Thursday, November 3, 2011
PTA President Admits Prior Knowledge of Cell Tower Proposal
As reported on DeKalb County School Watch blog:
Words were exchanged in anger, tempers flared and PTA President Evelyn Cunningham, wife of school board representative Jesse “Jay” Cunningham, admitted she had been aware of talks with the DeKalb County School System (DCSS) regarding the cell tower proposal for more than a year. She offered no explanation about why the subject was not announced to the parents or community until May, just a month before the school board was scheduled to vote.
Cunningham approached the group of approximately 12 - 14 people who had gathered outside the entrance to Martin Luther King, Jr. High School around 11 am. Monday, Oct 24, to inspect the location where they recently learned a T-mobile cell tower will reside for the next 30 years, thanks to the school board’s approval to lease its property, along with eight other school properties, in exchange for about $400 a month which will be deposited into the county’s general fund. The deal also includes a one-time payment of $25,000 that will also be deposited into the general fund, but those funds will be “directed” by the PTA or a School Booster Club that the school wishes to support.
While the group was assembled outside the school, a spokesperson for the local non-profit group “Get the Cell Out - Atlanta” was also being interviewed by a reporter from WXIA-TV for a story related to SPLOST IV. That story has not yet aired. As the group was disassembling and preparing to return to their vehicles or walk back to their nearby homes, Ms. Cunningham approached them and demanded to know their names and what had been reported to the news media. After several minutes, the group convinced the PTA officer to calm down and discuss her concerns rationally, which is when she admitted to having known about the cell towers for more than a year. When asked if she received the information from her husband, she replied that it was her understanding that lots of people in the PTA were aware of the proposal and it was not specific to anything her husband told her directly.
The DeKalb County Board of Education Administrative Rule O.C.G.A. 20-2-1160 requires: "… public forums from time to time, especially when dealing with controversial issues or matters of deep community concern, to receive input from citizens on policy issues, the educational program, and school administration."
The DCSS official position on the subject of public notification has been that public meetings were held at each of the schools once carrier T-mobile had been selected. Critics claim the flyer sent home with children was vague and did not convey the message that the meeting was to discuss the intent to place cell towers on the school property.
DeKalb County zoning laws specific to the permitting of cell towers has language that prohibit cell phone or cell tower companies from constructing towers, which emit low levels of RF radiation 24 hours a day, within close proximity of residential neighborhoods unless there are no other suitable alternatives. T-mobile representatives stated during the school meetings in May that the schools were selected because they were the “easiest” choice for them to pursue, not the last alternative as required by the county.
T-mobile also reported in the community meetings, according to one parent who attended the meeting at Brockett Elementary in Tucker, that they did not want to build their towers in neighborhoods where they are not wanted. The community members and neighborhood associations near Martin Luther King, Jr. High School have stated that they have been shut out of the process completely, only learning recently that a 150’ tower with a base size of 60’ x 60’ has been approved by the school board.”
At the July 11 board meeting, Jay Cunningham spoke out on the cell tower issue, stating that the community was in favor. In an interview with a reporter from the Crossroads newspaper in July, Cunningham said “Everybody has their view,” adding that he only had one call opposing the proposal. “Everybody had no problem with it. I didn’t hear anything negative from the community.” Read more: CrossRoadsNews - Cell Towers Going to Schools
“It is very disappointing and makes you wonder if you can trust anyone in this school system,” stated one of the people who witnessed the altercation between the PTA President and the community members who say they would like some answers.
“We have fought things like this before,” said one man from a neighborhood right next door to the school. “This is the first time something like this has happened where they plan to allow zoning for something and we do not hear about it until it is too late.”
For similar meeting held by School Board Member Paul Womack at Briarlake Elementary, click here: Womack T-mobile Cell Tower Meeting.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wise Words
"Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy or too frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice."
— Robert F. Kennedy
— Robert F. Kennedy
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
UPDATED 4/11/12: Margaret Harris Comprehensive School
Update as of 1/3/11: The permit mentioned in this article is not a DeKalb County permit as we previously reported. We have learned that the permits listed on antennasearch.com are actually the FCC permits which must be obtained first before the local permit is issued. As of today, we have not heard of any county permits issued for our cell tower schools, however, the due diligence period for applications should be ending as early as 1/12/11. We expect to see those permits approved and construction to begin shortly thereafter. (Or, a second due diligence period of 6 months shall begin.)
4/11/12 update: The second due diligence period is expected to end on 7/11/12. Construction shall commence shortly thereafter.
Administrative Permit Approved for a Vulnerable Population at Margaret Harris Comprehensive School. Listed as unregistered, T-mobile's application on 9/19/11 appears on the list as .06 miles from this special education school for students with severe and multiple disabilities, ages 3 – 21 and grades P-12. UPDATE=== This is an FCC Permit, not a DeKalb Administrative Permit.
From the school's website: Values -- DeKalb County School System:
• Value and promote parent involvement
• Regard quality public education as essential
• Honor universal human rights
• Contribute to the common good of our community
• Hold high expectations for ALL
Click photo to view larger version.
What is the Human Right to A Safe and Healthy Environment?
Every woman, man, youth and child has the human right to a safe and healthy environment, and to other fundamental human rights linked to and dependent upon a healthy environment.
Human Rights relating to the environment are set out in basic human rights treaties and include:
* The human right to a safe and healthy environment.
* The human right to the highest attainable standard of health.
* The human right to ecologically sustainable development.
* The human right to an adequate standard of living, including access to safe food and water.
* The human right of the child to live in an environment appropriate for physical and mental development.
* The human right to full and equal participation for all persons in environmental decision-making and development planning, and in shaping decisions and policies affecting one's community, at the local, national and international levels.
* The human right to safe working conditions, including adequate safeguards for pregnant and lactating women.
* The human right to freedom from any type of discrimination.
* The human right to education and information, including information relating to links between health and the environment.
* The human right to share in the benefits of scientific progress.
Click image above to view larger version.
4/11/12 update: The second due diligence period is expected to end on 7/11/12. Construction shall commence shortly thereafter.
Administrative Permit Approved for a Vulnerable Population at Margaret Harris Comprehensive School. Listed as unregistered, T-mobile's application on 9/19/11 appears on the list as .06 miles from this special education school for students with severe and multiple disabilities, ages 3 – 21 and grades P-12. UPDATE=== This is an FCC Permit, not a DeKalb Administrative Permit.
From the school's website: Values -- DeKalb County School System:
• Value and promote parent involvement
• Regard quality public education as essential
• Honor universal human rights
• Contribute to the common good of our community
• Hold high expectations for ALL
What is the Human Right to A Safe and Healthy Environment?
Every woman, man, youth and child has the human right to a safe and healthy environment, and to other fundamental human rights linked to and dependent upon a healthy environment.
Human Rights relating to the environment are set out in basic human rights treaties and include:
* The human right to a safe and healthy environment.
* The human right to the highest attainable standard of health.
* The human right to ecologically sustainable development.
* The human right to an adequate standard of living, including access to safe food and water.
* The human right of the child to live in an environment appropriate for physical and mental development.
* The human right to full and equal participation for all persons in environmental decision-making and development planning, and in shaping decisions and policies affecting one's community, at the local, national and international levels.
* The human right to safe working conditions, including adequate safeguards for pregnant and lactating women.
* The human right to freedom from any type of discrimination.
* The human right to education and information, including information relating to links between health and the environment.
* The human right to share in the benefits of scientific progress.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Petition Quote of the Day!
From the DeKalb County petition opposing cell towers at all schools, including: Brockett Elementary, Medlock Elementary, Meadowview Elementary, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, Jolly Elementary School, Lakeside High School, Briarlake Elementary School, Flat Rock Elementary School, Princeton Elementary School, Narvie J. Harris Elementary School and Margaret Harris Comprehensive Center. Our Favorite Petition Comment of the Day is:
You could be picked as our next "Petition Quote of the Day" by simply signing the petition to help us tell our county school board and zoning officials how we really feel! Just go to: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL before the next school board meeting, Nov. 7, so we can include ALL the comments in the copy that will be hand delivered to them at the meeting! Thank you!
"As a long-time DeKalb resident and parent, I strongly object to the placement of a cell tower at any school. We are opting to move to a different school district because of this and many other inappropriate actions by the Board of Education."
You could be picked as our next "Petition Quote of the Day" by simply signing the petition to help us tell our county school board and zoning officials how we really feel! Just go to: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL before the next school board meeting, Nov. 7, so we can include ALL the comments in the copy that will be hand delivered to them at the meeting! Thank you!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Can You Hear Me Now?
So this is what they meant by RF radiation?
Happy Halloween everyone!
If you want to read about something really scary, check out the mention we received on the DeKalb County School Watch: http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/10/pta-president-admits-prior-knowledge-of.html.
If you cannot trust your PTA to look out for the health of the children, then you have to make sure YOU are keeping up to date with school board decisions yourself. If you can't make the meetings, then you can always watch them on Comcast Channel 24 live or reveiw them a couple months after the fact on the school board's website. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
To review the vote on the cell tower that happened this past July, click this link: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/pds24/vod/ , locate the July 11, 2011, work session and business meeting link andd click on it to begin the video. Once it starts, you can skip to 2:41:30 in the video.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
How to Appeal a Cell Tower in Your Area
Exerpt from www.janecelltower.com - a site full of great information to help fight the towers!
How do you issue an appeal against a proposed cell tower going up within residential property? Go to your city, county, or local government zoning and building department and ask to fill out an appeal request against the building of the proposed cell phone tower. There is usually a cost to file the appeal, with a very small window of opportunity by which to do so. In my Georgia county the appeal process had to be done in 30 days. Of course, I was never notified, thereby I was not granted my Constitutional right to due process. However, if you have been notified of a propossed sitting of a cell phone tower, " time" is of the essence by which you can appeal and state your case before your city or county commissioners, leaders, or zoning board. Getting the appeal process completed is your first order of business.
Read more at http://www.janecelltower.com/gpage3.html
How do you issue an appeal against a proposed cell tower going up within residential property? Go to your city, county, or local government zoning and building department and ask to fill out an appeal request against the building of the proposed cell phone tower. There is usually a cost to file the appeal, with a very small window of opportunity by which to do so. In my Georgia county the appeal process had to be done in 30 days. Of course, I was never notified, thereby I was not granted my Constitutional right to due process. However, if you have been notified of a propossed sitting of a cell phone tower, " time" is of the essence by which you can appeal and state your case before your city or county commissioners, leaders, or zoning board. Getting the appeal process completed is your first order of business.
Read more at http://www.janecelltower.com/gpage3.html
Favorite GTCO-ATL Petition Comment of the Day
From the DeKalb County petition opposing cell towers at all schools, including: Brockett Elementary, Medlock Elementary, Meadowview Elementary, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, Jolly Elementary School, Lakeside High School, Briarlake Elementary School, Flat Rock Elementary School, Princeton Elementary School, Narvie J. Harris Elementary School and Margaret Harris Comprehensive Center. Our Favorite Petition Comment of the Day is:
You could be picked as our next "Petition Quote of the Day" by simply signing the petition to help us tell our county school board and zoning officials how we really feel! Just go to: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL before the next school board meeting, Nov. 7, so we can include ALL the comments in the copy that will be hand delivered to them at the meeting! Thank you!
"I do not appreciate DCSS's commercialization of the school system by "renting out" the school property for cell towers. This smacks of endorsement and should not be allowed by ANY government entity. Since the elected school board officials don't seem to have the sense to run the board properly, I hope the county zoning officials will step up to the plate. I also encourage all parents to research who voted for and against this decision and take that research to the polls during the next school board election."
