FOX5 VIDEO: GTCO-ATL "Person of Interest"

Updated: Monday, 11 Jul 2011, 10:42 PM EDT  Published : Monday, 11 Jul 2011, 6:47 PM EDT
Reporter:  Chris Shaw

Stephanie Byrne spoke with reporter Chris Shaw
prior to the July 11 DCSS meeting that
resulted in cell tower leases for 9 schools,
including Briarlake Elementary in Decatur and
nearby schools Margaret Harris Comprehensive
and Lakeside High School, both in Atlanta.

Here is the newscast from FOX that ran July 11, 2011, the day of the school board's vote. Interviewed is Stephanie Byrne, now head of the non-profit organization, Nobriarlaketower, LLC.   It is curious that the reporter would have reached out to her for an interview since, at the time, she had opted not to formally oppose the tower construction that would be taking place behind her home. 

Who gave them her name as  a person to contact if no one except the school board members and two "unknown persons" who attended the T-mobile meeting  knew anything about the proposal?  And, does the PTA claim they did not attend the meeeting because every other school on the list has admitted that the PTA  was contacted, some as early as Oct. 2010 when tallks with T-mobile began, and they had at least one person in attendence. 

If the PTA has been promised $25,000 if the towers go up,  then isn't that a huge conflict of interest that would make one wonder how motivated they are to really achieve the goal of stopping the tower?

In this interview, Byrne is far from a hard-core advocate for safe siting of cell towers.  In facct, she actually states,  "Sure it would be great, if ..."  and that "afraid is too strong of a word" when speaking with the reporter.  So, her reasons for opposing the tower?  She expresses concern over the financial aspect of the deal, stating she should be compensated for any "perceived inconvenience" a tower would bring. 

As a PTA board member, she is in charge of the grounds and outdoor classroom for the Briarlake Elementary School. Yet, she claims to be caught totally offguard about the signs of site testing taking place practically in the wooded area between  her home and the school, right on top of the outdoor classroom.  As one of only two people associated with the new Briarlake Foundation, which started in October 2011, the same time the T-mobile talks started, she is part of a group that hopes to give an Ipad to every student.  Ipads actually use the very technology that the tower will be providing, so isn't the goal of one group going to create a need for the very thing that the other group is supposed to be opposing?

Previously, the PTA had been told by Paul Womack in a public meeting that they would have a say in the location of the tower.  Once it was announced to us by Byrne that the Briarlake PTA had decided to oppose the tower formally and their first step in that process was to begin talking about their playground, it made us immediately consider the second location as a more real possiblity for the tower.  We kept and eye on that location and had to announe on  this blog the fact that the land was being disturbed and an entire area was marked off for where the trees would soon be cut down.

T-mobile denyed that they would give the PTA any choice on the location and informed Brairlake that the company would only be dealing directly with the school board on the issue.  Who is the contact at T-mobile that is answering questions for Briarlake and why did the press report that Steve Donahue gave them a letter that included the research studies the school board had relyed upon?  Is the school board giving special treatment to Briarlake?  If so, why does it not appear to be having any effect on the efforts of T-mobile to move forward?  And why is ATT the ones doing all the work in the neighborhood right now, appearing to be laying the infrastructure needed for the eavesments that will be needed to access the property and run the high voltage transmission lines needed to power a\ 150' tower for the next 30 years.

If this type of construction, not at all related to education, residential use, or even public enjoyment, were going to be starting up right next to your home or even right at the end of your street or around the corner, wouldn't you expect someone to at least notify you that is was about to begin?  Wouldn't you be upset if the only group being relied upon by both the school board, T-mobile, ATT AND the county zoning department was the privately-held non-profit parent-teacher association.  And, even at that, the only notification they have admitted to receiving at your school was a generic flyer that did not indicate the school was a location.

Double Identity?

Yes, this is the same person.  In one interview prior to the July school board vote, Byrne seems very unconcerned and mostly wanting to get some financial reward for the "perceived inconvenience" of a cell tower in her backyard. 

July 2011

She told GTCO-ATL in August that she had attended the T-mobile meeting in May and followed the issue through June when it was postponed thanks to the petition we delivered in person to the full board that evening.  Byrne said she then lost track of the status until we met with members of her community in September to let them know what was coming down the line for their neighborhood and how they might be able to speak out against it when the county allows public comment on the permitting phase.  Shortly thereafter, Byrne consulted with the Briarlake PTA and stepped up to head up their own efforts, inserting herself in between us and the group we had orginally met with upon request. 

After being reassured that Byrne's group would hand out flyers and focus on the community that did not have any notice from the school because they do not have children at Briarlake, Byrne instead insisted on remaining friendly and focused upon the school board.  She never spoke out publically and has never stated her own reasons for opposing the tower, except in the July FOX interview.  She failed to mention that her backyad was identified as the actual site for the cell tower and, instead, spent considerable time preaching about her disgust at the thought of the kids losing their playground.

