On a motion by Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to end the immediate construction of a network of antenna sites proposed as part of a dedicated emergency communication system.
Citing health risks to firefighters and local residents, along with local community concerns and a lack of transparency, Mayor Antonovich’s motion calls for an outreach campaign and a legislative effort to extend the grant funding deadline, among other things.
“While a reliable communications platform is vital to preserve life and property during times of natural or made-made disasters, our employees and residents need to be assured that there are no health risks, and adequate notification should be made to local communities and impacted homeowners on planned cell towers,” he said.
The motion calls for the Board to send a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Congressional representatives, as well as meetings during the Board’s upcoming trip to Washington D.C. to extend the grant deadline of September 30, 2015. It also requests the Joint Powers Authority, in coordination with the Fire Chief and Sheriff, to host regional community meetings with current and former member cities, impacted residents and employees. Today’s action also permitted the construction for only those sites that do not have any opposition from residents or employees.
A progress report on alternative revenue sources and models for back-up systems will be delivered to the Board of Supervisors in 30 days.
Related article: County Puts Tower Plan on Hold After Residents Complain to City
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7 Comments
Funny how these emergency cell towers were halted so suddenly because of health concerns. Can’t wait for Santa Clarita to open their eyes and see how the expansion of Chiquita Canyon Landfill is really affecting their health.
So the construction of Antenna sites is hazardous to the health of workers and residents but the massive expansion of the Chiquita landfill which is a billion dollar corporation and takes in illegal radioactive waste and other pollutants, is smelly all over Val Verde, and causing health problems already, is just fine???? Something is very wrong with this picture!
I am very glad to hear that this was rejected. It seems like the telecommunications companies are so quick to put cell towers up, that they don’t take the time to realize the health risk at hand.
I think the Supervisors acted in a very responsible manner and I hope that an alternate plan is created.
As a thought, a low power microcell network could be installed near the stations and larger high power transmitter/receiver stations could be co-located where cell towers currently exist.
The article doesn’t cite specifically what health risks the supervisors are concerned with. Is this system any different than the cell and multiple radio transmission towers that top every significant hill in L.A.County? And transparency-that’s funny!
I attended the Supervisors’ hearing yesterday and sat through 3 hours of testimony. What I found most interesting is the documentation submitted on health issues. The public has been precluded from talking about health issues on these towers in other venues, but apparently there is now evidence from the World Health Organization that micowaves can cause health problems. Both Antonovich and Kuelh mentioned that they told us cigarettes were safe too. When there is a profit to be made, industry will say anything.
That’s just what they are doing on the Chiquita Canyon Landfill expansion too. How can you make an agreement with a community that the landfill will be closed, then 25 years later, when the time arrives, you decide not to close it. The County needs to close Chiquita Canyon Landfill and keep its word.
I attended the Supervisors’ hearing yesterday and sat through 3 hours of testimony. What I found most interesting is the documentation submitted on health issues. The public has been precluded from talking about health issues on these towers in other venues, but apparently there is now evidence from the World Health Organization that micowaves can cause health problems. Both Antonovich and Kuelh mentioned that they told us cigarettes were safe too. When there is a profit to be made, industry will say anything.
That’s just what they are doing on the Chiquita Canyon Landfill expansion too. How can you make an agreement with a community that the landfill will be closed, then 25 years later, when the time arrives, you decide not to close it. The County needs to close Chiquita Canyon Landfill and keep its word.
What is Michael Antonovich the mayor of?