You could be picked as our next "Petition Quote of the Day" by simply signing the petition to help us tell our county school board and zoning officials how we really feel! Just go to: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL before the next school board meeting, Nov. 7, so we can include ALL the comments in the copy that will be hand delivered to them at the meeting! Thank you!
Friday, October 28, 2011
What's at the Bottom of a Cell Tower Anyway?
Most everyone has an idea about what the top of a cell tower looks like by now... but have you ever wondered what's at the bottom? If you think it is similar to an electric or telephone pole that just sticks straight into the ground, you would be incorrect. The base of a cell tower may actually be more dangerous than what's at the top!
Although the top emits radiation, at least it is generally 150' above ground or higher. But, since your child may soon be playing on a playground right next to a cell tower base in DeKalb County, you might want to get familiar with the dangers that will exist so you can warn your child not to go near it and never, ever cross the fenced in area or attempt to climb a cell tower! Here's a look at some base stations at ATT and T-mobile towers that are operational in our county today.
A parent who is actively fighting cell towers in Maryland via the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County, www.parentscoalitionmc.com, had this advice to offer to us here in DeKalb County:
6:32pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
It doesn't seem that the people in this community really understands what a cell tower on school property means. It means a commercial entity on public school land. It means 24/7 access by company workers. It means the placement of a HAZMAT (hazardous materials) site on playgrounds. It means trucks driving over school grounds (can mess up football fields, playgrounds, trucks arrive DURING recess) and it means maintenance of the grounds issues as the compound becomes overgrown.
Cell tower and stranger danger:
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2010/01/stranger-danger-cell-towers-on-school.html
Summary: There are some facts you as community members, parents and tax payers need to know about.
While you read these facts, consider the following questions:
* What benefit is it doing to our children?
* What benefit does it bring to our community?
* Why are other schools benefiting from the cell tower in our backyard?
* How is this tower helping the value of our homes?
* When did a public school become a profit generating business?
1. Towers bring very little money into the school system and even less, if any, will be spent at the school that's assuming this huge 30-year risk. For example, if MLK, Jr. High School in Lithonia, GA, with approximately 1833 students (according to education.com), were to actually be allowed to keep all the money from their tower so it could be spent at their school, it would be the equivelent to less than $5.00 per student per year! Did anyone think to ask the parents if they would like to contribute $20 per year per child so that the school board would NOT place a cell tower nearby?
2. The cell tower funds the school receives are not appropriated by county and are separate from the general fund. It ends up being essentially nothing more than a slush fund that can be utilized, and not be penalized, as the school board wishes.
4. The schools with the towers believed they would get 25K per PTA. They have since learned the money all goes to the general fund and they will then be able to "direct" the spending of $25,000 in the first year. After that, all money goes straight to the general fund. Why are all schools able to benefit from a huge health and safety issue being forced upon only a few?
5. T-mobile wants to add up to three additional devices per tower, once they are operational. This increases the radiation exposure and nothing in the contract states what would be in it for the schools with the towers.
6. T-mobile and frequently visits the cell tower site and as it has happened at other schools, they do not check in or check out.
7. The DCSS did not include anything in the T-mobile contract that would require the employees or subcontractors of T-mobile to have background checks. If you have a child in a trailor or at recess when these people are inspecting the towers, this is a major concern.
8. The driveway and eavesments have been known to create an eyesore for the school and the community.
We as parents and tax payers need to demand that the money being brought into our school is used appropriately. If you are a member of the PTA at your school, it is recommended that your PTA take a vote about whether or not to allow the extra devices to be co-located on your tower and whether or not the school should enforce the check-in policy that exists for volunteers or anyone else coming onto school property. You can then deliver that message to your principal and school council member and ask that it be brought to the attention of your board member.
Look at the dirt road created by all the truck traffic to the cell tower on the playground at this elementary school: http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2010/01/weast-puts-strangers-on-playground.html
Read about the HAZMAT issue and T-Mobile response to comply with county law:
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2010/03/weast-puts-hazmat-on-playgrounds.html
Here is what the base of the cell tower looks like at one school:
Maintenance of site:
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2010/01/weasts-cell-tower-jungle-gym-for-kids.html
TUCKER PATCH ARTICLE: Wake Up and Smell the SPLOST
Reprint from the Tucker Patch
10.27.2011
Author: Cheryl Miller
(click headline for the full story)
Much to the dismay and dislike of our DeKalb County School Board, we were still talking about cell towers when it came time for a vote on the SPLOST, special local one-cent sales tax. But, as far as we were concerned, the two things are very much connected. Without the financial troubles and lawsuits that resulted from previous SPLOSTs, we likely would not be in a position where something like cell towers would even need to be considered for budget enhancements. And, if you can't trust your school board representative to listen to your opinion (or even call you back) when it comes to an urgent concern like the cell tower slated for your school, why would you trust that person to oversee a big huge chunk of your money, combined with the money from all your neighbors? We didn't think it was right for our voices to be ignored and our rights to be trampled on, so we advocated for a "no" vote as a way to "send a message" that the people of our county were paying attention and demanding change before we would just hand over more money.
Unfortantely, the board held the election at an odd time, making it the only thing on the ballot. And, with enough friends and family, it was nearly impossible to stop the runaway SPLOST train. People without kids just assume that if something is "for the children" then it must be good. But, how much of the previous money even got to the "children" and why did it end up causinig major withdrawls from the general fund - the one to pay for the actual education? We may never know the answers... but at least we are starting to ask the right questions!
Other communities, cell tower or no cell tower, are sadly still caught in the game of playing tag, hoping to each get a turn at asking for special favors while no one wants to be left out in the cold. We'll continue our quest to unite them all and show these communities that their strength is NOT in their barganing for top dog position. Strength is in the numbers! If we can stick together, share information and help each other, we can root out the bad and let all the good rise to the top! Or, at least that is the theroy.
But, for now, it is time to...
Wake Up and Smell the SPLOST
I was recently contacted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution to give my opinion about SPLOST IV (see article here) and before I knew it, I was in the middle of controversy. I guess voicing your own opinion and then backing it up with what you know to be true can sometimes be unpopular, especially when there is money involved. But, I still stand by my position and there are a lot of people out there who agree with me.
I don't expect everyone to speak out, but I do hope that more people will get out and vote on Tuesday, November 8, so your opinion will actually count. Like all elections, the biggest contributing factor in the upcoming SPLOST IV vote will likely come low voter turnout. Since SPLOST IV is viewed as relevant only to parents of public school children, chances are fairly good that a large portion of voters who could make a difference either do not know about this issue or do not care. And that means they do not intend to vote.
Think "Yes" (to education), but Vote "No" (on SPLOST IV)
The reason I am comfortable with the "No" on SPLOST is precisely because we know that they have other ways to get the money, such as repealing the homestead exemption for property owners. This option has been positioned very cleverly as being a negative effect of a "No" vote. But, if you consider your options, you might find that it really would not be so bad. For every homeowner, the cost of losing the exemption would be about $57 flat.
This could be the wake-up call we need!
And, if you wonder what will happen if you decide to vote "No." The biggest difference is not whether they will get the money. It is only about how they will do it. A "No" to SPLOST IV results in a repeal of the property tax exemption. And that will do one very important thing - it will notify a lot more residents in our county about how bad the problems are in the school system these days. And since property owners are probably more likely to vote as well, these are important people for us to reach so that they might help us elect responsible school board members when it is time to cast our ballots next November.
A continuation of a tax that is already in place without even a short gap of interruption will not only send a message of approval to the current board, but it will also be passed without the majority of our county even realizing that anything has taken place. The current SPLOST funds extend through August 2012 and the tax can be revisited again if we do not pass it on November 8.
I think it is better to give the new superintendent a clean break from the past while she completes her plans. We should enable her to provide more input into the list of items where the money should be allocated so the money will go to back her plans, not require her to work within the confines of a plan that hasn't worked for us in the past.
Think Ahead if You Want Real Change
Without bringing attention to the education downslide we are on, we (the parents and teachers) will not be able to influence the other voters when it is time to try to vote out the incumbents who have failed to listen to us and have pursued their own agendas. It is a fact that voters who are unsure of how to vote will typically vote to preserve what is going on now because, even in difficult times, people are inherently afraid of change. We have to motivate them to WANT to change.
Yes, it might take a short adjustment period where some pain is felt, but it is temporary. If you are concerned about the conditions of the schools, then perhaps you could consider volunteering your time to help. Maybe the PTA or the community at large could help raise funds and organize clean-up or repair days with local volunteers for the most pressing immediate needs that have been neglected by our school board. Our money can be used to directly help the schools, rather than collected and then wasted by administrators who pay their own salaries first before paying teachers and beautify and improve their own surroundings before considering the needs of our children.
We are giving away so much money that it is literally bleeding us all dry, and for what? Our schools are a mess, our board is corrupt and our children are failing. Money is not the only way to show support for the children. In this case, the good intentions of the public to help our schools has resulted in litigation that must be paid by the fund that would normally pay our teachers. So, by giving more money to SPLOST, we actually took money away from those who are directly responsible for teaching our children.
Congress will not pass a new law if there is one single line in it that they cannot agree upon. Instead, they will deny it and wait for a better version to come across their desks. If the money is really needed, we do not have to worry about them finding other ways to ask... that is exactly what they will do.
Don't accept something that is not clearly defined or does not meet your expectations. Do not settle for less than what we deserve. Do not take the abuse of those in power without at least attempting to put your foot down. Because a leopard doesn't change its spots, but a great city and a great county can certainly decline into poverty if we do not speak out now while we still have something left that is worth protecting.
10.27.2011
Author: Cheryl Miller
(click headline for the full story)
Much to the dismay and dislike of our DeKalb County School Board, we were still talking about cell towers when it came time for a vote on the SPLOST, special local one-cent sales tax. But, as far as we were concerned, the two things are very much connected. Without the financial troubles and lawsuits that resulted from previous SPLOSTs, we likely would not be in a position where something like cell towers would even need to be considered for budget enhancements. And, if you can't trust your school board representative to listen to your opinion (or even call you back) when it comes to an urgent concern like the cell tower slated for your school, why would you trust that person to oversee a big huge chunk of your money, combined with the money from all your neighbors? We didn't think it was right for our voices to be ignored and our rights to be trampled on, so we advocated for a "no" vote as a way to "send a message" that the people of our county were paying attention and demanding change before we would just hand over more money.
Other communities, cell tower or no cell tower, are sadly still caught in the game of playing tag, hoping to each get a turn at asking for special favors while no one wants to be left out in the cold. We'll continue our quest to unite them all and show these communities that their strength is NOT in their barganing for top dog position. Strength is in the numbers! If we can stick together, share information and help each other, we can root out the bad and let all the good rise to the top! Or, at least that is the theroy.
But, for now, it is time to...
Wake Up and Smell the SPLOST
I was recently contacted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution to give my opinion about SPLOST IV (see article here) and before I knew it, I was in the middle of controversy. I guess voicing your own opinion and then backing it up with what you know to be true can sometimes be unpopular, especially when there is money involved. But, I still stand by my position and there are a lot of people out there who agree with me.