Nov. 2011

When we realized her group, nobriarlaketower.org, LLC had not informed Margaret Harris as they told us they would and had not included any of the other schools during their conversations with state legislators, we again got involved and informed the Margaret Harris community (after also doing our best to alert all other schools on the list). 

When Byrne realized Margaret Harris would be speaking out in November, she finally decided to do the same, taking a later position in the speaking lineup and the claiming that all the people assembled were part of a Briarlake opposition.  And, when learning of Margaret Harris's Open Records Request (at our urging) she managed to do the same for Briarlake and broke the "news" of her victory one day before their's.  Again, no mention of the other schools or if anyone tried to get copies of their leases for them.

There is still more to be unravelled in this saga, but we'll save it for our next announcement.  Just remember that corruption runs deep in this school system.  It is important to make sure you undersand the motivations of every person you deal with before you trust them with any information that is valuable to you or a cause you believe in.  I wish we knew that back when we met with Brairlake for the fist time.  We would have done background checks first instead of just assuming that all parents would want to protect their children from harm.

Cell Phone Towers Coming to 9 DeKalb Schools: MyFoxATLANTA.com
dekalb-county-schools-cell-phone-towers-20110711-es

CLICK VIDEO AT LEFT TO PLAY JULY 2011 REPORT FROM FOX5 NEWS
This FOX News story is interesting as it shows Brockett Elementary at the beginning, but did not mention our protest in the content.  It mentions that the Medlock community is against the tower, but interviews someone who is pro-cell tower.  The reporter appears to be implying that Briarlake's community is pro-cell tower, but the interview is with someone (Byrne) who is against it, mainly for the lack of financial disclosure, according to her statements.

The financial information has been the primary hot button for the Briarlake PTA as well.  One board member called the $25,000 offer the school board made to them "insulting" as they are capable of raising much  more on their own. 

So, this begs the question:  if these protest leaders get the financial payoff they have been hoping for, what willl become of the interests of the 200 reported followers Byrne mentioned at the December board meeting that she represents?

FOX5 VIDEO: "Get the Cell Out - Atlanta" Formed to Alert Other Schools About Cell Tower Decision

By KAITLYN PRATT/myfoxatlanta

(click headline for the full story)

Opinions Divided Over Cell Towers at DeKalb Schools: MyFoxATLANTA.com

Updated: Tuesday, 23 Aug 2011, 12:57 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 23 Aug 2011, 12:29 PM EDT
Reporter: Kaitlyn Pratt

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - T-Mobile is getting a "busy signal" from some residents in DeKalb County in answer to proposed cell towers planned near elementary schools.

"When did schools become a profit center for commercial business?" asked Cheryl Miller who is against cell phone towers.

There is outrage over the possibility of cell phone towers at schools in DeKalb County.
"One hundred fifty feet in the air - a 60 by 60 base. In the middle of their neighborhood," said Miller.

Cheryl Miller said Briarlake Elementary is one of nine campuses where the DeKalb County School Board approved T-Mobile to build during a July meeting vote.

"If it's nine this year, it could be nine more next year," said Miller.

Miller is concerned about radiation levels and property values. She is working to spread information about the proposed sites through a group, "Get the Cell Out."

"Just because the school board has agreed to lease their property at these nine schools - does not mean T Mobile will get the zoning permits necessary."

But T-Mobile isn't getting a "busy" signal from all residents. Those in favor of placing towers at the nine schools say the money paid by T-Mobile each month will bring much needed funds into DeKalb County's school district.

Supporters add each of the PTA's of those schools will receive a $25,000 donation; money they say could help DeKalb's students.

Both sides will have a chance to voice their opinions at a zoning hearing in the next few months. A date has not been set yet.

Twelve DeKalb schools were originally on the list for possible tower locations. Neighbors signed petitions to have three campuses removed.

Original title of article on FOX5 website: Opinions Divided Over Cell Towers at DeKalb Schools (We did not think "divided" was a fair way to represent this issue, so we re-wrote the title for our blog site purposes.)

AT&T Ends Bid To Add Network Capacity Through T-Mobile USA Purchase

Dallas, Texas, December 19, 2011
(click headline for the full story)

ATT Inc. (NYSE: T) said today that after a thorough review of options it has agreed with Deutsche Telekom AG to end its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA, which began in March of this year.

The actions by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to block this transaction do not change the realities of the U.S. wireless industry. It is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in the world, with a mounting need for more spectrum that has not diminished and must be addressed immediately. The AT&T and T-Mobile USA combination would have offered an interim solution to this spectrum shortage. In the absence of such steps, customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled.

