Comments on: Cell Towers and Antennas, Can T-Mobile Do This to Your Community Too? http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/ A Community Fighting to Keep Cell Companies from Transforming Water Towers into Cell Towers Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:30:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: bryan tjomsland http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-166 bryan tjomsland Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:14:19 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-166 Lisa, The citizens of Blanco Park, in Culver City California just became the newest members of the 'T-Mobile' nightmare club. This phone company and a local office supply Cash'n'Carry have used a sneaky tactic of submitting their 'Official Notice' on a weekend preceding the Christmas holiday to minimize their '15 day public comment period' in the hopes the community might just miss their one chance to address the City Council, the next business day! Their intent is to place their antennas at the top of an already oversized eyesore building directly adjacent to homes and within a few hundred feet of a grammar school! How creepy is this company! Citizens showed up to the council meeting in force and the council seems sympathetic. Follow our 'T-Mobil' nightmare at www.stopsawtelletower.com Lisa,
The citizens of Blanco Park, in Culver City California just became the newest members of the ‘T-Mobile’ nightmare club. This phone company and a local office supply Cash’n'Carry have used a sneaky tactic of submitting their ‘Official Notice’ on a weekend preceding the Christmas holiday to minimize their ‘15 day public comment period’ in the hopes the community might just miss their one chance to address the City Council, the next business day!

Their intent is to place their antennas at the top of an already oversized eyesore building directly adjacent to homes and within a few hundred feet of a grammar school! How creepy is this company!

Citizens showed up to the council meeting in force and the council seems sympathetic. Follow our ‘T-Mobil’ nightmare at www.stopsawtelletower.com

]]> By: Cecilia Harrison http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-111 Cecilia Harrison Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:46:06 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-111 Dear Lisa, T-Mobile is trying to come into our neighborhood in Bradenton Florida which is highly residential and has 2 schools within 1/4 of a mile from the proposed tower site. Do you have any advice on how to fight this? This was the first meeting that we had heard of these plans, now they are applying to the county to erect it. Very very concerned over health risks. Please advise. Cecilia Harrison Dear Lisa,

T-Mobile is trying to come into our neighborhood in Bradenton Florida which is highly residential and has 2 schools within 1/4 of a mile from the proposed tower site. Do you have any advice on how to fight this? This was the first meeting that we had heard of these plans, now they are applying to the county to erect it.
Very very concerned over health risks. Please advise.
Cecilia Harrison

]]> By: Lisa Hayden http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-59 Lisa Hayden Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:19:51 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-59 I applaud the Brandon farms Condominium Association for the hard stand they have taken on this issue. The realize that they don't have to listen to Federal Acts that were lobbied for with millions of dollars. They can address that there is more work and research to be done potential health risks and that our community should not be part of it! Thank you, I know it's hard to make a resolution, but the unanimous vote speaks volumes for the character of your board. Lisa Hayden I applaud the Brandon farms Condominium Association for the hard stand they have taken on this issue. The realize that they don’t have to listen to Federal Acts that were lobbied for with millions of dollars. They can address that there is more work and research to be done potential health risks and that our community should not be part of it!
Thank you, I know it’s hard to make a resolution, but the unanimous vote speaks volumes for the character of your board.