I don't expect everyone to speak out, but I do hope that more people will get out and vote on Tuesday, November 8, so your opinion will actually count. Like all elections, the biggest contributing factor in the upcoming SPLOST IV vote will likely come low voter turnout. Since SPLOST IV is viewed as relevant only to parents of public school children, chances are fairly good that a large portion of voters who could make a difference either do not know about this issue or do not care. And that means they do not intend to vote.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. "But, if you are concerned about high taxes and mismanagement of your money, it might be time to start paying attention because a good school system can make or break our county. And right now, we need all the help we can get. So, thanks to the Internet, it does not take much time to get caught up on the issues concerning our school system. And, if you really enjoy controversy, I recommend you check out The DeKalb School Watch blog or the website I moderate on behalf of our schools that were selected to receive cell towers courtesy of T-mobile and the DeKalb County School System (DCSS): Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Think "Yes" (to education), but Vote "No" (on SPLOST IV)
The reason I am comfortable with the "No" on SPLOST is precisely because we know that they have other ways to get the money, such as repealing the homestead exemption for property owners. This option has been positioned very cleverly as being a negative effect of a "No" vote. But, if you consider your options, you might find that it really would not be so bad. For every homeowner, the cost of losing the exemption would be about $57 flat.
(If SPLOST is not approved then we would lose the $2500 extra homestead exemption that goes against the school levy that we get in DeKalb. The school millage rate is 22.98 mils. 22.98 times $2500 is $57 and change. That's the same no matter the value of your house because the exemption of $2500 is the same for every homeowner. This amount would change only if the millege were to increase.)So, if you want to look at it on a strictly personal level, do the math. Can you afford a penny on every dollar you spend for a year on everything except food? Or is a one-time, flat cost of $57 per household a better bargain for you?
This could be the wake-up call we need!
And, if you wonder what will happen if you decide to vote "No." The biggest difference is not whether they will get the money. It is only about how they will do it. A "No" to SPLOST IV results in a repeal of the property tax exemption. And that will do one very important thing - it will notify a lot more residents in our county about how bad the problems are in the school system these days. And since property owners are probably more likely to vote as well, these are important people for us to reach so that they might help us elect responsible school board members when it is time to cast our ballots next November.
A continuation of a tax that is already in place without even a short gap of interruption will not only send a message of approval to the current board, but it will also be passed without the majority of our county even realizing that anything has taken place. The current SPLOST funds extend through August 2012 and the tax can be revisited again if we do not pass it on November 8.
I think it is better to give the new superintendent a clean break from the past while she completes her plans. We should enable her to provide more input into the list of items where the money should be allocated so the money will go to back her plans, not require her to work within the confines of a plan that hasn't worked for us in the past.
Think Ahead if You Want Real Change
Without bringing attention to the education downslide we are on, we (the parents and teachers) will not be able to influence the other voters when it is time to try to vote out the incumbents who have failed to listen to us and have pursued their own agendas. It is a fact that voters who are unsure of how to vote will typically vote to preserve what is going on now because, even in difficult times, people are inherently afraid of change. We have to motivate them to WANT to change.
Yes, it might take a short adjustment period where some pain is felt, but it is temporary. If you are concerned about the conditions of the schools, then perhaps you could consider volunteering your time to help. Maybe the PTA or the community at large could help raise funds and organize clean-up or repair days with local volunteers for the most pressing immediate needs that have been neglected by our school board. Our money can be used to directly help the schools, rather than collected and then wasted by administrators who pay their own salaries first before paying teachers and beautify and improve their own surroundings before considering the needs of our children.
We are giving away so much money that it is literally bleeding us all dry, and for what? Our schools are a mess, our board is corrupt and our children are failing. Money is not the only way to show support for the children. In this case, the good intentions of the public to help our schools has resulted in litigation that must be paid by the fund that would normally pay our teachers. So, by giving more money to SPLOST, we actually took money away from those who are directly responsible for teaching our children.
Congress will not pass a new law if there is one single line in it that they cannot agree upon. Instead, they will deny it and wait for a better version to come across their desks. If the money is really needed, we do not have to worry about them finding other ways to ask... that is exactly what they will do.
Don't accept something that is not clearly defined or does not meet your expectations. Do not settle for less than what we deserve. Do not take the abuse of those in power without at least attempting to put your foot down. Because a leopard doesn't change its spots, but a great city and a great county can certainly decline into poverty if we do not speak out now while we still have something left that is worth protecting.
Early Voting for DeKalb County
From the Voter Registrations Office 404-298-4020
(click headline for the full story)
Early voting for all DeKalb County voters has begun for the municipal and
countywide special elections that will be conducted on November 8, 2011.
The voting will continue weekdays through Friday, November 4 from 8:30 AM
until 4:00 PM. The location is the Voter Registration office at 4380
Memorial Drive. There will be no voting on Monday, November 5.
For a review about the E-SPLOST and why we advocate DeKalb County to vote "no," please refer to the following links:
"Wake Up and Smell the SPLOST" on the Tucker Patch.
"School SPLOST has Opposition," on the AJC.com.
The educational special purpose local option sales tax (E-SPLOST) is to
continue a 1% sales tax for educational purposes for the DeKalb,
Atlanta and Decatur school systems. This 1% tax has been collected since 1997 and must be voted on every five years to continue.
For more details on the E-SPLOST, go to the following websites:
DeKalb School System website at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/splost-iv
Atlanta Public Schools website at http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
Decatur City Schools website at http://www.csdecatur.net/SPLOST/more
In addition to the E-SPLOST, each municipality in DeKalb is conducting
elections for city officials, to approve Sunday liquor sales and to
approve special referendums.
Refer to the DeKalb Votes website at http://www.dekalbvotes.com to see sample ballots and to locate your polling place for Election day.
Questions may be addressed to the Voter Office, 404-298-4020.
(click headline for the full story)
Early voting for all DeKalb County voters has begun for the municipal and
countywide special elections that will be conducted on November 8, 2011.
The voting will continue weekdays through Friday, November 4 from 8:30 AM
until 4:00 PM. The location is the Voter Registration office at 4380
Memorial Drive. There will be no voting on Monday, November 5.
For a review about the E-SPLOST and why we advocate DeKalb County to vote "no," please refer to the following links:
"Wake Up and Smell the SPLOST" on the Tucker Patch.
"School SPLOST has Opposition," on the AJC.com.
The educational special purpose local option sales tax (E-SPLOST) is to
continue a 1% sales tax for educational purposes for the DeKalb,
Atlanta and Decatur school systems. This 1% tax has been collected since 1997 and must be voted on every five years to continue.
For more details on the E-SPLOST, go to the following websites:
DeKalb School System website at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/splost-iv
Atlanta Public Schools website at http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
Decatur City Schools website at http://www.csdecatur.net/SPLOST/more
In addition to the E-SPLOST, each municipality in DeKalb is conducting
elections for city officials, to approve Sunday liquor sales and to
approve special referendums.
Refer to the DeKalb Votes website at http://www.dekalbvotes.com to see sample ballots and to locate your polling place for Election day.
Questions may be addressed to the Voter Office, 404-298-4020.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Cell Towers on School Grounds: 5 Medical Reasons for Concern
By Viola Davis, RN BSN
(click headline for the full story)
“The first rule of medicine is ‘First, do no Harm.’ Wise words no matter what the profession.”
-- By Brian A. Kuzik MD, MSc, FRCP
Concern 1: Independent research shows an increase in brain tumors – malignant glioma.
Concern 2: Consistent Epidemiologic evidence of an association between childhood leukemia and exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields has led to their classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a “possible human carcinogen.”
Concern 3: Children are in particular danger from these emissions as their head sizes are smaller, their skulls are thinner and their bodies are still growing. A study is underway that will further evaluate the effects of cell phones on children. It can be reviewed at: http://www.mbkds.net (results due in 2013)
Concern 4: Those who live near cell phone towers are exposed to radiofrequency radiation 24 hours a day. During that time there are higher and lower exposure levels. General symptoms include headaches, fatigue, concentration problems, dizziness, insomnia, depression, appetite loss, skin rashes, and discomfort.
Concern 5: Cell phone radiation damages DNA, an undisputed cause of cancer and male fertility is damaged by cell phone radiation. For medical research articles visit www.getthecelloutatl.org.
Any financial gain DeKalb County School System hopes to receive in return for the cell tower lease would clearly not be worth risking the lives and health of our children and community. If cell phones are now rated as “possible human carcinogen,” then we need to be concerned about cell phone towers.
(click headline for the full story)
“The first rule of medicine is ‘First, do no Harm.’ Wise words no matter what the profession.”
-- By Brian A. Kuzik MD, MSc, FRCP
Concern 1: Independent research shows an increase in brain tumors – malignant glioma.
Concern 2: Consistent Epidemiologic evidence of an association between childhood leukemia and exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields has led to their classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a “possible human carcinogen.”
Concern 3: Children are in particular danger from these emissions as their head sizes are smaller, their skulls are thinner and their bodies are still growing. A study is underway that will further evaluate the effects of cell phones on children. It can be reviewed at: http://www.mbkds.net (results due in 2013)
Concern 4: Those who live near cell phone towers are exposed to radiofrequency radiation 24 hours a day. During that time there are higher and lower exposure levels. General symptoms include headaches, fatigue, concentration problems, dizziness, insomnia, depression, appetite loss, skin rashes, and discomfort.
Concern 5: Cell phone radiation damages DNA, an undisputed cause of cancer and male fertility is damaged by cell phone radiation. For medical research articles visit www.getthecelloutatl.org.
Any financial gain DeKalb County School System hopes to receive in return for the cell tower lease would clearly not be worth risking the lives and health of our children and community. If cell phones are now rated as “possible human carcinogen,” then we need to be concerned about cell phone towers.
RESPONSE FROM CEO ELLIS'S OFFICE: Does This Seem Right to You?
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 2:39:30 PM
Subject: RE: cell tower at MLK Jr. H.S.
(click headline for the full story)
Dear (Get the Cell Out - Atlanta):
Your email has been forwarded to the Office of CEO Burrell Ellis. Thank you for writing and expressing your concerns. After discussing with Planning staff, we have learned that the school system is exempt from county zoning ordinances, and that the towers are to be located on school system property, of which the CEO or BOC has no oversight or jurisdiction. ...
However, in the event that a permit application is filed, the County performs an inspection of the site, but has no approval authority on the erection of cell towers.*
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Special Assistant, DeKalb County Government
330 W. Ponce De Leon, Decatur, GA 30030
office: (404) 371-6304 | fax: (404) 371-6291 |
(* we believe the author meant "on school property" because otherwise this statement would be incorrect They do have the approval authority of all other cell towers. At GTCO-ATL, we believe they should have the same authority for cell towers at schools. Just because the school is exempt should not mean that the business that is building a for-profit structure on leased property should be allowed to 'inherit' that same exemption... should they?)
Caption: Did you know? The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), the same category that includes exhaust fumes from automobiles. So, why do our schools appear to be concerned about one, and not the other?
Residents and taxpayers in DeKalb County:
If you are like us, it probably does not make you feel very happy or safe to know that cell towers, which are huge structures normally seen only in Industrial locations or along Interstates far away from homes or schools, can be constructed in the middle of a residential community, on public school property that's actively being used for education of children, the group of people most susceptible to possible harm from RF Radiation.
These dangerous towers that emit radiation and contain HAZMAT materials at the bottom are normally expected to meet the approval of the county commissioners and pass the zoning and permitting authorities which involves public notice and comment. But, at least here in DeKalb County, the cell companies can avoid all the red tape including paying property taxes as long as they go up on school property. They do not have to follow any criteria that has been set forth to protect the public and maintain property values.