Read more here:  http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22146&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33560&mapcode=corporate|wireless-networks-general

To reflect the break-up considerations due Deutsche Telekom, AT&T will recognize a pretax accounting charge of $4 billion in the 4th quarter of 2011.

Additionally, ATT will enter a mutually beneficial roaming agreement with Deutsche Telekom.

(Looks like ATT still has a hand in the DeKalb County cookie jar after all!)

AT&T to Connect TVTextbook eLearning Device Portfolio

Dallas, Texas, December 06, 2011

Don’t touch that dial. A new variety of interactive educational content for the youngsters in the household is headed to a TV near you.

AT&T* today announced an agreement with TVTextbook to provide mobile broadband connectivity to TVTextbook’s eLearning connected device portfolio. TVTextbook (TVT) delivers high-quality K-12 curriculum that is distributed through a learning console connected to the television.

Only TVTextbook leverages basic television–a product found in virtually every U.S. household–to help school districts deliver a digital education to 100% of their students. AT&T’s connectivity will bring a seamless, wireless connection between school and home.

Read more here:  http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22103&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33467&mapcode=corporate|broadband

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Grand Jury Investigation for DeKalb County School Board: a Compilation of News Reports

(click headline for the full story)  Following are several news reports locally about the potential investigation into the DeKalb County School Board and several of their practices including conflicts of interest, SPLOST IV promotions and nepotism inside the system.

Stay tuned for more information as we are sure the cell tower issue will be among those discussed if the grand jury is indeed called to investigate.

Special grand jury
A "special grand jury" is one of two types of grand juries that exist in the U.S. federal system. While a regular grand jury primarily decides whether to bring charges, a special grand jury is called into existence to investigate whether organized crime is occurring in the community in which it sits. This could include, for instance, organized drug activity or organized corruption in government. As provided in 18 U.S.C. § 3331(a), the U.S. District Court in every judicial district having more than four million inhabitants must impanel a special grand jury at least once every eighteen months.^[21]


________________________________________________________________________
6:43 PM, Dec 30, 2011

11 Alive TV Report:  view the video here: 
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/219594/40/DeKalb-Schools-up-for-grand-jury-investigation

DECATUR - We may finally get some answers as to what's been going on inside the DeKalb County School System over the years. It's been plagued with controversy and now a Special Grand Jury could investigate.

The recommendation is in a recent report returned from the fall sitting of the Grand Jury in DeKalb County. They started asking questions about what's been going on inside the school district and "weren't satisfied with the answers they got from former and current administrators."

Neither were we, when we started asking questions, last fall, about the new superintendents job application. In it, Cheryl Atkinson indicated she had never been named as a defendant in a lawsuit. However, we discovered she was named as a defendant in a bankruptcy suit in 1998.

We asked why she had answered "no" to the question but never got a response from her or from the DeKalb County School System.

In its report to the Superior Court of DeKalb County the grand jury wrote that it had concerns over the delay in replacing former Superintendent Crawford Lewis, currently under indictment for racketeering, theft by a government employee and bribery.

They had concerns about the influence of School Board members over hiring of family and friends and about media leaks that caused Lillie Cox to withdraw her application to fill the vacant superintendent position. Concerns over the recent controversy involving school band members and allegations of hazing that led to the suspension of band activities was another issue.

The referendum for the special sales tax levy for education was also raised. The grand jury questioned whether school funds were improperly used to support the measure.

DeKalb District Attorney Robert James was present for some of the Grand Jury discussions and has now received the recommendation to convene a Special Grand Jury to investigate further.
He declined to be interviewed but sent us the following statement:

"On Thursday, December 29, I received the official DeKalb County Grand Jury presentment. We take the recommendations of the Grand Jury very seriously and will review the information pertaining to the concerns regarding the DeKalb County School System and determine a proper course of action." - DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James

We contacted the current superintendent Cheryl Atkinson and all board members for a comment on this story but got none. Even the communications person never responded to our calls.

_____________________________________________________________________

DeKalb County News (Reprint from Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Reporter:  Ernie Suggs
6:37 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2011

Panel recommends special grand jury investigation into DeKalb schools

AJC Article here: http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/panel-recommends-special-grand-1280639.html

Detailing a laundry list of concerns, particularly the process that led to the hiring of DeKalb County School’s superintendent Cheryl Atkinson, a grand jury is calling for a special investigation of the school board.

Kent D. Johnson, kdjohnson@ajc.comThe grand jury questioned the drawn-out process that finally led to the hiring of DeKalb County School’s superintendent Cheryl Atkinson.

After their November-December presentments, the DeKalb County Superior Court grand jury has recommended a special grand jury look into the county school board, because, “It is clear that the school system remains top-heavy and suffers from a perception of conflicts of interest and waste.”

Among the more damaging allegations, the grand jury blamed the board for taking nearly two years to find a permanent replacement for former superintendent Crawford Lewis, who is now under indictment for fraud.

