So far, it looks like T-Mobile has jumped to attention and gotten right to work building those recently approved cell towers. People report that work on the tower at Lakeside is well under way across from the entrance to Echo Lake by the lower parking lot. We're not sure how work commenced so quickly on this project, as it usually takes at least 30 days to get a permit from the county. T-Mobile has had issues in the past and a group in California is monitoring them quite closely:
T-Mobile accused of installation violations
Company accused of installing equipment in Bay Area cities without proper permits
October 05, 2008|By Seth Rosenfeld, Chronicle Staff Writer
Neighbors wondered why workers waited until late on a summer night to erect an antenna atop a building near the Bon Air shopping center in Greenbrae.
As it turned out, the crew - allegedly working without the required permits - was installing the antenna for T-Mobile, the cell phone giant that has been rushing to set up hundreds of cellular transmission sites around Northern California.
That Marin County installation is one of several in the Bay Area where T-Mobile has been accused of ignoring local zoning rules to set up cell sites, according to building officials and public records.
Other sites allegedly in violation are in San Francisco, Alameda and San Leandro.
In addition, five former employees who helped T-Mobile install antennas told The Chronicle the firm has routinely put up and modified transmission sites without getting permits.
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If you see construction activity on a cell tower, please tell us in the comments and /or send an email to sayno2celltowers@yahoo.com
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UPDATE: Watch this new documentary on the subject of cellular technology TONIGHT at 7pm!
"Full Signal"
Documentary will air on DirecTV and Dish
Today at 7:00pm
DIRECTV Channel 375 | DISH Network Channel 9410
Full Signal talks to scientists around the world who are researching the health effects related to cellular technology. From veteran journalists who have called attention to the issue for decades; to activists who are fighting to regulate the placement of antennas; and to lawyers and law makers who represent the people wanting those antennas regulated.
For those with concerns, there is conflicting information about the health hazards associated with cell towers. For example, The American Cancer Society says "most scientists agree that cell phone antennas or towers are unlikely to cause cancer."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/cellular-phone-towers
Conversely, a German study done in 1998 by the Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy of the Veterinary School of Hanover (Germany) found that dairy cows were effected by their proximity to cell phone tower sites.
Click here to download the pdf.
Can someone find out if the permits, to build the towers, were applied for before the BOE's approval and the construction would only begin if the BOE agreed? This happens a lot. Permits are applied for weeks in advance of public meetings and votes. It saves a lot of time once approvals are made. That said, with T-Mobile's past history, it might be good to check to see if they have permits to build. This is DeKalb, anything is plausible, right?
ReplyDeleteJust came over the wire:
ReplyDeleteAT&T and T-Mobile merger blocked. Will this have any affect?
There is a meeting tonight at 6pm at Briarlake Elementary. Hosted by Paul Womack to discuss the cell towers there. The below is from the weekly email from the Briarlake PTA. Interestingly enough, all of the literature they are passing out shows where cell towers are safe:
ReplyDelete"DCSS Informational Meeting on Cell Phone Tower at Briarlake
DeKalb County School Board member Paul Womack will host a special Q & A gathering for the Briarlake PTA tonight (Wednesday, August 31st) at 6 p.m. at Briarlake. In July, the DCSS Board voted to approve cell phone towers at 9 county schools, including Briarlake. This meeting will provide Briarlake community members with details on the project and invite questions. Refer to side bar for links to background information provided by the DCSS on cell phone towers. Additional information will be provided at Wednesday's meeting.:
You need to step back and verify that this is cell tower construction before accusing T-Mobile of sinister behavior. The location you describe across from the entrance to Echo Lake is the lowest part of the site, and the worst for a cell tower. There is parking lot construction being done at this location on the site. The site plan proposed by the company and posted on the DCSS website shows the cell tower being located at the intersection of Oak Grove Road and Briarcliff, the opposite end of the school property from where “people” have reported tower work being done. This is the site plan that I assume the BOE approved.
ReplyDelete@ Dunwoody Mom The ATT T-Mobile is not blocked. The DOJ just filed suit to block it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/12/us-mobileusa-att-breakupfee-idUSTRE74B5H220110512
T Mobile probably already paid off the right people in the county Govt so it can proceed. That is good. DCSS desperately needs the money for some (unspecified) worthwhile purpose. Dr Walker said that his constituents want the towers. Nuff said. Done deal. Up they go.