They only need approval from a school board that's willing to lease its property to them. And, this, too, can be accomplished without notification to the public. The people being affected by the decisions - the children who attend the schools and the people who pay the taxes to support the school - are completely left out of the process by which the decision is made.
If you are not satisfied with a government that is leaving you out of the equation, we suggest you try to voice your concern at the next Community Council Meeting for your district.
Community Councils are advisory groups of DeKalb County citizens that review applications for land use map amendments and zoning applications such as special land use permits, rezones, and amendments to the text of the zoning ordinance. There are five Community Councils, one for each Board of Commissioners district.
The Councils meet every other month if there are zoning or land use map amendment applications for property within their district. Meetings are held at neighborhood libraries or other County facilities, and are facilitated by DeKalb County staff.
At the Community Council meetings, the public has an opportunity to discuss zoning or land use map amendment applications that will eventually be decided upon by the Board of Commissioners. After the Community Council meetings, the public has opportunities to comment on applications at public hearings that are held by the Planning Commission and by the Board of Commissioners.
For details about when the next meeting will be held for your zone, click here: http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/planning/pdf/calendars/ccSchedule.pdf. We suggest you try to talk to them now BEFORE a cell tower shows up next door to your home or at your child's school. Let's get some answers and try to make our system work the way it was supposed to work - to protect the citizens, especially those who are too young to have a voice to speak up for themselves.
Subject: RE: cell tower at MLK Jr. H.S.
(click headline for the full story)
Dear (Get the Cell Out - Atlanta):
Your email has been forwarded to the Office of CEO Burrell Ellis. Thank you for writing and expressing your concerns. After discussing with Planning staff, we have learned that the school system is exempt from county zoning ordinances, and that the towers are to be located on school system property, of which the CEO or BOC has no oversight or jurisdiction. ...
However, in the event that a permit application is filed, the County performs an inspection of the site, but has no approval authority on the erection of cell towers.*
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Special Assistant, DeKalb County Government
330 W. Ponce De Leon, Decatur, GA 30030
office: (404) 371-6304 | fax: (404) 371-6291 |
(* we believe the author meant "on school property" because otherwise this statement would be incorrect They do have the approval authority of all other cell towers. At GTCO-ATL, we believe they should have the same authority for cell towers at schools. Just because the school is exempt should not mean that the business that is building a for-profit structure on leased property should be allowed to 'inherit' that same exemption... should they?)
Caption: Did you know? The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), the same category that includes exhaust fumes from automobiles. So, why do our schools appear to be concerned about one, and not the other?
Residents and taxpayers in DeKalb County:
If you are like us, it probably does not make you feel very happy or safe to know that cell towers, which are huge structures normally seen only in Industrial locations or along Interstates far away from homes or schools, can be constructed in the middle of a residential community, on public school property that's actively being used for education of children, the group of people most susceptible to possible harm from RF Radiation.
These dangerous towers that emit radiation and contain HAZMAT materials at the bottom are normally expected to meet the approval of the county commissioners and pass the zoning and permitting authorities which involves public notice and comment. But, at least here in DeKalb County, the cell companies can avoid all the red tape including paying property taxes as long as they go up on school property. They do not have to follow any criteria that has been set forth to protect the public and maintain property values.
They only need approval from a school board that's willing to lease its property to them. And, this, too, can be accomplished without notification to the public. The people being affected by the decisions - the children who attend the schools and the people who pay the taxes to support the school - are completely left out of the process by which the decision is made.
If you are not satisfied with a government that is leaving you out of the equation, we suggest you try to voice your concern at the next Community Council Meeting for your district.
Community Councils are advisory groups of DeKalb County citizens that review applications for land use map amendments and zoning applications such as special land use permits, rezones, and amendments to the text of the zoning ordinance. There are five Community Councils, one for each Board of Commissioners district.
The Councils meet every other month if there are zoning or land use map amendment applications for property within their district. Meetings are held at neighborhood libraries or other County facilities, and are facilitated by DeKalb County staff.
At the Community Council meetings, the public has an opportunity to discuss zoning or land use map amendment applications that will eventually be decided upon by the Board of Commissioners. After the Community Council meetings, the public has opportunities to comment on applications at public hearings that are held by the Planning Commission and by the Board of Commissioners.
For details about when the next meeting will be held for your zone, click here: http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/planning/pdf/calendars/ccSchedule.pdf. We suggest you try to talk to them now BEFORE a cell tower shows up next door to your home or at your child's school. Let's get some answers and try to make our system work the way it was supposed to work - to protect the citizens, especially those who are too young to have a voice to speak up for themselves.
LETTER: Our Letter to Our School Board Rep. Paul Womack - This Issue is Not About One School, it is About All Schools
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 1:49 PM
Subject: Cell Tower proposal by T-Mobile
(click headline for the full story)
Mr. Womack,
We would like to protest the proposal that was made by T-Mobile to our community at a meeting held at Brockett Elementary School on May 4, 2011. We have copied Thomas Bowen on this email as he is the chairperson. We are also sending a similar letter to Lyndia Maugborne, our school principal. We wish to urge both of you to fairly represent us and vote against the cell tower construction. The focus of our concern involves four areas:
1.) First, T-Mobile has not followed proper procedures of notification to the residents in the affected area or a public forum for discussion by both sides. The parents and guardians of children at the school are not the only ones with a vested interest in the impact the proposed tower would have on the community. Therefore, we object to the improper notification. Even the notice that was given to parents of Brockett Elementary school students was vague and did not convey the true purpose of the meeting.
2.) Second, we object to the cell tower proposal based on issues related to the health and welfare of the residents in the surrounding community including the children who attend Brockett Elementary and other schools as outlined by the cell company proposal.
There has been much research done that indicates prolonged exposure to even at low levels of this radiation causes damage to cell tissue and DNA, and it has been linked to brain tumors, cancer, suppressed immune function, depression, miscarriage, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous other serious illnesses. [1]
Children are at the greatest risk, due to their thinner skulls, and rapid rate of growth. Also at greater risk are the elderly, the frail, and pregnant women. Doctors from the United Kingdom have issued warnings urging children under 16 not to use cell phones, to reduce their exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation. [2]
At the very least, we urge the school board to delay decision until the results of the study by MOBI-KIDS is completed in 2013. This international study will provide insight as to the effects of cellular use on children. http://www.mbkds.com/
We have read your open letter regarding the need for ethics at this school board and we sincerely hope that you will stand by your words and look at this decision from an ethical perspective, not simply a financial one. Allowing something of this magnitude to fly "under the radar" with parents so that it might be passeed into the hands of a system without a superintendent and a history of mismanaging funds would be a highly distrubing decision. And, to ignore the studies that have been done is irresponsible. The board must consider all available information and put that together with the fact that the simple fear alone that this proposal has generated among those in the community who are aware of it, should be a sign that it is not in the best interest of the school or the children.
Caption for photo at left:
WARNING: Would this be enough warning to keep your 2nd grader from hopping a fence? A T-mobile site we located in Tucker, GA, was found with a warning sign knocked on its side and overgrown shurbs blocking the view. Are these conditions what we can expect once the cell towers go up at our 9 DeKalb Schools? And how many schools will be on the next list? They didn't warn us? What makes you think they might warn you?
3.) Third, we wish to protest the cell tower construction based on the rights of property owners in the surrounding community. The Federal Communications Act of 1996 states that property values and aesthetics are valid reasons for a municipality to deny zoning for a cell tower or antenna. It is our belief that the towers would create an eyesore in the community even if an attempt is made to disguise the tower as a tree. The unsightly tower along with fear of living near one would result in lower property values which, in turn, would lower the amount of property tax collected. A cost / benefit analysis has not been conducted that would take this fact into account.
4.) And, finally, we protest based on the fact that there is not a need for better cellular coverage in our area. T-mobile lists its current strength for both voice and data at or near the strongest levels possible. The coverage can be verified for both voice and data by entering the 30084 zip code on this page:
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx. In addition, a pending merger with AT&T would significantly change the needs of T-mobile and could render all agreements to be null & void. I don't know any fair-minded individual who would enter into a contract of this proportion with a company that has publically stated it is in the process of being bought out by another entity and will therefore cease to exist. That's simply bad business.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We will follow this issue closely and urge our friends and neighbors to do the same. We proudly join the growing community of citizens across the country who are standing up to these assaults and helping deciding bodies such as yours to do the right thing for the students and community that lives near and supports the school.
We expect you will take the community and parent protests seriously and consider our messages carefully before rendering the best decision for the future of DeKalb and our children. Brockett Elementary has been a part of our community for 50 years. We hope it will continue to be a source of pride for us, not a reason for us to be forced to abandon our school and possibly even our homes. Please vote 'NO' against any proposal to locate a cell tower at our school, or others in our county. Please make us proud that Paul Womack truly is willing to stand up to any opposition and represent fairly the opinions of the members in his district, with an ethical code that is in tact even where others may fall short.
1 Microwave and Radio Frequency Radiation Exposure, San Francisco Medicine , Vol. 74, No 3, March 2001
2 Mobiles Risk to children, Daily Mail (U.K.), May 11, 2000
Subject: Cell Tower proposal by T-Mobile
(click headline for the full story)
Mr. Womack,
We would like to protest the proposal that was made by T-Mobile to our community at a meeting held at Brockett Elementary School on May 4, 2011. We have copied Thomas Bowen on this email as he is the chairperson. We are also sending a similar letter to Lyndia Maugborne, our school principal. We wish to urge both of you to fairly represent us and vote against the cell tower construction. The focus of our concern involves four areas:
1.) First, T-Mobile has not followed proper procedures of notification to the residents in the affected area or a public forum for discussion by both sides. The parents and guardians of children at the school are not the only ones with a vested interest in the impact the proposed tower would have on the community. Therefore, we object to the improper notification. Even the notice that was given to parents of Brockett Elementary school students was vague and did not convey the true purpose of the meeting.
2.) Second, we object to the cell tower proposal based on issues related to the health and welfare of the residents in the surrounding community including the children who attend Brockett Elementary and other schools as outlined by the cell company proposal.
There has been much research done that indicates prolonged exposure to even at low levels of this radiation causes damage to cell tissue and DNA, and it has been linked to brain tumors, cancer, suppressed immune function, depression, miscarriage, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous other serious illnesses. [1]
Children are at the greatest risk, due to their thinner skulls, and rapid rate of growth. Also at greater risk are the elderly, the frail, and pregnant women. Doctors from the United Kingdom have issued warnings urging children under 16 not to use cell phones, to reduce their exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation. [2]
At the very least, we urge the school board to delay decision until the results of the study by MOBI-KIDS is completed in 2013. This international study will provide insight as to the effects of cellular use on children. http://www.mbkds.com/
We have read your open letter regarding the need for ethics at this school board and we sincerely hope that you will stand by your words and look at this decision from an ethical perspective, not simply a financial one. Allowing something of this magnitude to fly "under the radar" with parents so that it might be passeed into the hands of a system without a superintendent and a history of mismanaging funds would be a highly distrubing decision. And, to ignore the studies that have been done is irresponsible. The board must consider all available information and put that together with the fact that the simple fear alone that this proposal has generated among those in the community who are aware of it, should be a sign that it is not in the best interest of the school or the children.
WARNING: Would this be enough warning to keep your 2nd grader from hopping a fence? A T-mobile site we located in Tucker, GA, was found with a warning sign knocked on its side and overgrown shurbs blocking the view. Are these conditions what we can expect once the cell towers go up at our 9 DeKalb Schools? And how many schools will be on the next list? They didn't warn us? What makes you think they might warn you?