“While we have no issue with the work and effectiveness of the interim superintendent, not having a permanent superintendent in place for an extended period while the system was in turmoil and obviously needed significant improvements leads to questions about the school board’s effectiveness in meeting their sworn duty,” the report read.

The grand jury also noted that several aspects of the selection process were leaked to the media. Lillie Cox, the one-time front-runner to lead the schools, dropped out of contention for the job after contract negotiations stalled and details of her potential agreement were made public.

After withdrawing, Cox quickly accepted a similar position in a North Carolina school district.
Approximately 95,000 students are enrolled in DeKalb public schools, the third largest system in the state.

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James told Channel 2 Action News that the report, was "explosive" and "something that we have to take very seriously."

It would be up to James' office to form a special grand jury to probe the school system.
"Whether or not I'm going to request that the superior court judges grant us the ability to have a special grand jury or we use our normal investigative power is something that I'm going to be reviewing over the next couple of weeks," he said.

The panel also noted that:

• The school board had too much influence in the hiring and retention of personnel, which created a culture where “friends and family” are benefiting.

• Several school officials connected with DeKalb County bands were engaged in outside activities that might have had an impact on their duties at work. Band activity at all schools has been suspended in the wake of the hazing death of a Florida A&M University drum major, who had graduated from Southwest DeKalb High. Investigators are looking at connections between the college and high school.

• The school system might have improperly campaigned taxpayers to approve the renewal of a penny sales tax. By law, systems are only allowed to provide information about the so-called SPLOST, but not lobby for or against it. In November, voters gave DeKalb County schools, where former superintendent Lewis is facing fraud charges related to previous SPLOST money, $475 million for school construction, including $144 million to replace seven elementary schools.

For their report, the grand jury interviewed Atkinson, former interim superintendent Ramona Tyson and school board chairman Thomas Bowen. District spokesman Walter Woods said the system is prepared to cooperate fully with any investigation.

"Beyond that, we haven’t see the report yet," Woods said.
____________________________________________________________________

WSB-TV report here:  http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/education/dekalb-county-school-board-could-face-grand-jury-i/nGB4L/

DeKalb School Board could face grand jury

DeKALB CO., Ga. —

A DeKalb County grand jury is calling for a deeper investigation into the actions of school board members, citing questionable policies, spending and nepotism concerns.  The civil grand jurors spent more than a month looking at county operations and handed up their presentment Thursday.

"All of it concerns me. I'm a parent and I'm a taxpaying citizen of DeKalb County," said Robert James, who also serves as DeKalb County's district attorney.

He said he will spend the next few weeks deciding whether to ask the superior court judges to allow him to convene a special-purpose grand jury to look specifically at the DeKalb School Board.

"There is some validity. The question is, how much validity and does it warrant a further look?" said James, who called the report “explosive.”

The grand jurors listed five general concerns, including School Board influence in the hiring and personnel evaluation process, including friends and family with questionable salaries, and senior-level personnel employed in outside work that could impact job performance or lead to double-dipping on pay.

"Misrepresentation of information and fraudulently presenting certain things, that's when you get into criminal activity," said James. "But most of what they were talking about were not actual crimes, but waste and misuse of taxpayer dollars and nepotism and things of that nature. Which is -- however, in the province of a special grand jury."

They also cited the year and a half delay in hiring a permanent superintendent after Crawford Lewis's indictment on racketeering charges. He and other district workers are accused of accepting bribes and funneling work to his chief operating officer's husband.

Civil grand jurors also criticized School Board members for leaking information to the media regarding one of the candidates to replace Lewis. The candidate later removed her name from contention.

The grand jury questioned use of public funds to endorse and promote the last special-purpose local-option sales tax referendum. Public money is only supposed to be used for education relating to the projects, not a specific endorsement.

And the grand jury criticized Board policies for hiring attorneys and filing and managing lawsuits, with regard to exorbitant spending on a lengthy lawsuit to recover funds from Heery Construction, the district's former school builder.

James says several of the concerns are years old and stem from the prior superintendent's administration. A few have also surfaced previously and could come up in ongoing criminal cases.
School Board Chairman Tom Bowen was interviewed by the grand jurors and told Channel 2 investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer that he answered the questions to the best of his ability.
He says there is more the district can do to investigate and provide proof that the concerns are being addressed, and that he would like that opportunity before a special grand jury is deemed necessary.

New Year's Resolutions from The Center for Safer Wireless

(click headline for the full story)

Here are some great tips we wanted to pass along from The Center for Safer Wireless.  To visit their website directly, go to:  http://www.centerforsaferwireless.org/.  You will find a great deal of helpful information for ways to help your family reduce the overall amount of radiation you are exposed ot on a regular basis which will improve your health and help reduce your cancer risk.