Lisa Hayden

]]> By: Bruce Gunther http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-56 Bruce Gunther Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:59:59 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-56 <p>Following is a resolution that the Board of Directors of the Brandon Farm Condo Association has approved unanimously<br /> by an email vote on 1/8/08 and will memorialize at our next regularly scheduled meeting (1/17/08).<br /> Speaking for myself I believe this is much more than a question of the science of the dangers of cell emissions (although the long term affects are not know because this is new technology ). It is a question of our neighbors asking for help, help in protecting their children,and help in protecting their homes.<br /> As a community we can turn away and say it doesn't effect me. But I for one strongly believe that when someone asks for help you don't turn your back on them or try to find reasons why you can't. What you do is to see how and if you can help.<br /> This is a great community and I and my family love living here. Now let's truly come together as a community.<br /> Following is a show of support by five members of this community for the health ,and safety of all of our neighbors.</p> <p>Resolution<br /> Resolution Supporting the Neighbors Throughout Brandon Farms Community In Their Effort To Stop T-Mobile From Locating a Cell Phone Antenna in A Residential Area<br /> Brandon Farms Condominium Association</p> <p>Approved by the Board on (Date) </p> <p>First reading by (1/8/08)<br /> Effective Date: (1/24/08) </p> <p>WHEREAS, Brandon Farms is a community serving many types of residential needs (age restrictive, condominiums, single family homes, and affordable housing), and also has one of the Townships four elementary schools located<br /> within its boundaries (Stony Brook)<br /> .<br /> WHEREAS, the Township of Hopewell has allowed T-Mobile to locate a cell phone antenna on a water tower within a residential community less then 200 feet from<br /> residents homes, and less then 800 feet from Stony Brook. </p> <p>WHEREAS, the science of the long range effects of this radiation on our children and older residents has yet to be done, and such science is as suspect as the science that said C.A.T. scans were no problem and drugs for pain would not<br /> cause heart attacks. </p> <p>WHEREAS, we are all neighbors and should act as one when our health or safety are involved.</p> <p>THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Brandon Farms Condominium Association’s Board of Directors strongly urge both the Township and T-Mobile to reconsider locating the cell phone antenna within the boundaries of our Community. Be it further resolved that we will support any effort by homeowners to stop this affront to our community.</p> Following is a resolution that the Board of Directors of the Brandon Farm Condo Association has approved unanimously
by an email vote on 1/8/08 and will memorialize at our next regularly scheduled meeting (1/17/08).
Speaking for myself I believe this is much more than a question of the science of the dangers of cell emissions (although the long term affects are not know because this is new technology ). It is a question of our neighbors asking for help, help in protecting their children,and help in protecting their homes.
As a community we can turn away and say it doesn’t effect me. But I for one strongly believe that when someone asks for help you don’t turn your back on them or try to find reasons why you can’t. What you do is to see how and if you can help.
This is a great community and I and my family love living here. Now let’s truly come together as a community.
Following is a show of support by five members of this community for the health ,and safety of all of our neighbors.

Resolution
Resolution Supporting the Neighbors Throughout Brandon Farms Community In Their Effort To Stop T-Mobile From Locating a Cell Phone Antenna in A Residential Area
Brandon Farms Condominium Association

Approved by the Board on (Date)

First reading by (1/8/08)
Effective Date: (1/24/08)

WHEREAS, Brandon Farms is a community serving many types of residential needs (age restrictive, condominiums, single family homes, and affordable housing), and also has one of the Townships four elementary schools located
within its boundaries (Stony Brook)
.
WHEREAS, the Township of Hopewell has allowed T-Mobile to locate a cell phone antenna on a water tower within a residential community less then 200 feet from
residents homes, and less then 800 feet from Stony Brook.

WHEREAS, the science of the long range effects of this radiation on our children and older residents has yet to be done, and such science is as suspect as the science that said C.A.T. scans were no problem and drugs for pain would not
cause heart attacks.

WHEREAS, we are all neighbors and should act as one when our health or safety are involved.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Brandon Farms Condominium Association’s Board of Directors strongly urge both the Township and T-Mobile to reconsider locating the cell phone antenna within the boundaries of our Community. Be it further resolved that we will support any effort by homeowners to stop this affront to our community.

]]> By: Chris T. http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-37 Chris T. Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:54:35 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-37 FYI, detailed information regarding our plight has been sent out to: CBS Evening News ABC News NBC News New York's "7 On Your Side" New York's "Shame On You" The Oprah Winfrey Show The Ellen DeGeneres Show The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Let's make some noise. FYI, detailed information regarding our plight has been sent out to:

CBS Evening News
ABC News
NBC News
New York’s “7 On Your Side”
New York’s “Shame On You”
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Let’s make some noise.