3.) Third, we wish to protest the cell tower construction based on the rights of property owners in the surrounding community. The Federal Communications Act of 1996 states that property values and aesthetics are valid reasons for a municipality to deny zoning for a cell tower or antenna. It is our belief that the towers would create an eyesore in the community even if an attempt is made to disguise the tower as a tree. The unsightly tower along with fear of living near one would result in lower property values which, in turn, would lower the amount of property tax collected. A cost / benefit analysis has not been conducted that would take this fact into account.
4.) And, finally, we protest based on the fact that there is not a need for better cellular coverage in our area. T-mobile lists its current strength for both voice and data at or near the strongest levels possible. The coverage can be verified for both voice and data by entering the 30084 zip code on this page:
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx. In addition, a pending merger with AT&T would significantly change the needs of T-mobile and could render all agreements to be null & void. I don't know any fair-minded individual who would enter into a contract of this proportion with a company that has publically stated it is in the process of being bought out by another entity and will therefore cease to exist. That's simply bad business.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We will follow this issue closely and urge our friends and neighbors to do the same. We proudly join the growing community of citizens across the country who are standing up to these assaults and helping deciding bodies such as yours to do the right thing for the students and community that lives near and supports the school.
We expect you will take the community and parent protests seriously and consider our messages carefully before rendering the best decision for the future of DeKalb and our children. Brockett Elementary has been a part of our community for 50 years. We hope it will continue to be a source of pride for us, not a reason for us to be forced to abandon our school and possibly even our homes. Please vote 'NO' against any proposal to locate a cell tower at our school, or others in our county. Please make us proud that Paul Womack truly is willing to stand up to any opposition and represent fairly the opinions of the members in his district, with an ethical code that is in tact even where others may fall short.
1 Microwave and Radio Frequency Radiation Exposure, San Francisco Medicine , Vol. 74, No 3, March 2001
2 Mobiles Risk to children, Daily Mail (U.K.), May 11, 2000
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Meeting Tonight at MLK, Jr. High School: Open to the Public
Pending final confirmation, a meeting is scheduled for:
Date: Tonight, Tuesday, October 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. High School
PLEASE NOTE: It is preferred that children do not attend this meeting as it will be covering serious subject matters requiring your attention. If other arrangements cannot be made and your child or children must attend, please plan to bring something with you that will keep them entertained quietly so as to not interrupt the speaker(s) or create a disturbance.
Jay Cunningham, school board member for District 5, will discuss:
The meeting is open to the public. Parents and members of the communities surrounding the following schools are urged to attend as they are a part of District 5 and decisions made regarding public school property being leased to commercial entities for the sole purpose of making profit from the surrounding communities is an issue that will set a precedent that may affect all schools in the district:
Elementary Schools
Browns Mill ES
Canby Lane ES
Murphey Candler ES
Chapel Hill ES
Edward L. Bouie Theme ES
Fairington ES
* Flat Rock ES
* Narvie Harris ES
Marbut Theme ES
Bob Mathis ES
Rainbow ES
Stoneview ES
Middle Schools
Chapel Hill MS
Columbia MS
Lithonia MS
Miller Grove MS
Salem MS
High Schools
* M.L. King Jr. HS
Lithonia HS
Miller Grove HS
Southwest DeKalb HS
Other Schools, Centers, and Facilities
Arabia Mountain HS
DeKalb Transition Academy
Wesley Chapel Center
* Schools marked with an asterix are already approved for cell towers.
Other cell tower schools that may wish to send parent or community representatives include:
Jolly Elementary School
Lakeside High School
Margaret Harris Comprehensive School
Princeton Elementary School
Briarlake Elementary
Smoke Rise Elementary School
Mr. Jesse Jay Cunningham Jr. Contact Details:
Work Phone: 678.676.0027
Email: jay_cunningham@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Before tonight's meeting at 7 p.m. at MLK, Jr. High School, it is recommended that you watch this video of the school board vote:
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/pds24/vod/
Scroll down until you locate the July 11, 2011, work session and business meeting link.
Skip to 2:41:30 in the video.
NOTE: It is important to watch the video as transcripts provided from the meeting are not fully accurate.
And, that you review this article: http://www.crossroadsnews.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Cell+Towers+Going+to+Schools%20&id=14780495
And, please read the transcript from the meeting regarding cell towers that was held at Brairlake Elementary School with board member Paul Womack:
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/transcript-from-briarcliff-es-pta.html
Date: Tonight, Tuesday, October 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. High School
PLEASE NOTE: It is preferred that children do not attend this meeting as it will be covering serious subject matters requiring your attention. If other arrangements cannot be made and your child or children must attend, please plan to bring something with you that will keep them entertained quietly so as to not interrupt the speaker(s) or create a disturbance.
Jay Cunningham, school board member for District 5, will discuss:
* The T-mobile cell tower approval for MLK High School
* Status of Funding and Construction for the Current SPLOST III project (MLK addition)
* SPLOST IV project list
The meeting is open to the public. Parents and members of the communities surrounding the following schools are urged to attend as they are a part of District 5 and decisions made regarding public school property being leased to commercial entities for the sole purpose of making profit from the surrounding communities is an issue that will set a precedent that may affect all schools in the district:
Elementary Schools
Browns Mill ES
Canby Lane ES
Murphey Candler ES
Chapel Hill ES
Edward L. Bouie Theme ES
Fairington ES
* Flat Rock ES
* Narvie Harris ES
Marbut Theme ES
Bob Mathis ES
Rainbow ES
Stoneview ES
Middle Schools
Chapel Hill MS
Columbia MS
Lithonia MS
Miller Grove MS
Salem MS
High Schools
* M.L. King Jr. HS
Lithonia HS
Miller Grove HS
Southwest DeKalb HS
Other Schools, Centers, and Facilities
Arabia Mountain HS
DeKalb Transition Academy
Wesley Chapel Center
* Schools marked with an asterix are already approved for cell towers.
Other cell tower schools that may wish to send parent or community representatives include:
Jolly Elementary School
Lakeside High School
Margaret Harris Comprehensive School
Princeton Elementary School
Briarlake Elementary
Smoke Rise Elementary School
Mr. Jesse Jay Cunningham Jr. Contact Details:
Work Phone: 678.676.0027
Email: jay_cunningham@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Before tonight's meeting at 7 p.m. at MLK, Jr. High School, it is recommended that you watch this video of the school board vote:
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/pds24/vod/
Scroll down until you locate the July 11, 2011, work session and business meeting link.
Skip to 2:41:30 in the video.
NOTE: It is important to watch the video as transcripts provided from the meeting are not fully accurate.
And, that you review this article: http://www.crossroadsnews.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Cell+Towers+Going+to+Schools%20&id=14780495
And, please read the transcript from the meeting regarding cell towers that was held at Brairlake Elementary School with board member Paul Womack:
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/transcript-from-briarcliff-es-pta.html
Why is Georgia so Behind the Times?
It is frustrating to those of us who are concerned about the DeKalb County School Board's July, 2011 decision to put cell towers at 9 schools (5 elementary, 2 high school, 1 comprehensive school for children with disabilities) to have to constantly debate the issue of health and safety with people who just refuse to believe there could be valid concerns being rasied.
What adds to our frustration is reading news headlines like this one:
REP. FLOREN VOTES TO REQUIRE STATE TO CONSIDER SCHOOLS WHEN SITING CELL TOWERS (HARTFORD). At first it appears we have support for our cause in other states, as the debate is going on all over our country and the globe. Then, we notice this part: April 27th, 2010. Yes, that's right, 2010.
There was legislation introduced in Hartford, CT, in April of 2010 to make sure cell towers could not be sited within 750 feet of a school unless the Siting Council finds that there are no economically feasible alternative sites within the municipality. And the bill passed the House of Representatives unamimously 139-0.
So, if we can find news like this online with a simple Google search, why is our school board claiming to have no knowledge about the dangers associated with cell towers and the need to keep them at a safe distance from schools? Why want to make sure we work together for a better DeKalb and reduce our current trends toward over-taxation and increased poverty with declining test scores and high drop-out rates.
Shouldn't we all be on the same side?
(Reprinted in part. See http://repfloren.com/?p=187 for more details and video. Original by: jdooley Wednesday, April 28th, 2010)
What adds to our frustration is reading news headlines like this one:
REP. FLOREN VOTES TO REQUIRE STATE TO CONSIDER SCHOOLS WHEN SITING CELL TOWERS (HARTFORD). At first it appears we have support for our cause in other states, as the debate is going on all over our country and the globe. Then, we notice this part: April 27th, 2010. Yes, that's right, 2010.
There was legislation introduced in Hartford, CT, in April of 2010 to make sure cell towers could not be sited within 750 feet of a school unless the Siting Council finds that there are no economically feasible alternative sites within the municipality. And the bill passed the House of Representatives unamimously 139-0.
“This cell tower language seeks to put added focus on the safety of children, students, and adults who work in schools first when siting cell towers in the vicinity of these venues,” said Rep. Camillo, a member of the Environment Committee.
So, if we can find news like this online with a simple Google search, why is our school board claiming to have no knowledge about the dangers associated with cell towers and the need to keep them at a safe distance from schools? Why want to make sure we work together for a better DeKalb and reduce our current trends toward over-taxation and increased poverty with declining test scores and high drop-out rates.
Shouldn't we all be on the same side?
(Reprinted in part. See http://repfloren.com/?p=187 for more details and video. Original by: jdooley Wednesday, April 28th, 2010)
Monday, October 24, 2011
Coming to a School Near You - RF Radiation 24/7
ATTN: Do you live near any of these schools? Flat Rock Elementary School, Jolly Elementary School, Lakeside High School, Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, M.L. King, Jr. High School, Narvie Harris Elementary School, Princeton Elementary School, Briarlake Elementary and Smoke Rise Elementary School.
Some international studies profiled on www.centerforsaferwireless.org/Living-Near-Cell-Towers.php
have found the following symptoms reported by people forced to live near cell tower base stations:
“sleep disorders (58%), headaches (41%), nervousness or distress (19%), fatigue (18%), and concentration difficulties were most common complaints. Complainants related their symptoms most frequently to exposure to mobile phone base stations…”
"...headache, sleep disturbance, discomfort, etc. 100m for irritability, depression, loss of memory, dizziness, libido decrease, etc. Women significantly more often than men (p<0.05) complained of headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, depression, discomfort and visual perturbations.”
“People living in the vicinity of base stations report various complaints mostly of the circulatory system, but also of sleep disturbances, irritability, depression, blurred vision, concentration difficulties, nausea, lack of appetite, headache and vertigo.”
"Exposure was associated with discomfort, irritability, appetite loss, fatigue, headache, difficulties concentrating and sleep disturbance."
So, do YOU know where DeKalb County's School Board has allowed T-mobile's next set of cell towers to go? If not, you better check the map below because, chances are pretty good there might be one coming to a school near year. If not, just wait. If the county or the taxpayers do not stand up to this illegal signing of a lease for active school property to a commercial entity without public input, it will become an increasingly easier action to take when they need extra money for a pet project or to cover up money already missing from our general fund.
Click on photo to see enlarged version.
If you have a tower on the way or want to speak up now before it happens to you, please use the link on the left column of this site to sign our petiton. And, call your county and state representatives to let them know that you want to GET THE CELL OUT OF DEKALB COUNTY residentially zoned neighborhoods and public schools!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Save the Date: DCSS Board Meeting: Monday, Nov. 7th, 6 p.m.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Mon., Nov. 7, 6 p.m.