Rather than allowing your new e-reader to radiate your lap the

entire time you are reading a book, simply go into the Settings

and turn off the pulsed wi-fi signal until you need to access the

Internet to download something new.  If you need to be online

for any length of time, its better to keep the device away from

your body by using a pillow or lap desk, which can be found at

any office supply store and even at toy stores for around $10.

Some Suggested Resolutions for 2012

If you have Wi-Fi, consider returning to cabled Internet access which greatly diminishes your exposure to pulsed radiofrequency radiation and lessens your chances of being hacked.

Replace your cordless phone with a wired phone

Reach for a wired phone (when available) instead of a cell phone to make a call.

Opt for a low-frequency baby monitor (40 MHz).

Wireless Product Safety Tip E-Readers

Wired devices are the safest way to go. For those who gave or received e-readers as Christmas gifts (Nook, Kindle, tablets, iPads, Kobo) you can reduce your exposure to pulsed radiofrequency radiation by simply turning off the wireless signal on these devices. When you are reading an e-book, newspaper, or magazine, you don't need a wireless connection with the e-reader. To disable the wireless signal, each device is different. Search for phrases such as "turn off wireless signal" or "disable wireless network connection."  Use the wireless connection only when accessing the Internet (such as when downloading a book or an application) and turn off the wireless signal when you are finished with the activity. Also, with the wireless disabled, you won't have to re-charge your e-reader as often.

To reduce health risks, we recommend that parents impose rules for children using an e-reader. In addition to the above recommendations, children shouldn't lay the e-reader on their bodies. Instead, they can place the devices on pillows in their laps or on desks and tables. Not only is the pulsed radiofrequency radiation a concern but also the alternating current magnetic fields from the devices. Keeping a distance between young bodies and the devices helps to reduce health risks.

Adults can follow these rules for e-readers and when using a wireless laptop. 

Keep these tips in mind if your child is issued a wireless device in school such as an I-pad or Tablet.

Response from Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators

(click headline for the full story)  (This is the recent response to our letter to Nancy Seeger, President, Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators, which can be found here:  http://www.getthecelloutatl.com/#!/2011/11/dear-president-nancy-seegar-georgia.html)

12/30/11

Dear (Get the Cell Out - Atlanta):
 
I certainly understand your feelings toward the placement of the cell towers, especially since you have not had any input into the process.

You should check the county zoning ordinance for its regulation on cell towers. Ordinances are not the same for all jurisdictions so process and requirements change from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most ordinances for Georgia Counties and Cities are on www.municode. You may want to contact the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and see if they can help you understand the process. ARC is a regional planning agency that is more familiar with Atlanta area regulations and is very knowledgeable about land use issues.

I am sorry that I am not more help to you.
 
Sincerely,
Nancy Seegar
President, GAZA

For more information about GAZA, check out their website:  http://www.georgiazoning.org/.

Due Diligence Period Could End Jan. 11 or 12, 2012

Just a reminder that even though recent reports indicate that some school contracts with T-mobile were only signed recently, it is still possible that an earlier version was signed on or soon after the July 11, 2011, school board vote.  That would make this Jan. 11, 2012, the end of the due diligence period. 

At the July vote, Ramona Tyson, who was Interim Superintendent at the time, indicated that the "signature would be affixed to the contracts" immediately following the vote by the board and there would be no other opportunity for communities to speak up with regard to their opposition to the towers, or at least not to the school board.  The discussion then turned to the due diligence period that would last 6 months while T-mobile applied for its permits with the county and the FCC. 

We have seen several indications that many FCC licenses have been applied for much earlier than the recent announced contract signing dates, so it is still possible that the latest date is an attempt at "smoke and mirrors" to put communities at a lower level of alert.  In the meantime, the towers could go up as early as mid-January, so we are urginig every community to get prepared and be ready to "pull the trigger" on whatever options you have been considering if you see any signs of construction.

As we have stated many times, it is much easier to stop a tower from going up than it is to have one taken down.  Stopping a tower can often be as simple as forcing the cell company to prove it has a real "need" for the tower and not just a hope that there will be customers after they build their tower.  That is a legal stipulation by the FCC.  However, once a tower is up and running, they have a much better case for why they need it, as they only have to provide the actual usage data of the tower to show it really is being used.

So, get ready!  We're getting closer to a showdown in several communities.  Let's be prepared to fight and win!  Good luck and happy new year everyone! 

FOR UPDATES ON ISSUES LIKE THIS ONE, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/Get.the.Cell.Out.ATL

WSB-TV NEWS VIDEO: Fight Brews Over Cell Towers On School Grounds

The Fight Continues Over Cell Towers On School Grounds

(click headline for the full story)

George Howell reporting, Channel 2

Updated: 10:22 a.m. Monday, July 11, 2011

Click photo above to play video.