]]> By: Bill Crerand http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-36 Bill Crerand Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:13:23 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-36 Good Corporate Citizen? Most large corporations support local schools and have an active role in the communities in which they serve. The water tower is located in a densely populated residential community and is in close proximity to Stony Brook Elementary school. T-Mobile, is this your idea of being a good corporate citizen? Clearly the residents of Brandon Farms do not want cell antennas placed on the water tower and even the soon to be owner of the water tower (American Water) does not want cell antennas installed on their water towers. Therefore, why continue pursuing this location when there are other options? Others have mentioned co-locating with other cell companies (e.g. Verizon and AT&T) that have excellent service in our community and they have avoided putting cell antennas in Brandon Farms. T-Mobile, I implore you to do the right thing and to listen to the customers that you are trying to serve. Find another location for your cell tower! Good Corporate Citizen? Most large corporations support local schools and have an active role in the communities in which they serve. The water tower is located in a densely populated residential community and is in close proximity to Stony Brook Elementary school. T-Mobile, is this your idea of being a good corporate citizen? Clearly the residents of Brandon Farms do not want cell antennas placed on the water tower and even the soon to be owner of the water tower (American Water) does not want cell antennas installed on their water towers. Therefore, why continue pursuing this location when there are other options? Others have mentioned co-locating with other cell companies (e.g. Verizon and AT&T) that have excellent service in our community and they have avoided putting cell antennas in Brandon Farms. T-Mobile, I implore you to do the right thing and to listen to the customers that you are trying to serve. Find another location for your cell tower!

]]> By: Dan http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-35 Dan Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:12:32 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-35 I apologize if this is not a typical Blog response...and please forgive my lack of information in regards to a COW located at Twin Pine Airport, but I still have a few questions that still linger in my mind: 1. Has the Township pursued the COW location at Twin Pine’s Airport aggressively enough? Do we even know if township officials have spoken with the land owner? 2. Are ALL areas in Twin Pine Airport contaminated or is this a “convenient” excuse to avoid the location at this time – for whatever reason(s)? 3. Is the Township/County avoiding "COW dialogue" with the Twin Pine owner because it may hinder any future purchase deals - just a thought? Again, forgive me if I have missed the answers to these questions, but I know that I have not personally heard a response besides that the… “land is contaminated.” Dan I apologize if this is not a typical Blog response…and please forgive my lack of information in regards to a COW located at Twin Pine Airport, but I still have a few questions that still linger in my mind:

1. Has the Township pursued the COW location at Twin Pine’s Airport aggressively enough? Do we even know if township officials have spoken with the land owner?

2. Are ALL areas in Twin Pine Airport contaminated or is this a “convenient” excuse to avoid the location at this time – for whatever reason(s)?

3. Is the Township/County avoiding “COW dialogue” with the Twin Pine owner because it may hinder any future purchase deals - just a thought?

Again, forgive me if I have missed the answers to these questions, but I know that I have not personally heard a response besides that the… “land is contaminated.”

Dan

]]> By: Richard Lee http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-34 Richard Lee Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:23:12 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-34 AT&T uses same GSM technology as T-mobile. Yet, they have found a way to service Brandon Farms, well, without using corporate chicanery and deceit to punish the very customer base that it seeks to tap. Perhaps, bulleying tactics does work - although only maybe for T-mobile. T-mobile being a weak carrier has decided that competition against its rivals are too tough and decided to go the extra miles to subvert the will of the affected people and the spirit of the very law it has decided to misuse. Only the weak plays dirty. T-mobile you are weak clearly demonstrated by your deceit in trying to create a facade of working together. If you contine on this path of destroying our hopes and lifetime work, it will at most be a Pyhric victory. Study what AT&T has done and the alternatives you clearly have. Does T-mobile still wants to proceed with destroying our neighborhood? I really hope not. Mr. Patrick Lamb, do the right thing. If not perhaps our showing up at shareholders' meeting and blasting your CEO about what kind corporate citizenship you have portrayed for T-mobile probably won't go well. Your CEO will be presented all the facts including how AT&T provides great service to our area without destroying our neighborhood; how you have stated that you rather not co-locate - clear intent to bypass the spirit of our township ordinance. Mr. Patrick Lamb, do not make us into fulltime crusader against T-mobile. AT&T uses same GSM technology as T-mobile. Yet, they have found a way to service Brandon Farms, well, without using corporate chicanery and deceit to punish the very customer base that it seeks to tap. Perhaps, bulleying tactics does work - although only maybe for T-mobile.