And the SPLOST IV vote will take place on Tues., Nov. 8, anytime your polling place is open. Early voting takes place the week prior.
Do not be fooled by those who would like for you to think you have to vote yes if you want to see changes fully funded for our schools. The people who want a yes are likely expecting a positive outcome for their school, but that is not enough of a reason to justify allocating this much money into the hands of people who will use it for their own personal gain. We can wait until the new superintendent has cleaned house and presented her own plan. The current tax is still in effect through 2012 and SPLOST IV can be revisited down the road.
Remember, it's okay to THINK YES (to education) but VOTE NO (to this SPLOST list that was not prepared by our new superintendent).
SPLOST IV:
We need to push back and force the board to take back the Homestead Exemption so that property owners (the stakeholders in Education) will get a wake-up call. If we do not alert them that this board needs to be voted out, they will likely approved the incumbants and we will still have the corruption in our administrative office that has already cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINIG:
We will be bringing a copy of our Get the Cell Out of DeKalb County Schools petition to deliver in hardcopy format to the entire board. A copy will also be sent via certified mail to the Interim Director of Planning and the CEO of our county.
If you have a cell tower coming to your school or community and were not informed about it until it was too late to voice your concerns, we encourage you to attend this meeting and stay around afterwards to speak with the news media that has been following this issue. We are hoping to have a large showing (100-200) at this meeting representing our concerns and requesting reconsideration of the Board's vote on behalf of all the schools that have been named in the T-mobile proposal given to the board in May and rushed to vote in early July.
Here is a link to the July meeting where they voted the cell towers in: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/pds24/vod/
Show up at least by 5:00 to get on the list to speak. If you have more than one spot already reserved and will be presenting opposition for only one school, please consider checking in with us before the meeting to voluntarily offer any extra spots to any schools that have not been represented. We have to remain united if we wish to save our entire county from this fate. If we are not coordinated in our efforts, the board will seek to divide us and offer deals to only a few. When a tower goes up at one school, it affects all schools as a precedent will be set allowing cell towers, or any other form of commercial enterprise, to operate their for-profit structures on public property actively being used for educational purposes. If you do not have children currently in this system or your school was not selected, thank you for reading our website and keeping tabs with this subject as your school may be next and you need to be prepared. The best way to save your own school or neighborhood from this same fate is to stand up with us and help stop the FIRST TOWER from ever going up. T-mobile will find another location and have to pay taxes like any other commercial operation instead of hiding out on our school grounds and distracting motorists driving near our school or interrupting our children when they are trying to learn or disrupting their sleep patterns if they live nearby as often is reported as a symptom of living near a cell tower.
Address:
DeKalb County School System
Administrative & Instructional Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Phone: 678.676.1200
Fax: 678.676.0785
School Board policy on public relations:
MISSION: To promote a positive environment in DeKalb County schools in which there is an awareness of, involvement in, and support for the system and its educational mission.
The DeKalb County Board of Education believes (1) that the public schools belong to the people who create them by consent and support them by taxation; (2) that the schools are only as strong as the informed DeKalb citizens and knowledgeable school system staff; and (3) that this support is based on knowledge of, understanding about, and participation in the aims and efforts of the public schools.
The Board affirms, through policies and goals, its commitment (1) to keep the citizens and staff of the system regularly and accurately informed, through appropriate means of communication, about policies, programs, problems, and planning of the school system; (2) to solicit the advice and counsel of parents, students, staff, and others on basic issues through appropriate channels (such as Parent Teacher Associations, advisory councils, and other community groups); (3) to charge the administrative, instructional, and operational staff with the duty to carry out this policy as an integral part of regular activities and responsibilities; and (4) to cooperate with the news media as the primary purveyors of public information, recognizing their right to all the facts and their obligation to publish them in a responsible manner.
Parents, students, staff, and others may, at any time, offer suggestions on policies by submitting in writing the suggested additions, changes, or deletions, to the policies to the office of the Superintendent for consideration and possible recommendation to the Board.
And the SPLOST IV vote will take place on Tues., Nov. 8, anytime your polling place is open. Early voting takes place the week prior.
Do not be fooled by those who would like for you to think you have to vote yes if you want to see changes fully funded for our schools. The people who want a yes are likely expecting a positive outcome for their school, but that is not enough of a reason to justify allocating this much money into the hands of people who will use it for their own personal gain. We can wait until the new superintendent has cleaned house and presented her own plan. The current tax is still in effect through 2012 and SPLOST IV can be revisited down the road.
Remember, it's okay to THINK YES (to education) but VOTE NO (to this SPLOST list that was not prepared by our new superintendent).
SPLOST IV:
We need to push back and force the board to take back the Homestead Exemption so that property owners (the stakeholders in Education) will get a wake-up call. If we do not alert them that this board needs to be voted out, they will likely approved the incumbants and we will still have the corruption in our administrative office that has already cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINIG:
We will be bringing a copy of our Get the Cell Out of DeKalb County Schools petition to deliver in hardcopy format to the entire board. A copy will also be sent via certified mail to the Interim Director of Planning and the CEO of our county.
If you have a cell tower coming to your school or community and were not informed about it until it was too late to voice your concerns, we encourage you to attend this meeting and stay around afterwards to speak with the news media that has been following this issue. We are hoping to have a large showing (100-200) at this meeting representing our concerns and requesting reconsideration of the Board's vote on behalf of all the schools that have been named in the T-mobile proposal given to the board in May and rushed to vote in early July.
Here is a link to the July meeting where they voted the cell towers in: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/pds24/vod/
Scroll down until you locate the July 11, 2011, work session and business meeting link.
Once it loads, please skip to 2:41:30 in the video.
Then grab some popcorn, and a notepad and try to follow along.
Take notes on who votes for what and also on what schools are mentioned and which ones are not.
And make note about what is said about the feedback the board has received from each of them.
Show up at least by 5:00 to get on the list to speak. If you have more than one spot already reserved and will be presenting opposition for only one school, please consider checking in with us before the meeting to voluntarily offer any extra spots to any schools that have not been represented. We have to remain united if we wish to save our entire county from this fate. If we are not coordinated in our efforts, the board will seek to divide us and offer deals to only a few. When a tower goes up at one school, it affects all schools as a precedent will be set allowing cell towers, or any other form of commercial enterprise, to operate their for-profit structures on public property actively being used for educational purposes. If you do not have children currently in this system or your school was not selected, thank you for reading our website and keeping tabs with this subject as your school may be next and you need to be prepared. The best way to save your own school or neighborhood from this same fate is to stand up with us and help stop the FIRST TOWER from ever going up. T-mobile will find another location and have to pay taxes like any other commercial operation instead of hiding out on our school grounds and distracting motorists driving near our school or interrupting our children when they are trying to learn or disrupting their sleep patterns if they live nearby as often is reported as a symptom of living near a cell tower.
Address:
DeKalb County School System
Administrative & Instructional Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Phone: 678.676.1200
Fax: 678.676.0785
School Board policy on public relations:
MISSION: To promote a positive environment in DeKalb County schools in which there is an awareness of, involvement in, and support for the system and its educational mission.
The DeKalb County Board of Education believes (1) that the public schools belong to the people who create them by consent and support them by taxation; (2) that the schools are only as strong as the informed DeKalb citizens and knowledgeable school system staff; and (3) that this support is based on knowledge of, understanding about, and participation in the aims and efforts of the public schools.
The Board affirms, through policies and goals, its commitment (1) to keep the citizens and staff of the system regularly and accurately informed, through appropriate means of communication, about policies, programs, problems, and planning of the school system; (2) to solicit the advice and counsel of parents, students, staff, and others on basic issues through appropriate channels (such as Parent Teacher Associations, advisory councils, and other community groups); (3) to charge the administrative, instructional, and operational staff with the duty to carry out this policy as an integral part of regular activities and responsibilities; and (4) to cooperate with the news media as the primary purveyors of public information, recognizing their right to all the facts and their obligation to publish them in a responsible manner.
Parents, students, staff, and others may, at any time, offer suggestions on policies by submitting in writing the suggested additions, changes, or deletions, to the policies to the office of the Superintendent for consideration and possible recommendation to the Board.
LETTERS TO OUR LEADERS: Hello. Is there anybody out there?
From time to time, with permission, we will print examples of some real letters that have been sent to our various school board, county and state oficials. These letters are offered as examples of the support we are receiving for our countywide, combined effort to stop cell towers from being placed on public school proerty.
Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter was formed to help inform the parents and community members surrounding 12 schools named by T-mobile in a proposal submitted to our school board. The board elected to approve towers for 9 of those schools properties for a lease of 30 years each. These 2 high schools, 1 comprehensive school and 6 elementary schools will have to give up a large 60' x 60' square area (larger than a typical house in most areas) and endure round the clock mainenance of a structure that is 150' tall (taller than the tallest tree).
These spaces are ones that are on campuses currently in use and supported by taxpayers. The lease will allow a corporate entity (T-mobile) to avoid certain commercial taxes, avoid following the county's approved regulations for the siting of cell towers and avoid public notification and input into the process.
To date, the final, signed lease agreement has not been posted by the school board for inspection or review as is required by the Georgia Open Records Law despire written requests send by at least two individuals in the county working with GTCO-ATL.
In addition, the board may have violated several state rules regarding use of active school property for commercial purposes, informing the community about issues of controversy in order to provide public input before rendering a decision and voting on a matter not related to education by board members who have a personal stake in the outcome.
By remaining quiet about this issue, other communities may soon find their own school on a similar list this year as the precedent shall be set if there is no strong protest or opposition to the actions that have alredy taken place. If you are disturbed by this idea, please take the time today to email, write or call your elected officials. And, please don't foget to sign our countywide petition. You may indicate a specific school in your comments if you wish to identify your specific concern. The petition can be found at the top, left of our page or directly at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL.
Here are our first few exerpts. As a special note, the fist note helped restore our faith that there are still people out there who are willing to stand up for what is right, so thank you to its author!
____________D e a r J a y _______________________________
Oct. 10, 2011
Dear Jay, (cc to all other board members)
... (letter edited for privacy and for space constraints)
I and my neighbors are strongly opposed to the proposed T-mobile cell phone tower and very disturbed by the fact that the directly affected neighborhoods (Meadowbrook Glen, Dogwood Manor, Rivermist, Dogwood Hills) were not made aware of this beforehand. When we walk around the school down to the nature trail, there are no signs posted about the proposed cell phone tower as signs are normally be posted for other proposed developments. For your information, when MLK H.S. was being planned, we invited Dr. Stan Pritchard to our homeowner meeting and he who showed us the plans and answered our questions. We suggested another access road to alleviate traffic which was built as the back entrance to the school. With this cell phone tower project, we were not extended the same courtesy. Hence, you all are now experiencing an uproar or backlash which could have been avoided.
Additionally, property values in zip code 30038 have severely declined over the past few years. A cell phone tower located in a residential area will surely have a negative effect on the value of our property. I understand the school may receive a small amount of money over a long period of time from this arrangement but I don't think it's worth it. Surely there are other ways to get revenue for the school that will keep intact a positive relationship with property owners who fund the school system.
If you all decided to not build these towers at other schools that were on the original list of 12 you should have decided not to do it at the remaining 9 schools. I would say none of these towers need to be built in residential areas. The cellphone companies do have other options. Someone suggested this as an easier way and did not think of or care about the residual effect on the community because they don't live here. But we do and you do. The school and the community are one. We see you at church, in the grocery store, at the mall, etc. By the way, when I shop, I stay local (in Dekalb county) so that my tax dollars go to support our schools and facilities.