WSB-TV, Channel 2 Action News,  has finally re-posted the original newscast that aired July 10, 2011, in the 11 p.m. news and then again several of the newscasts the following day leading right up until the DeKalb County school board's vote that evening at the public meeting. Thank you to Channel 2 and George Howell for taking an interest in our story and helping us get the word out to others.

Immediately following the vote, we were interviewed in the parking lot outside the "Palace" and the so-called "partial victory" was announced.  We were surprised that Brockett was taken off the list as we had assumed that the fate of all the schools had already been pre-determined.  At one point, the board members discussed removing some or even all of the other schools which we had been advocating for from the very beginning.  Because that did not happen, we decided to stay involved with this issue and follow it through to the end, whatever that may be.  

The transcript of the story is below:

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Parents opposed to a proposal to put cell phone towers on DeKalb County school grounds worked to spread the word Sunday.The fight will be resolved in a school board vote Monday.

With a petition in hand, Paul and Cheryl Miller gathered as many signatures as possible against putting a cellphone tower behind Brockett Elementary School, where their daughter attended Pre-kindergarten.

"This is putting her health in danger, and absolutely, this is why I am speaking out and I hope others will do the same," Cheryl Miller told Channel 2's George Howell.

The other schools on the table include Brockett, Briarlake, Flat Rock, Jolly, Medlock, Meadowview, Narvie J. Harris, Princeton and Smoke Rise elementary schools, Margaret Harris Center and Martin Luther King Jr. and Lakeside high schools.

Cheryl Miller said she's concerned about radiation emitted from the tower and questions why T-Mobile, which is in the process of being acquired by ATT, needs a tower in a residential area.

"We don't see why our school would possibly be one of the ones that would help," she said. She said she’s concerned that not enough parents are informed of the issue.

"Most people aren't even aware that this is probably going to happen," she said. DeKalb School Board Chair Tom Bowen said there have been several meetings discussing health concerns.

"We've received a significant amount of feedback, but based upon the information that we've received, the safety, which is of paramount concern of the district, is within acceptable levels," Bowen told Howell.

Do the Right Thing!

Please sign countywide petition to show our

legislators that the voters of DeKalb County

and the state of Georgia demand a change.

We speak louder as a group united than

we do as individuals divided.

And, we will speak together with our votes later

if they will not listen to us now.

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL

Click link above to sign and leave your comments.

Thank you and happy holidays from GTCO-ATL!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? Voting Season!

Photo credit: Channel 2 Action News

Tired of thinking about stuff like this? 

Wish you could breathe the fresh air again?

Well, we feel the same way!  So, let's start resolving RIGHT NOW to make it happen in 2012!

With the holidays just a few short days away, the New Year will be fast upon us. 

And, here at GTCO-ATL, we cannot be more excited to start spreading the news....

Calling all voters!  Calling all people of legal voting age (yes, that's you, Mr. I-just-turned-18 and they are putting a cell towers at my old high school)...  Calling everyone we know and then calling on them to call everyone they know ....  GET REGISTERED and GET READY TO VOTE! 

You can't bitch without a solution, so here's a great one...  don't like what you see right now in office?  Don't like this version of "tranparency" that is being served up to us cold on a platter of WTF?

Let's make VOTING COOL again!  

Don't know who your elected officials are? 

Don't remember if you are registered or where you go to vote? 

No problem!  Click the button below!  You are still considered a:

GEORGIA MVP

Click the button above to find your elected officials!

Just remember to read our website, remember the names of the people who have made bad decisions or simply failed to represent you fairly or protect your interests as a taxpayer of this county!  And then vote for SOMEONE DIFFERENT! 

courtesy of The Georgia Green Party. 

Elections and Voter Registration Calendar

2012 Election Event Dates
Election	Voter Registration Deadline	Election Date
Presidential Preference Primary/Special Election (to fill vacancies and propose questions)	February 6, 2012	March 6, 2012
Special Election Runoff	February 6, 2012	April 3, 2012
General Primary/Non-Partisan/ Special Election (to fill vacancies and propose questions)	July 2, 2012	July 31, 2012
General Primary Runoff/Non-Partisan Runoff/Special Election Runoff	July 2, 2012	August 21, 2012
Special Election (to fill vacancies)	August 20, 2012	September 18, 2012
Special Election Runoff	August 20, 2012	October 16, 2012
General Election/Special Election (to fill vacancies and propose questions)	October 8, 2012	November 6, 2012
General Election Runoff/Special Election Runoff	October 8, 2012	December 4, 2012

Ding! Dong! The Deal is Dead!