Erin Brochovich (sp?) where are you?
Update to my 11:50 post:
ReplyDeleteThere’s a short, “booster” antenna adjacent to the entrance to the newly paved lower parking lot. This has been in place for years and has been fairly ineffective. I believe it’s AT&T equipment. This may have been displaced during the new construction and recently re-erected, causing folks to assume it was part of the new tower construction.
If you live in the Briarlake community and are opposed to the cell towers, please come to Briarlake tonight at 6:00 to ask Paul Womack the hard questions.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if lil Vernon has any former campaign workers employed with the install company? Kinda like the ol ambulance saga? Should there not be a permit board on site for folks to review?
ReplyDeleteI may drive over there tomorrow and check it out.
It says T-mobile on it
ReplyDeleteFYI, the fact sheet Womack plans to use at the 6 p.m. meeting at Briarlake is dated May 2006. And T-mobile's RF Emissions document is dated 2009.
ReplyDeleteI thought technology was rapidly changing and up-to-date. You wouldn't know it from the likes of those two.
Paul Womack is pitiful, an embarrassment -- way past his "sell-by" date; he often does not appear to be lucid. He does not use technology so he does not understand technology. In terms of technology, 2006 is ancient history; 2009 is not much better.
ReplyDeleteFYI,
ReplyDeleteI hope he leaves his revolver/glock in the car before the meeting.
He is usually packing when he goes to school meetings.
Glock doesn't make revolvers....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteI didn't ask Womack if he had a revolver or a glock.
I was just suprised to see him carrying a GUN! (At as school related function.)
That can't be true. Womack has often complained about a certain "other" member of the board who carries a weapon. Maybe Womack's preparing for self-defense?
ReplyDelete@SHS I agree that under normal conditions technology developed in 2006 is considered to be "ancient". But then again, isn't the DCSS MIS still trying to install a fairly expensive software student tracking package that it purchased in 2007? lol
ReplyDeleteSHS .. you often make good points but why are you always so nasty and disrespectful of people you don't agree with or do not like? Why are you always so angry?
ReplyDeleteGet the Cell Out - Atlanta chapter has photos from Lakeside where there is a visible sign reading "T-Mobile Towers".
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/#!/Get.the.Cell.Out.ATL
http://www.facebook.com/Get.the.Cell.Out.ATL
ReplyDeletecorrected link
please be sure to also sign: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL
We were put in contact with some great people at the meeting. This will not be the end by any means!
DMom and SayNo:
ReplyDeleteRegardless of whose equipment that is, it's not a new antenna. It's been there for years.
UPDATE: Watch this new documentary on the subject of cellular technology TONIGHT at 7pm!
ReplyDelete"Full Signal"
Documentary will air on DirecTV and Dish
Today at 7:00pm
DIRECTV Channel 375 | DISH Network Channel 9410
Full Signal talks to scientists around the world who are researching the health effects related to cellular technology. From veteran journalists who have called attention to the issue for decades; to activists who are fighting to regulate the placement of antennas; and to lawyers and law makers who represent the people wanting those antennas regulated.
That is good to know if it is not new. It would explain the search results showing a tower .4 miles from Briarlake. However, don't be discouraged about the actions we all took to find out about this. We have to stay vigilant on this effort. These are the things T-moible is known for doing. It is great that we let them know we are paying attention!
ReplyDeleteThe tower at Lakeside across from Echo Lake clearly says T-Mobile on it and is clearly a new tower (perhaps in the place of an old tower).... can't tell if there's another one in the works for elsewhere at Lakeside (it looks like something may be in the works for the corner of Oak Grove and Briarcliff but it's not as far along and may not actually be a cell tower-- can't tell yet).
ReplyDeleteI am so disappointed that cell towers will be placed on school property in my community.
ReplyDeleteI have read the research in the area and there is no way it is worth taking a chance around our schools.
I wish our school board were more interested in educating our children than pleasing some business forks in the community. I understand political favors but this should not be the focus of our school board. The little money received from these towers is not worth it IMO.