tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post1538493103900638813..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Cell Phone TowersCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75108415554023856142011-08-27T20:30:05.716-04:002011-08-27T20:30:05.716-04:00Please help the 9 remaining schools stop the cell ...Please help the 9 remaining schools stop the cell towers that were approved for space on school grounds by the DCSS just prior to the new superintendent taking office. <br /><br />Sign petition at: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL and "like" the group Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter on Facebook for updates. <br /><br />You can also send a letter or make a phone call to voice objection by contacting the people on this page : http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/planning/mainPage.htmlsayno2celltowers@yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-37614424091542816162011-05-27T13:06:19.580-04:002011-05-27T13:06:19.580-04:00What everyone seems to be missing is that this is ...What everyone seems to be missing is that this is not a matter of improving coverage for T-mobile - it is about forming a monopolopy by AT&T which is bad for EVERYONE. T-mobile doesn't mind harming its reputation by being the "bad guys" and asking to place towers at elementary schools and upsetting the public. That sounds strange for the company that has built its reputation on superior customer service, doesn't it? That's because within 6 months, the government is expected to approve the merger between ATT&T and T-mobile. Once that goes through, T-mobile no longer exists, but AT&T gobbles up all their tower locations which they don't even need! Then, they lease the space to every small company that doesn't have the money to buy off the schools, or have morals not to be the ones to go into communities and ask for such an outrageous thing like building a tower outside an elementary school. Plus, after T-mobile has offended everyone or ripped them off by not offering enough when you consider how much they will soon be leasinig the space for, everyone will be wise to the game and prepared with the community response of "no, we don't want a tower here." A telecom monopoloy is bad for all of us. That's why the government had to break it up in the past. It means higher prices, lower customer service and no where else to turn. I don't know if the school board realizes this, but why would ANYONE make a deal with a company that has already been announced to being merged with another? If anything, you would want to deal with the future contract owner, not the one that will soon have all its employees laid off! <br /><br />And, has anyone also thought of all the people who will be now allowed onto school property without a background check? Think of all the contractors, service personnel, etc. who will be providing regular maintenance for the tower... what will be the process for checking them in, making sure they are who they say they are? How long will it take before some petifile or divorce parent seeking to kidnap a child reaizes that there is an easy acess to school property? I urge everyone to protest this decision on June 6 at the school board meeting. It is bad for us all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7831842090493727862011-05-11T11:19:34.822-04:002011-05-11T11:19:34.822-04:00Great! Nausea, dizziness, cancer, epilepsy, Alheiz...Great! Nausea, dizziness, cancer, epilepsy, Alheizmers? Schools somehow paid for what they needed before cell phone companies.<br />They need to stick this stuff on vacant lots. And if there are no vacant lots, then the county needs to CONDEMN them so that these towers aren't blasting this radiation so close to them on a daily basis. Students can CHOOSE whether they are exposed to radiation when they use a personal cell phone. But are FORCED to be exposed by law when it's on school property.JSlasherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15839469414441321578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23537928104690344402011-05-09T15:23:39.460-04:002011-05-09T15:23:39.460-04:00Question for the blog:
Should the funds generated...Question for the blog:<br /><br />Should the funds generated from the towers go directly to the schools that are housing the towers or should the funds go back to DCSS to share with the entire school system.<br /><br />Big argument with BOE on this question.lAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16305773880748780792011-05-05T11:18:20.223-04:002011-05-05T11:18:20.223-04:00The issue in Dekalb with cell towers is likely the...The issue in Dekalb with cell towers is likely the size and height issue. No residential area wants one, and Dekalb (sorry, Elaine) is a bedroom community with large swaths that don't have commercial tracts, this is why there is a huge dead zone in the area around Lakeside. This is also why phone companies go to churches and schools to get a foothold into residential areas. So it has nothing to do with the "safety of the children." This is a business decision, pure and simple. The phone companies want better reception so more people will get their cell phones in a particular area. Kids having seizures make it an easier sell.<br /><br />I am sure the folks who live in direct proximity around these schools are thrilled at the prospect of a big old tower looming over them.fedupindcsshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11895950244074463477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30072244444089454502011-05-05T09:56:53.092-04:002011-05-05T09:56:53.092-04:00Hmmm. Not so sure Sharon. Info can be found on bo...Hmmm. Not so sure Sharon. Info can be found on both sides of the debate. This article talks about studies conducted in Germany and Israel that show some risk with cell towers. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.emf-health.com/articles-celltower.htm" rel="nofollow">Cell Phone Towers: How Far is Safe?</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4577506036274125452011-05-05T09:15:51.408-04:002011-05-05T09:15:51.408-04:00In the above referenced article, this is revealed:...In the above referenced article, this is revealed:<br /><br /><i>Blassingill said that DeKalb County has very strict rules against building telecommunications structures in places zoned for residential use. This is why T-Mobile began to look at schools for locations.</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-63196216342871041592011-05-05T09:03:43.021-04:002011-05-05T09:03:43.021-04:00Cell phone towers pose much less risk than using a...Cell phone towers pose much less risk than using a cell phone. Can you all find another windmill? Or are the paranoid schizophrenics out to get you?sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08489949602935639481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14260117177373620272011-05-05T08:58:09.281-04:002011-05-05T08:58:09.281-04:00Where were all those Lakeside and Fernbank parents...Where were all those Lakeside and Fernbank parents who were so concerned about redistricting? Not so concerned now...themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61474264201903483022011-05-05T08:42:54.414-04:002011-05-05T08:42:54.414-04:00Concerned parents - please call 11 Alive news desk...Concerned parents - please call 11 Alive news desk and let them know about this. A news crew was at our school last night but because we had such low attendance they left. Parents were not aware that the county was actually entertaining the idea that these towers would go on active school property...yikes! Get the word out!Petalshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10431688909696938923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-26424169681586134932011-05-04T08:56:40.309-04:002011-05-04T08:56:40.309-04:00Here's a good article on the subject from Bria...Here's a good article on the subject from Briarcliff Patch -<br /><br /><a href="http://northdruidhills.patch.com/articles/t-mobile-proposes-cell-tower-at-lakeside-high" rel="nofollow">T-Mobile Proposes Cell Tower at Lakeside High</a><br /><br /><i>The plan has already been proposed to the county's board of education and Lakeside Principal Joe Reed. Reed shared a story about a student who recently had a seizure outside the school in an area lacking in wireless signal strength. To call for help, Reed had to run back into the school building and use a landline phone. Another school-specific concern is that none of Lakeside’s athletic fields have lighting, so Reed wanted to know if T-Mobile could integrate lighting into a potential tower, which they can.<br /><br />Leaflets distributed at the event explained that property values are not adversely affected by the construction of a cell tower. In fact, real estate agents often use wireless signal strength as a factor in presenting homes to prospective buyers.<br /><br />Another possible concern is about the issue of electromagnetic and radio frequency emissions from a tower.<br /><br />“We operate these facilities well below any [electromagnetic emission] guidelines,” said Paul Hajek, senior manager of radio frequency design engineering for T-Mobile. He added that the Federal Communications Commission has very strict standards regarding radio frequency emissions and that T-Mobile towers operate within them.<br /><br />A tower emits about 0.1 microwatts per square centimeter of radio waves. By comparison, a wireless router emits 0.13 microwatts per square centimeter, a cordless phone emits 15 microwatts per square centimeter and a police radio emits 250 microwatts per square centimeter. This low amount is because of the tower’s height. Blassingill also said towers are monitored around the clock for possible spikes in emissions and that T-Mobile conducts emission studies before and after towers are built.</i><br /><br />Click the link to read the entire article.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56376426945488919912011-05-02T17:35:56.097-04:002011-05-02T17:35:56.097-04:00And what bills you stopped.And what bills you stopped.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58877132401724374382011-05-02T16:35:59.356-04:002011-05-02T16:35:59.356-04:00Public meetings can be held in DeKalb schools - y...Public meetings can be held in DeKalb schools - you schedule it with the school.<br /><br />HOWEVER, yes, it does cost money to have staff in, lights/heat/AC on, etc., so there is a charge. This charge is high enough that several organizations (our civic association, for example), have chosen to go elsewhere. <br /><br />HOWEVER again, I have heard that there have been meetings that there was no charge for - it may depend on who you are and who you know.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89519038026833848332011-05-02T09:38:28.620-04:002011-05-02T09:38:28.620-04:00Interesting -- Stan Watson uses Chapel Hill MS for...Interesting -- Stan Watson uses Chapel Hill MS for his Saturday meetings... Are we having to pay staff to open the building and stay there with his group? I'm all for community meetings and sharing community buildings - but curious about the logistics and the costs. <br /><br />Stan Watson's<br />DeKalb Legislative Community Cabinet & Breakfast Meeting<br />**New Location - Chapel Hill Middle School**<br /><br />Meeting Theme:<br />Senior Citizen Appreciation/<br />Older Americans Month<br /> <br />Honorable Jeryl Rosh<br />Judge<br />DeKalb County Probate Court<br /> <br />Derrick Alexander Pope<br />Attorney <br />The Pope Law Companies Inc.