(click headline for the full story)  So the "bad guys" lost a big one today by announcing that the merger is dead.  Unfortunately, it likely does not change much for the cell tower schools in DeKalb County as there is still a chance AT&T will want to buy up T-mobile's infrastructure, which means the towers are still a hot commodity in the money game being placed by the telcomm industry right now.  But, it's still good news to hear that a total monopoly of sorts has been stopped, or at least slowed down for now.  In the case of cell towers, however, competition may not be such a good thing as each company in the US continues to push for more and more towers to "one up" each other and the ones paying the price - the consumer. 

Ma Bell will not be ringing in the new year in a very happy way this year....

AT&T (NYSE: T) has decided not to challenge the Federal Communication Commission's objections to its proposed US$39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile. Given the energy, time and resources it clearly put into the effort, the company is likely still licking its wounds, but it will soon have to address the question of what to do next -- as will T-Mobile and its parent company Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT).

The proposed deal was seen as the solution to several problems: how AT&T could extend services throughout the U.S., despite its constrained bandwidth; how T-Mobile could survive in a market where it's a distant No. 4; and how Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile's parent, could finally exit the U.S.

New Questions Pending

The deal may be dead, but the problems it was meant to solve are very much alive.
In certain respects, the companies' positions have worsened. Deutsche Telekom wasted several months as it waited to see how the proposal would play out. Ditto for AT&T, which could have been exploring other alternatives. Instead, it must now pay DT about $4 billion in a breakup fee.
T-Mobile, for its part, is still grappling with the issue of how to compete from its low perch in the market -- backed by a reluctant parent to boot.

Read More:  http://www.technewsworld.com/story/deals/74022.html

Petition Quote of the Day!

15:22, Dec 13

 (click headline for the full story)

     My partner lives right behind the Margaret Harris Comprehensive school for special needs children and is also disabled. She never received notice that a 150 ft cell tower was going to be built literally in her back yard.

     Not only is the Dekalb County School board taking it upon themselves to further disadvantage disabled children, they are also robbing surrounding residents of tens of thousands in property value, and endangering their health and lives. Two board members voted no: Elder and Jester. The rest voted yes to put these towers on school grounds and in residential areas.

     Their (the board members who voted yes) motives are clear, and they are transparent in their lack of representation of their constituents. These type of people must be voted out of office when the time comes. They do not care about the citizens that they represent nor do they care about the children that they purportedly are elected to protect.

    We need to make some changes come election time. We need more individuals like Elder and Jester. We need people on this board with sound logic and no hidden motives. We need representatives who are not led by greed and who will commit to doing what is right by the children of Dekalb County and its residents. I urge everyone to take the time to vote this coming year!

                                                                                       --  Concerned Resident and Student Pharmacist

GTCO-ATL Members Named TIME's "Person of the Year"

THAT'S RIGHT --- YOU ARE TIME MAGAZINE'S 2011 PERSON OF THE YEAR!

(click headline for the full story)
Every year, Time Magaizine looks at the political, social and economic landscape of our planet.  They review all the people who have made headlines and those who have made an impact to positively influence or change the world.

And, this year, the "Person of the Year" is ...

        "The Protester"

Congratulate yourself right now . . .  because if you have followed Get the Cell Out - Atlanta, contributed to the opposition of cell towers in DeKalb County, voted "No" on SPLOST IV, signed a petition, spoke out at a school board meeting, called your county commissioners, contacted the DeKalb County Office of Planning & Sustainability or the county CEO, written a letter or sent an email to our state legislators or Georgia Board of Education, contacted the media, written a blog, attended a public meeting, put a sign in your yard or even just discussed the cell tower factor with others in an effort to share what you know or learn more for yourself, we think you can consider yourself to be an active member of the Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter protest.  And, as an active protester who is concerned about our schools, our communities and our future - you can also start telling people that YOU are the TIME Magazine "Person of the Year."

YOU are the TIME Magazine "Person of the Month."  You are part of something BIG, somethiing that is GROWING and something that we hope will be a contributing factor to positive change for all of the residents and visitors of DeKalb County.

Our mission:  Demand Ethics, Transparency and Accountability from our leaders.

Our goal:  To unite the county in the opposition of cell towers and other radiation hazards that are dangerous, may pose an increased health risk and decrease the value of our homes. 

Here is a brief excerpt from this issue of TIME:

Is there a global tipping point for frustration? Everywhere, it seems, people said they'd had enough. They dissented; they demanded; they did not despair, even when the answers came back in a cloud of tear gas or a hail of bullets. They literally embodied the idea that individual action can bring collective, colossal change.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102139_2102380,00.html #ixzz1gWiweK5y

"The 2011 Person of the Year issue is the product of a year's worth of reporting and thinking," said TIME editor Richard Stengel.  "From the beginning of the Arab Spring, we dedicated an abundance of resources to this world-historical story. We also watched as the germ of protest spread to Europe and then America and now Russia." 