T-mobile being a weak carrier has decided that competition against its rivals are too tough and decided to go the extra miles to subvert the will of the affected people and the spirit of the very law it has decided to misuse.

Only the weak plays dirty. T-mobile you are weak clearly demonstrated by your deceit in trying to create a facade of working together. If you contine on this path of destroying our hopes and lifetime work, it will at most be a Pyhric victory. Study what AT&T has done and the alternatives you clearly have.

Does T-mobile still wants to proceed with destroying our neighborhood?

I really hope not. Mr. Patrick Lamb, do the right thing. If not perhaps our showing up at shareholders’ meeting and blasting your CEO about what kind corporate citizenship you have portrayed for T-mobile probably won’t go well. Your CEO will be presented all the facts including how AT&T provides great service to our area without destroying our neighborhood; how you have stated that you rather not co-locate - clear intent to bypass the spirit of our township ordinance.

Mr. Patrick Lamb, do not make us into fulltime crusader against T-mobile.

]]> By: Lisa Hayden http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-33 Lisa Hayden Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:59:07 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-33 Bob, Just want to thank you for laying out the time line so clearly. It really spells out how things went down. The bottom line now though is that time is ticking and we need to unite against T-Mobile. They have the wrong picture in their mind, we need to change it! I've said before that I've seen the huge support that I am so grateful for. People who don't even live in Brandon Farms have looked us up to give us information to use to stop this. Let's work together to send the message loud and clear "Cell towers do not belong in densely populated areas where families young and old live." Hang in there together!! Bob,
Just want to thank you for laying out the time line so clearly. It really spells out how things went down. The bottom line now though is that time is ticking and we need to unite against T-Mobile. They have the wrong picture in their mind, we need to change it! I’ve said before that I’ve seen the huge support that I am so grateful for. People who don’t even live in Brandon Farms have looked us up to give us information to use to stop this. Let’s work together to send the message loud and clear “Cell towers do not belong in densely populated areas where families young and old live.”
Hang in there together!!

]]> By: Bob Giangrasso http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-32 Bob Giangrasso Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:56:36 +0000 http://brandonfarmswatertower.com/wordpress/2007/12/20/cell-towers-and-antennas-can-t-mobile-do-this-to-your-community-too/#comment-32 Everyone, I wish to state some facts as they relate to this T-Mobile matter: 1) On October 18, 2007, the Hopewell Township Planning Board, on which sits Mayor and Township Committeewoman Vanessa Sandom and Deputy Mayor and Township Committeeman David Sandahl, voted unanimously to grant two variances to T-Mobile necessary for their plan to install cell antennas at the top of the Trenton Water Works Water Tower located on Henley Place. This use for cell antennas on the water tower was and still is a permitted use under the 2001 Cell Tower Ordinance of Hopewell Township; 2) On November 29, 2007, the Hopewell Township Planning Board voted again unanimously to memorialize their October 18, 2007 decision; 3) On October 25, I, as President of the BFPOA, became aware of the October 18th decision and went down to the Hopewell Township Planning Office because I thought that the land the water tower is on is owned by the BFPOA. However, I found out that the entire property on which the Water Tower is located is owned by Trenton Water Works; 4) Since October 25, 2007, I have been intimately involved with doing whatever can be done to reverse this approved use-opening the POA Clubhouse to 3 meetings on this, reserving the Cafetorium in Stony Brook ES for a community meeting, meeting with Township officials,T-Mobile and concerned residents on where to locate a temporary C.O.W. somewhere in Brandon Farms until Hopewell Township secures the Twin Pines Airport property and o.k. a permanent cell tower to be placed in the woods adjacent to the open fields; 5) In addition to me, other members of the BFPOA Board have been involved in this Quest from the first week in November to now; AT NO TIME HAS THE BFPOA EVER LIED DOWN ON THIS ISSUE; 6) On December 11, 2007, the BFPOA Board voted to meet with T-Mobile to see if the field, known as the Brandon Farms Community Square-bounded by Stephenson, Van Brunt and Denow Roads-would be acceptable to them as a temporary location for the Cell-On-Wheels (C.O.W.); This field is 7.5 acres and there was no location suitable for them. That’s an amazing fact; 7) On December 13, 2007, T-Mobile representatives met with me and our POA Community Manager to look at 6 locations in this field. T-Mobile had several objections to each site and said none of the locations would work; As I have said on several occasions, if we, the BFPOA, owned the land on which the TWW Water Tower exists, T-Mobile would never have gotten the permission to locate cell antennas on the tower. Somehow, T-Mobile found the only spot in the entire Brandon Farms development that is not owned by the Brandon Farms POA. The Brandon Farms POA has stepped up and offered T-Mobile temporary locations but they have not accepted them. It is up to Hopewell Township to use its power here. They are the ones who approved this in the first place. They are the ones who talk about the permanent cell tower in the Twin Pines Airport. They are the ones who will grant T-Mobile its building permit for the Water Tower. It is going to take at least 3 out of the 5 Townsip Committee members to make the Twin Pines Airport happen. We have heard from Vanessa Sandom but where do the other Hopewell Township Committee members, including the soon to-be sworn in new Township Committee members-Jim Burd and Mike Markulec stand on this issue? Everyone,