<br /> <br />LeRoya Jennings<br />Community Prosecutor<br />DeKalb County Solicitor's Office<br /> <br />Special Entertainment<br />Lou Walker Senior Center Choir<br />When and Where<br /> <br />Saturday May 7, 2011<br /> <br />9:00 am to 11:00 am<br /> <br />**New Location**<br /> <br />Chapel Hill Middle School<br /> <br />3535 Dogwood Farm Road<br />Decatur, Georgia 30034-6405<br /> <br />For additional information and/or directions, please call: 404.371.3681 or 404.371.2988Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82897454262389666292011-05-01T17:00:03.531-04:002011-05-01T17:00:03.531-04:00My small town high school does not replace uniform...My small town high school does not replace uniforms even every 10 years. We as kids were responsible for them and had to return them the way that they were received or we paid for it. Our uniforms were many decades old and that was okay, because they are not worn that often and don't get the wear and tear as sports uniforms get. I believe that we are spending too much money on things like this. It's nice to replace them every 10 years, but is this something that we can really afford right now? I think not.<br /><br />The board working on cell phone towers at our schools when there are so many other important things that truly need their attention and this is just a diversion from what is really important-who will be our new superintendent and how are we going to make our schools more equal and better.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-35739948374377603722011-05-01T16:03:38.946-04:002011-05-01T16:03:38.946-04:00However, the Lakeside Soccer players either have t...However, the Lakeside Soccer players either have to raise so much money or are strongly encourage to donate about $300.00 to the soccer booster club for funding their program while programs like the band and football get many funds. It does seem a little unfair to me as we all pay taxes and football parents should have to raise their share amount of cash also.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25667874880358348402011-05-01T11:23:50.646-04:002011-05-01T11:23:50.646-04:00shark bait: You got me on that one. Well done.shark bait: You got me on that one. Well done.Open+Transparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248529568051717909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52549671757834149452011-05-01T08:36:05.658-04:002011-05-01T08:36:05.658-04:00Just to clear up the uniforms -- they are only rep...Just to clear up the uniforms -- they are only replaced about once a decade. They don't belong to the kids -- they belong to the program and they are very expensive. DCSS has gotten very far behind on refreshing these things. <br /><br />The question might need to be asked, is there a better way? Matching track suits, shorts and tops, etc, but the culture of the marching band world, high school and college, includes these uniforms.<br /><br />Even when times were good, most bands in DeKalb were far larger than the amount of uniforms DCSS purchased == so the parents are raising money to make up the difference.<br /><br />Extracurricular activities are an important part of high school.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-72397234245144120202011-05-01T07:39:57.502-04:002011-05-01T07:39:57.502-04:00Okay, you have to admit it is pretty funny for &qu...Okay, you have to admit it is pretty funny for "Open+Transparent" to say:<br />"Can't reveal my source."shark baithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00063034860703474206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85004750987023382262011-04-30T23:19:19.884-04:002011-04-30T23:19:19.884-04:00Both Paul and Walker want the cell phone towers.
...Both Paul and Walker want the cell phone towers.<br /><br />Terri wanted the cell phone towers several years ago when she was on the board and they did not go through at that time due to health concerns. As well as I remember Dr. Lewis pulled it himself once he read up on the negative evidence out there. <br /><br />However, this is about doing something good for ATT and the businesses in Dekalb. I would have to do see a great deal of research before I could make up my mind on a topic like this, but I am definitely concerned with the research out there which indicates that these cell towers could be danagerous. Could or possible is enough reason for the school board to say "NO" in my opinion. We are dealing with the health of our students.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28069894603670804352011-04-30T19:40:02.094-04:002011-04-30T19:40:02.094-04:00Is DCSS picking up the tab for the 20 days of Pre-...Is DCSS picking up the tab for the 20 days of Pre-Kindergarten that were cut from the state budget? DCSS really needs to let this go out of the schools and let the private sector take this on like the other counties have done. Pre-K space is not funded by the state either. This is very important since so much of our space is not getting funded with the under enrollment issues.