I have lived in this neighborhood for over 20 years. I love MLK H. S. and the area. That's why we stayed here when we could have gone elsewhere. You must consider the neighborhoods that would be affected by this project and listen to their concerns. It is only the right thing to do. It's hard trying to keep up with all of these issues when you work full time to support your family and I shouldn't have to take off from work to voice my opinion to you in one of your meetings but I will if that is the only way you will believe that we are opposed to this project. This is very important to me.
____________D e a r M s. T y s o n _______________________________
July 7, 2011
Dear Ms. Tyson, (edited for privacy and space concerns)
I am writing to you because my prior letters to my principal,
representative and super-district representative have not been responded
to and I am hoping you can help.
I am having difficulty determining when you are expected to have a
discussion and possible vote regarding the 12 cell towers proposed for
DeKalb County. I have submitted a request to Mr. Donahue for a copy of the proposal so that the parents and the public may see it. We cannot be asked to assume a risk without even knowing what the benefits may be. Perhaps
it would shed light on the reason you would even consider this proposal,
but in my opinion, my child's health is not worth any amount of money,
especially since coverage in our area for cell service is fine.
The money being offered does not compare to what they would have to pay
for a commercial location and, even at that we have not even seen what
kind of money they have even offered. Please do not be the board that goes down in our history for allowing a bad business deal go through. You could harm our children and it will lead to lower enrollment which could eventually close our schools.
Cell towers have nothing to do with education. They are dangerous structures that have been known to fall over, contain HAZMAT materials at the base and produce RF radiation which is a known carcinigen at high levels and a possible carcinigen at low levels. They invite strangers to our
schools on a 24/7 full access basis, they present traffic problem, noise
problems, lighting problems, dangers from falling debris. They are not
wanted by the neighborhoods and will cause further decline in our
property values and further decline in our belief in our school system.
Please do the right thing and remove this agenda item permanently. All
eyes are on you now. Please do the right thing.
_________ More to Come _____________________
Federal standard for cellphone radiation underestimates impact on kids -- report
(Monday, October 17, 2011) Jeremy P. Jacobs, E&E reporter
Reprinted with permission from Greenwire, a division of E&E Publishing, LLC
The federal standard for measuring how much radiation humans absorb from cellphones is outdated and grossly underestimates the amount smaller adults and children retain, according to a study released today by a nonprofit advocacy group.
Researchers from the Environmental Health Trust say the finding raises significant questions about the potential health risks associated with cellphone use, particularly in children.
Devra Davis, formerly a Clinton administration adviser at the Health and Human Services Department and one of the paper's authors, said the Federal Communications Commission's current exposure limit for the maximum amount of cellphone radiation that will be absorbed into the brain and other parts of the body is based on a model using a 6-foot-2-inch 220-pound male.
That test, which Davis said was designed by industry, fails to take into account the larger impact radiation has on smaller adults and children.
"Right now the standards for all cellphones are based on a large and tall man," Davis said. "It's not relevant to toddlers and babies. ... They have absolutely no idea that they phones were never tested for them."
Davis also pointed out other flaws in the test's methodologies.
"The current standard is based on how long it takes to heat up a starving rat to get it to stop trying to find food," Davis said.
The study, which is published today in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, also found that children may absorb twice as much radiation in their heads than adults.
The research comes as there has been increased focus on whether cellphone radiation may cause cancer and other illnesses.
In May, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the radiation is "possibly carcinogenic" in humans, putting it third in WHO's risk hierarchy behind "carcinogenic" and "probably carcinogenic," (E&ENews PM, May 31).
That finding sent shock waves through the environmental and public health community. Scientific experts, however, have questioned whether cellphone radiation is associated with cancer. They have noted that the rate of brain cancers worldwide has not risen in correlation with the uptick in cellphone use. They have also said it is unclear how cellphone radiation affects human cells and, therefore, causes cancer.
Davis said FCC should switch to another radiation testing model that is already employed by the Food and Drug Administration. The alternative process uses an MRI to scan for radiation in every human tissue. It also uses a "virtual family" of test subjects, including children of multiple ages, adult men and women, as well as women who are at different stages of pregnancy.
FCC reviewed that process in 2001, Davis said, but has yet to implement it.
"They've approved a new standard and reviewed it," Davis said. "It's more precise and uses anatomically correct models."
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
DeKalb County - Why Bother? Why Care?
Well, here we are again. Back to square one. After fighting and campaigning against the cell tower that our DeKalb County School Board wanted to place at our child’s elementary school, my husband and I learned that our public school system is a lot different than what we expected it would be. After speaking up in an attempt to alert the other communities that were not as fortunate as we were to get our school removed from the list, we learned a lot more about school politics. The more we learn, the more we are forced to see the difference between our hopes and the reality that is DeKalb.
It isn’t really the fault of the community. They are doing the best they can to support our schools, but without children in attendance, how are they supposed to know what type of help the schools might need? In the past, children went door to door selling candy or magazines, with or without parents in tow. It gave neighbors a chance to contribute to a worthy cause, support the children and the neighborhood school and also learn about what was going on inside the school.
Neighbors felt more connected to each other back then. And, children learned some basic lessons about America - offer a good product at a reasonable price to people you know can afford it. Build trust with your customers and your efforts can do amazing things, especially when combined with similar hard work from the others on your team. And, by working extra hard, you might be rewarded personally with prizes and recognition from your peers.
These days, our schools are filled with children that come from all over the county and are more likely to transfer or drop out than they are to graduate. Neighbors who live near our schools may still believe their tax dollars are being directed toward helping the kids from the block, which would in turn help maintain or boost everyone’s property values nearby, including their own. That’s the way things used to work, right? That’s the way it is supposed to work.
I’m sure the Realtors are likely still using their same, worn-out sales pitches to tell potential homebuyers about the test scores and demographics that make up the nearby school as a way to justify the price or quality of “desirable” neighborhoods. I’m less sure they are including the page of information that includes recent trends because there probably are a bunch of arrows going in the wrong direction. The number of students considered at or below poverty level is growing and might soon be the picture we paint when talking about all of our schools if current trends continue.
We all make assumptions about how we think things are working because it might be too heavy of a dose of guilt if we allowed ourselves to see how things are really working. But, that isn’t really our fault, either. You can’t blame people for wanting to think positive, believe in the good nature of others or pray for a miracle. But, then again, when you have a system that is failing children, it is essentially failing all of us, past, present and future.
Failure to meet educational goals is a failure to respect our own history. As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are also disgracing his name. The high school in our own county that is named for the iconic civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, was selected by some unknown criteria to receive a cell tower on school property and the public was not properly notified.
Once we were able to finally get in touch with some people in the community in Lithonia to tell them about what was going on, they were ready to take action. They quickly organized an informational meeting and prepared to invite the community leaders to explain their actions. There was even talk of a peaceful protest, homemade signs, media coverage… but then they decided to cancel the meeting until further notice.
It seems that these days, even peaceful protesting will not get you very far. Just look at the Occupy Atlanta Group. They started out getting a lot of attenton, but when everyone realized that they would not really be making any demands and had no real exit strategy, the group sort of lost its appeal. It's hard to support a team you don't expect to win. It's even harder to protest something when it feels like you have already lost. But, we have been down this road before. And, we have learned that we are not alone. There are a lot of people who feel the same way we do, and our petition has never lost its forward momentum so we know that the more people we tell about what has happened, the more people will be prepared when it happens to them.
“They said it is a done deal,” said on GTCO-ATL member who had hoped to get some answers from the local board. “We are going to keep trying to figure out how this could have happened, but it sounds like it is already a done deal.”
So that leads us to question the future of our county, our schools, our collective dreams about the Atlanta we thought we knew. We were so proud to be a part of a great city that would show the rest of America that it is possible to live side by side with each other, integrating our schools, learning about each other’s cultures, educating and caring for all our children.
We never expected that our schools, of all things, would be the beginning of the downfall of our the prestige and momentum this city was gaining after hosting the Olympics in 1996. We never heard of SPLOST and didn’t know anyone who had ever been foreclosed on, or laid off or “furloughed.”
So, let us know what you think. Is this a fight worth continuing? Is there a way to get our government to pay attention and stop taking advantage of all of us? Is there any hope we can stop fighting among ourselves long enough to see the big picture so we can unite instead?
Do you realize that once a single tower goes up at a school, a door will have been opened for the school board to place any kind of commercial business they want on ACTIVE school property whenever they want? And with the no-zoning laws, they can select any type of business they want, even if it is offensive, dangerous or an eyesore that drags property values down.
They don’t care, but they don’t live here. We do. They don’t care, but it’s not their money. It’s ours and we just keep giving them more. They don’t care; they’re rich. Are you?
As we consider the options before us and we continue to make new friends along the way, we will be asking ourselves the same question we have asked so many time, "What can we do?" I hope that somehow that spirit will be contagious enough that you might ask yourself the same question. And, perhaps together we might be insired and lucky enough at the same time to find something that works!
IMPORTANT: Please urge your neighbors and friends to VOTE NO ON SPLOST IV on November 8, 2011.
Stop funding the projects of the people who did this to us.
Caption 1: Kids at Stone Mountain Playground help tell others about a cell tower coming to their school courtesy of T-mobile, DCSS and something called an "Administrative Permit" that means the public does not have a say in the zoning process and the schools are exempt from regulation.
Caption 2: A very large cell tower mast already functioning in DeKalb County and registered to AT&T. Where is it located? About .25 miles down the road from an elementary school that will also be getting a tower on their property and wi-fi in their classroom if the school board gets its way. The cumulative effects of multiple sources of low-level RF radiation is the subject of controversy as it has not been studied, is barely regulated and is suspected by the World Health Organization to be a possible human carcinigen that can lead to a variety of forms of cancer. It's effects on chilren are unknown but suspected to be more harmful as RF radiation attacks DNA cells and causes damage to them. These are the cells that children are still developing as their systems are not fully developed and are rapidly growing. In addition to cancer, a long list of symptoms are known to degrade the quality of life of those who are forced to live near a cell tower or attend a school that has one.
It isn’t really the fault of the community. They are doing the best they can to support our schools, but without children in attendance, how are they supposed to know what type of help the schools might need? In the past, children went door to door selling candy or magazines, with or without parents in tow. It gave neighbors a chance to contribute to a worthy cause, support the children and the neighborhood school and also learn about what was going on inside the school.
Neighbors felt more connected to each other back then. And, children learned some basic lessons about America - offer a good product at a reasonable price to people you know can afford it. Build trust with your customers and your efforts can do amazing things, especially when combined with similar hard work from the others on your team. And, by working extra hard, you might be rewarded personally with prizes and recognition from your peers.
These days, our schools are filled with children that come from all over the county and are more likely to transfer or drop out than they are to graduate. Neighbors who live near our schools may still believe their tax dollars are being directed toward helping the kids from the block, which would in turn help maintain or boost everyone’s property values nearby, including their own. That’s the way things used to work, right? That’s the way it is supposed to work.
I’m sure the Realtors are likely still using their same, worn-out sales pitches to tell potential homebuyers about the test scores and demographics that make up the nearby school as a way to justify the price or quality of “desirable” neighborhoods. I’m less sure they are including the page of information that includes recent trends because there probably are a bunch of arrows going in the wrong direction. The number of students considered at or below poverty level is growing and might soon be the picture we paint when talking about all of our schools if current trends continue.
