siting -- next to his home? The only ones to profit from this will be Verizon and the property owner who will receive a tidy lease fee each month while the rest of us will get a daily dose of radiation. We, the people, did not ask for and we, the people, do not want this blight yet we will pay the consequences. There is something morally wrong with this picture. This is a serious breach of public trust.
Grangeville has been a nice place to live -- until the cell tower.
--Shelley Dumas is a resident of Grangeville.
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