State-wide and National Action Required to Curb Cell Towers
For the past few days we have been bombarded with reminders that effective March 1st, police have the authority to stop and ticket you for hand-held cell phone use in New Jersey since the revised law now makes it a primary offense. While I applaud the State in its’ attempted effort to reduce traffic accidents, I can’t help but feel that the State and for that matter, the Nation, could benefit from this protective nature in the form of revisions to the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.
It is time to push our State legislators into action! We already know of one congressional representative in our Township who successfully blocked the installation of a cellular antennae near his residence but no one knows how!!! Why should only our legislators be protected from the negative impacts of cellular equipment near their homes? Do you deserve the same protection? Did you save your hard earned money to purchase your home? Are you entitled to reap the benefits (limited as they are in this real estate market) of appreciation in your property values? If you are at this blog, then I know you agree that there should be no difference here – one-size fits all.
Our fight here in Brandon Farms to prevent T-Mobile from locating their cellular antennae equipment on top of the water tower is local to us, but as you can see by other posts on this blog, this is a state-wide and national issue. All over the country there are homeowners in our predicament all in the name of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (FTA). Which brings me to my point – the only solution is to revise the Act of 1996. If we can unite this effort with the other residents throughout New Jersey fighting cell towers/antennae and join together with the residents of other states embroiled in this mess, we, the VOTING public, have the power to lobby congress just as hard as the $400 million that helped pass the original law. There is NO reason except apathy, why our congressional representatives cannot introduce a bill into Congress that would significantly curtail the ability of telecommunicates providers to locate cellular towers and/or equipment nears homes and schools. But sometimes you do need to lead a horse to water so come on people – let them know.
Make it dummy proof – PLEASE MR. SENATOR – AS MY ELECTED CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, I IMPLORE YOU TO INTRODUCE A BILL INTO CONGRESS AND WORK TO SEE IT SIGNED INTO LAW THAT WILL CLARIFY AND CURTAIL THE PERCEIVED OPEN-ENDED POWER OF THE FEDERAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996 BY IMPLEMENTING STRICT STANDARDS ON THE PLACEMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT NEAR OR CLOSE TO RESIDENCES AND SCHOOLS. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF STATE-WIDE AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE! Signed, your Constituent.
Rush Holt has publicized his Town Hall Meetings where the residents of the State can voice their concerns and interests occurring as we speak throughout the State of New Jersey. What better time to tell him that we too, deserve protection and that we too want cell antennae away from our homes and schools! We may or may not win the appeal, but I guarantee you that this will not be the last of this type of an issue. Until the Act of 1996 is revised, this is not a “done deal!”
Marta Gold
February 19th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
What was your outcome with TMobile? Schwenksville PA is facing a similar situation with TMobile.
June 15th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
My neighborhood in Castro Valley, CA is fighting this same battle with T-Mobile. Is there a good forum to get more information from others who have experienced the same “invasion?”
June 25th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
HMcTiernan,
You have to go to the politicians. Attack the holes in the Federal Com. Act. Read the post on this blog about it. Cell phone companies hate bad publicity. Even recently there have been new studies about the dangers of cell phones. Too many unknown things. Get lots of people involved and the politicians will listen.
Good luck!