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862880288663811743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7315226427897168022011-04-30T18:43:55.583-04:002011-04-30T18:43:55.583-04:00http://mid.nn.marietta.new.adqic.com/stories/Schoo...http://mid.nn.marietta.new.adqic.com/stories/School-system-budget-restores-furlough-days,170759<br /><br />The proposed budget for the 2011 to 2012 school year topped the agenda of last week’s DeKalb County Board of Education meeting. <br /><br />The consolidated budget totals $1.15 billion with $789.5 million designated for general operations. <br /><br />“The $789 million is after the $28 million budget amendment from when we started the school year,” Marcus Turks, chief financial officer said. “When the [$18 million] came in for the Education Jobs Act in October, we dispersed those in December.” <br /><br />Turks said an additional $10 million from property tax was also included within the amount for the budget amendment. <br /><br />General operations funding for the upcoming fiscal year increased 1.93 percent from the previous year. <br /><br />The increase is due to more received revenue than the district planned for along with salary, benefit and other improvements added to the budget. <br /><br />---<br /><br />1) We need an online check register!!<br /><br />2) "Other changes include an increase in health insurance rates, AP exam costs, band and orchestra equipment and uniforms, parts and supplies, legal fees, fingerprinting and criminal record checking, school crossing guards, pre-kindergarten and SACS district accreditation."<br /><br />Why are we paying for band uniforms??? C'mon parents, pay for your own darn kids' band uniforms! How many times do they even wear them? For a few football games and that's it!!<br />Enough with the welfare state.<br /><br />3) "Outside of general operations, special revenue is budgeted for $98.6 million, for debt service, $91.6 million, capital outlay $105.3 million food service and athletics for $51.1 million, and trust and agency for $21 million."<br /><br />Over FIFTY FREAKING MILLION for athletics? I can hear David Montane's head explode. What activity fees are being charged? Let's see where booster club money and concession revenue goes. You won't like it.<br /><br />DCSS Athletics desperately needs a forensic audit, and a very public one.<br /><br />There has been nonsense spending here for years, mainly on football. The public would freak if they had an online register.<br /><br />DCSS Athletics Director Ron Seebree, while a nice person, is so far in over his head that's its painful. Football is king in DeKalb, and that's where the money goes.<br /><br />DeKalb better hope no parent of a female athlete makes a Title IV inquiry on equitable spending on girls sports in DCSS.<br /><br />4) I guarantee you if DCSS ever used an online check register, parents and taxpayers would hep find millions and millions in cost savings.<br /><br />We ashould all be furious on the amount spent on and by Audria Berry's no return on investment Office of School Improvement.<br /><br /><br />Why do we collectively not care about the bloat and waste in the DCSS budget?<br /><br />Why do we allow a felon like jay Cunningham and Gene Walker (harassment lawsuits, Sembler, DeKalb Development Authority, etc.) to spend a billion dollars a year of our tax dollars with no transparency??!!Open+Transparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248529568051717909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-17161690149376660532011-04-30T18:34:27.469-04:002011-04-30T18:34:27.469-04:00Can't reveal my source. Can just say Terry is...Can't reveal my source. Can just say Terry is part of this and her BFF Paul Womack is carrying the water for the cell phone towers for her at alarming speed. And for so reason Womack's enemy on the board Gene Walker is also pushing hard to get the cell phone towers approved ASAP with little public scrutiny.<br /><br />Someone else asked this, but with all the unused DCSS properties (and the system won't share the list with the public), why not put the cell towers there, away from kids?Open+Transparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248529568051717909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-79423077040086794872011-04-30T16:52:13.660-04:002011-04-30T16:52:13.660-04:00So, I guess we just tell T-Mobile we're not in...So, I guess we just tell T-Mobile we're not interested in a potential cash cow.<br />One commenter thinks they want to install cell phones (rather than towers) and apparently hasn't read his own sourced factsheet, which basically concludes that there is no link between cell phones and cancer. This includes a multi-year study that spanned 13 countries.<br />One says he thinks cell phone towers are dangerous but has never paid attention to any research.<br />One says it just "feels wrong."<br />And one, God Blees her, says there's no evidence that the towers are dangerous. but refusing T-Mobile's offer is a "no brained." she quotes a number of seemingly educated folks with opinions, but cite no studies or other evidence to back them up.<br />At least consider this: At a rate of $2,000 per month per cell tower (I think we could get 2-3 times that), this would be nearly $300,000 a year. And, if we refuse T-Mobile's offer, the towers will still be built - just not on DCSS property.<br />If you're really concerned about cell phone towers, you might want to check out the website cited above, www.antennasearch.com. There are currently 137 towers within a 4 mile radius of Lakeside HS. Some are paging, some are microwave, but most seem to be cell phone towers. Is one more going to be a "killer?"Longtimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07793090847532988232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48002316396798601812011-04-30T15:35:22.694-04:002011-04-30T15:35:22.694-04:00O&T--where did Terry's name come up?O&T--where did Terry's name come up?fedupindcsshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11895950244074463477noreply@blogger.com