We all make assumptions about how we think things are working because it might be too heavy of a dose of guilt if we allowed ourselves to see how things are really working. But, that isn’t really our fault, either. You can’t blame people for wanting to think positive, believe in the good nature of others or pray for a miracle. But, then again, when you have a system that is failing children, it is essentially failing all of us, past, present and future.
Failure to meet educational goals is a failure to respect our own history. As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are also disgracing his name. The high school in our own county that is named for the iconic civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, was selected by some unknown criteria to receive a cell tower on school property and the public was not properly notified.
Once we were able to finally get in touch with some people in the community in Lithonia to tell them about what was going on, they were ready to take action. They quickly organized an informational meeting and prepared to invite the community leaders to explain their actions. There was even talk of a peaceful protest, homemade signs, media coverage… but then they decided to cancel the meeting until further notice.
It seems that these days, even peaceful protesting will not get you very far. Just look at the Occupy Atlanta Group. They started out getting a lot of attenton, but when everyone realized that they would not really be making any demands and had no real exit strategy, the group sort of lost its appeal. It's hard to support a team you don't expect to win. It's even harder to protest something when it feels like you have already lost. But, we have been down this road before. And, we have learned that we are not alone. There are a lot of people who feel the same way we do, and our petition has never lost its forward momentum so we know that the more people we tell about what has happened, the more people will be prepared when it happens to them.
“They said it is a done deal,” said on GTCO-ATL member who had hoped to get some answers from the local board. “We are going to keep trying to figure out how this could have happened, but it sounds like it is already a done deal.”
So that leads us to question the future of our county, our schools, our collective dreams about the Atlanta we thought we knew. We were so proud to be a part of a great city that would show the rest of America that it is possible to live side by side with each other, integrating our schools, learning about each other’s cultures, educating and caring for all our children.
We never expected that our schools, of all things, would be the beginning of the downfall of our the prestige and momentum this city was gaining after hosting the Olympics in 1996. We never heard of SPLOST and didn’t know anyone who had ever been foreclosed on, or laid off or “furloughed.”
So, let us know what you think. Is this a fight worth continuing? Is there a way to get our government to pay attention and stop taking advantage of all of us? Is there any hope we can stop fighting among ourselves long enough to see the big picture so we can unite instead?
Do you realize that once a single tower goes up at a school, a door will have been opened for the school board to place any kind of commercial business they want on ACTIVE school property whenever they want? And with the no-zoning laws, they can select any type of business they want, even if it is offensive, dangerous or an eyesore that drags property values down.
They don’t care, but they don’t live here. We do. They don’t care, but it’s not their money. It’s ours and we just keep giving them more. They don’t care; they’re rich. Are you?
As we consider the options before us and we continue to make new friends along the way, we will be asking ourselves the same question we have asked so many time, "What can we do?" I hope that somehow that spirit will be contagious enough that you might ask yourself the same question. And, perhaps together we might be insired and lucky enough at the same time to find something that works!
IMPORTANT: Please urge your neighbors and friends to VOTE NO ON SPLOST IV on November 8, 2011.
Stop funding the projects of the people who did this to us.
Caption 1: Kids at Stone Mountain Playground help tell others about a cell tower coming to their school courtesy of T-mobile, DCSS and something called an "Administrative Permit" that means the public does not have a say in the zoning process and the schools are exempt from regulation.
Caption 2: A very large cell tower mast already functioning in DeKalb County and registered to AT&T. Where is it located? About .25 miles down the road from an elementary school that will also be getting a tower on their property and wi-fi in their classroom if the school board gets its way. The cumulative effects of multiple sources of low-level RF radiation is the subject of controversy as it has not been studied, is barely regulated and is suspected by the World Health Organization to be a possible human carcinigen that can lead to a variety of forms of cancer. It's effects on chilren are unknown but suspected to be more harmful as RF radiation attacks DNA cells and causes damage to them. These are the cells that children are still developing as their systems are not fully developed and are rapidly growing. In addition to cancer, a long list of symptoms are known to degrade the quality of life of those who are forced to live near a cell tower or attend a school that has one.
To the MLK, Jr. High School Community: Keep Up the Great Work!
Making a pledge to support our efforts to unite the county against the unfair lease agreement signed by the school board that will place cell towers at 9 of our schools, some dedicated community members are working together to spread the word and encourage people to sign our petition.
The kids at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School should be proud of their community and are encouraged to download the blank petition sheets from our website so that they can help the cause, too.
We have a goal of 100 signatures per school, so get out there and tell people about the issue, the petition and remind them to vote NO on SPLOST IV!
Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
Expediency asks the question - is it politic?
Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
But conscience asks the question - is it right?
And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)
The kids at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School should be proud of their community and are encouraged to download the blank petition sheets from our website so that they can help the cause, too.
We have a goal of 100 signatures per school, so get out there and tell people about the issue, the petition and remind them to vote NO on SPLOST IV!
Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
Expediency asks the question - is it politic?
Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
But conscience asks the question - is it right?
And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)
Lakeside's "Mullet" (business in the front, party in the back)
What exactly is going on here? If anyone in the Lakeside community can explain the appearance of this strange cell tower, please enlighten us!
Looks like it is all T-mobile official business in the front.
But a whole lot more is posted on the back.
Wonder if any of those signs were meant for the people who keep taking photos of this strange tower? Why is that pole put on crooked? What is this thing anyway? Anyone?
Looks like it is all T-mobile official business in the front.
But a whole lot more is posted on the back.
Wonder if any of those signs were meant for the people who keep taking photos of this strange tower? Why is that pole put on crooked? What is this thing anyway? Anyone?
Wi-Fi and Your Child’s Health:
F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E
Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter
www.getthecelloutatl.org
Wi-Fi and Your Child’s Health:
What DeKalb Parents Should Know
DEKALB COUNTY, GA: Tuesday, October 18, 2011: As the vote for E-SPLOST IV
approaches, there is one item on the wish list submitted by the DeKalb County School
Board that has parents taking a closer look at how their children’s health might be
affected. The issue is Wi-Fi in the classroom and there is significant evidence from its
implementation in other school districts that this technology may bring more harm than
good to our classrooms.
“Wi-Fi systems emit the same form of radiation as cell towers,” says Cheryl
Miller, co-founder and President of a countywide non-profit group Get the Cell Out -
Atlanta Chapter. She says that school boards can no longer assume wi-fi is safe after
the World Health Organization has called the low level radiation exposure a possible
human carcinogen listed in the same category as DEET insecticide and lead-based paint.
Microwave exposure is linked to infertility, erratic heart rates, learning impairment,
behavioral changes, leukemia and cancer, especially in children.
Across the globe, schools are starting to plug back in after students started
reporting various symptoms that could only be explained by the introduction of wireless
technology into their classrooms.
According to the Center for Safer Wireless, children in schools with wi-fi
technology have reported the following symptoms:
* Headaches (3-5X per week, that require medicine)
* Dizziness - Nausea - Vertigo (gone after student leaves the school)
* Visual and Auditory Distortion
* Racing Heart Rate (Tachycardia)
* Memory Loss (difficulty remembering school information)
* Attention Deficit (difficulty concentrating while in class)
* Skin Rash (mostly lower leg, goes away on weekends or longer breaks)
* Hyperactivity (appears mostly among children not previously hyperactive)
* Night Sweats (unexplainable, unrelated to fever, and lasting several nights)
* Insomnia (restless sleep)
In France and the U.K., wi-fi systems are being dismantled and banned from
primary schools. Germany has issued a country-wide warning to all of its citizens about
the dangers of wi-fi.
Miller states that the cell tower issue is not a fight about technology. “The
response the school board is getting from the schools affected by the cell tower vote is
that it is not okay to ignore the concerns of the districts they serve,” she said. “By not
following their own rules that call for public forums to gain community input before
making a decision, they are sending a message to the parents and taxpayers that they do
not care. That is not acceptable.”
Miller states her group advocates using the power of the vote to let school board
leaders know they will be held accountable by the people they were elected to serve.
“This is not the way to run an efficient school system,” she says. “We have been
left with no other option than to open our eyes to what is going on countywide and stop
being the enabler in this dysfunctional relationship.
Vote No and make them roll up their sleeves and really do their jobs. If they find
money is the only problem that has not been fixed, they will come back to us in a few
months with a cleaned up proposal that is fully justified and contains needs, not fluff.”
For more information about the cell tower issue as well as concerns about wi-fi in
schools, visit the official website for Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter,
www.getthecelloutatl.org or send an email to sayno2celltowers@yahoo.com.
###
Contact: sayno2celltowers@yahoo.com
Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter
www.getthecelloutatl.org
Wi-Fi and Your Child’s Health:
What DeKalb Parents Should Know
DEKALB COUNTY, GA: Tuesday, October 18, 2011: As the vote for E-SPLOST IV
approaches, there is one item on the wish list submitted by the DeKalb County School
Board that has parents taking a closer look at how their children’s health might be
affected. The issue is Wi-Fi in the classroom and there is significant evidence from its
implementation in other school districts that this technology may bring more harm than
good to our classrooms.
“Wi-Fi systems emit the same form of radiation as cell towers,” says Cheryl
Miller, co-founder and President of a countywide non-profit group Get the Cell Out -
Atlanta Chapter. She says that school boards can no longer assume wi-fi is safe after
the World Health Organization has called the low level radiation exposure a possible
human carcinogen listed in the same category as DEET insecticide and lead-based paint.
Microwave exposure is linked to infertility, erratic heart rates, learning impairment,
behavioral changes, leukemia and cancer, especially in children.
Across the globe, schools are starting to plug back in after students started
reporting various symptoms that could only be explained by the introduction of wireless
technology into their classrooms.
According to the Center for Safer Wireless, children in schools with wi-fi
technology have reported the following symptoms:
* Headaches (3-5X per week, that require medicine)
* Dizziness - Nausea - Vertigo (gone after student leaves the school)
* Visual and Auditory Distortion
* Racing Heart Rate (Tachycardia)
* Memory Loss (difficulty remembering school information)
* Attention Deficit (difficulty concentrating while in class)
* Skin Rash (mostly lower leg, goes away on weekends or longer breaks)
* Hyperactivity (appears mostly among children not previously hyperactive)
* Night Sweats (unexplainable, unrelated to fever, and lasting several nights)
* Insomnia (restless sleep)
In France and the U.K., wi-fi systems are being dismantled and banned from
primary schools. Germany has issued a country-wide warning to all of its citizens about
the dangers of wi-fi.
Miller states that the cell tower issue is not a fight about technology. “The
response the school board is getting from the schools affected by the cell tower vote is
that it is not okay to ignore the concerns of the districts they serve,” she said. “By not
following their own rules that call for public forums to gain community input before
making a decision, they are sending a message to the parents and taxpayers that they do
not care. That is not acceptable.”
Miller states her group advocates using the power of the vote to let school board
leaders know they will be held accountable by the people they were elected to serve.
“This is not the way to run an efficient school system,” she says. “We have been
left with no other option than to open our eyes to what is going on countywide and stop
being the enabler in this dysfunctional relationship.
Vote No and make them roll up their sleeves and really do their jobs. If they find
money is the only problem that has not been fixed, they will come back to us in a few
months with a cleaned up proposal that is fully justified and contains needs, not fluff.”
For more information about the cell tower issue as well as concerns about wi-fi in
schools, visit the official website for Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter,
www.getthecelloutatl.org or send an email to sayno2celltowers@yahoo.com.
###
Contact: sayno2celltowers@yahoo.com
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