I wish to state some facts as they relate to this T-Mobile matter:

1) On October 18, 2007, the Hopewell Township Planning Board, on which sits Mayor and Township Committeewoman Vanessa Sandom and Deputy Mayor and Township Committeeman David Sandahl, voted unanimously to grant two variances to T-Mobile necessary for their plan to install cell antennas at the top of the Trenton Water Works Water Tower located on Henley Place. This use for cell antennas on the water tower was and still is a permitted use under the 2001 Cell
Tower Ordinance of Hopewell Township;

2) On November 29, 2007, the Hopewell Township Planning Board voted again
unanimously to memorialize their October 18, 2007 decision;

3) On October 25, I, as President of the BFPOA, became aware of the October 18th
decision and went down to the Hopewell Township Planning Office because I
thought that the land the water tower is on is owned by the BFPOA. However, I
found out that the entire property on which the Water Tower is located is owned by Trenton Water Works;

4) Since October 25, 2007, I have been intimately involved with doing whatever
can be done to reverse this approved use-opening the POA Clubhouse to 3 meetings on this, reserving the Cafetorium in Stony Brook ES for a community
meeting, meeting with Township officials,T-Mobile and concerned residents on
where to locate a temporary C.O.W. somewhere in Brandon Farms until Hopewell Township secures the Twin Pines Airport property and o.k. a permanent cell tower to be placed in the woods adjacent to the open fields;

5) In addition to me, other members of the BFPOA Board have been involved in this
Quest from the first week in November to now; AT NO TIME HAS THE BFPOA EVER LIED DOWN ON THIS ISSUE;

6) On December 11, 2007, the BFPOA Board voted to meet with T-Mobile to see
if the field, known as the Brandon Farms Community Square-bounded by Stephenson, Van Brunt and Denow Roads-would be acceptable to them as a
temporary location for the Cell-On-Wheels (C.O.W.); This field is 7.5 acres and there was no location suitable for them. That’s an amazing fact;

7) On December 13, 2007, T-Mobile representatives met with me and our POA
Community Manager to look at 6 locations in this field. T-Mobile had several
objections to each site and said none of the locations would work;

As I have said on several occasions, if we, the BFPOA, owned the land on which the TWW Water Tower exists, T-Mobile would never have gotten the permission to locate cell antennas on the tower. Somehow, T-Mobile found the only spot in the entire Brandon Farms development that is not owned by the Brandon Farms POA.

The Brandon Farms POA has stepped up and offered T-Mobile temporary locations but they have not accepted them. It is up to Hopewell Township to use its power here. They are the ones who approved this in the first place. They are the ones who talk about the permanent cell tower in the Twin Pines Airport. They are the ones who will grant T-Mobile its building permit for the Water Tower.

It is going to take at least 3 out of the 5 Townsip Committee members to make the Twin Pines Airport happen. We have heard from Vanessa Sandom but where do the other Hopewell Township Committee members, including the soon to-be sworn in new Township Committee members-Jim Burd and Mike Markulec stand on this issue?

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