Stenegel and vetern essayist and novelist Kurt Andersen visited Egypt and Tunisia to trace this revolution to its roots.  Anderson then wrote the impactful commemorative piece that explains the connections and the larger meaning of a world experiencing simultaneous protests in dozens of countries.

Chelsea Elliot, 25, from New York was profiled in the article for her role as an early protester in the Occupy Wallstreet movement.  When asked what she wanted people to know about the movement, she said, "I feel this is an amazing time to be alive in America — at this point we actually have the opportunity for change, in this moment of destruction. So I feel like there's a great chance to rebuild and I hope people get involved and realize that our economy is not the way that it is because of a change in wind, it's because of wrongdoing on our government and very powerful businessmen's part."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102138_2102242,00.html #ixzz1gXnyfKYD

On the homefront, Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter, is a classic example of the unrest that is being felt throughout our country.  Our message started out small and has just continued to grow.  We had no idea what other peoople thought about this topic when we started or whether they would even open the door when we knocked on it with our petition in hand.  But, as time goes by, we have been encouraged and energized by the growing realization that the message is getting through, people are really paying attention and, as we had suspected, they are mad!  Regardless if they have children who attend one of the proposed cell tower schools, or if they live nearby, there are now more than 1,000 people who have listened or read about this issue online and they have been able to weed through the industry garbage to get toi the truth.  Some have felt moved enough to take action themselves. 

To bring about real change, it will take the ongoing effort of every peson who has educated themselves about this issue to make a committment to introduce others to the subject matter so that they can also become educated about it, too. 

It's a lot more difficult to change public policy if you have not been able to change public opinion.  Just like it is a lot more difficult to have a cell tower taken down than it is to stop one from going up!  We are not saying hat it can't be done, but the more we speak out now, and the more dedicated we can become to seeking the truth rather than accepting the lies, the more hardship we may be saving ourselvs or our children in the future.

Congratulations to protesters everywhere! 
YOU are changing the world!

Keep up the great work and remember that T-mobile doesn't look to put towers in communities that will stand together, speak out and then work to warn others --  they put towers in places where they think no one cares!  If you care, do something about it!

NTSB votes to ban use of all personal electronics in cars

By Andrew Couts

Digital Trends (click headline for the full story)

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) voted unanimously today to recommend states completely ban the use of cellphones and other portable electronic devices in vehicles, reports the Associated Press. The recommendation suggests going far beyond the current restrictions on texting and talking on the phone while driving to include outlawing the use of hands-free devices.

The five-member board of the NTSB made their decision after a 19-year-old driving his pickup truck near Gray Summit, MO, crashed into a school bus, which in turn ran over a smaller vehicle and crashed into another bus. The pickup driver and a 15-year-old aboard one of the buses were killed in the accident. Records show that the pickup driver had sent or received 11 text messages in the 11 minutes preceding the crash.

“Driving was not his only priority,” said NTSB chairman Deborah Hershman. “No call, no text, no update is worth a human life.”

Despite bans on texting, studies show that the dangerous practice is only getting worse. According to a survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two of every 10 drivers, and half of drivers ages 21 to 24, admit to texting while behind the wheel. And one in every 100 American drivers are either texting, emailing, browsing the Web or using their handheld devices for some other activity, at any given time. Even more troubling: The people only think these activities are dangerous when they see someone else doing it.

Following the announcement of its recommendation, the NTSB has taken to Twitter to emphasize their safety warnings, publishing a flurry of updates: “Turn the portable electronic devices off before turning the car on,” reads one. “Life is far more precious than a phone call or a playlist.” And, “Distraction kills. More than a minivan load of people. Every day.”

What do you think of the NTSB’s decision? Do you think a ban on using all electronic devices in the car is a good idea? Could such a law be enforced? Would anybody follow such a law? Would you?

Signs of Soil Testing at Margaret Harris Comprehensive School

(click headline for the full story)  Despite the community's recent objections to the DeKalb County School Board, it appears as though T-mobile has started the soil testing process which is one of the steps they need to complete in order to apply for the Special Administrative Permit that they expect will be "rubber stamped" in a closed meeting with the Interim Director of Planning & Sustainability, Andrew Baker, sometime this month or early first quarter. 

The community members have started their own Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Briarcliff-Heights-Community-Action-Group/278307285544800?ref=ts. We are rooting for them to catch up quickly so we can pass them the ball and let them run it in for a touchdown! If they can stop their tower, that means there is still hope for the other schools, too, so don't give up if you are still trying to find a way to oppose the tower near you! Seek legal advice outside of the county if you are having trouble finding council in DeKalb. Many land use and environmental attorneys here are already working on retainer with a cell company and cannot accept a job that would be a conflict of interest.

Signs of land distrubing activity in expectation of a T-mobile tower took place in the Briarcliff Heights neighborhood which is located in a part of Atlanta that is considered to be unincorporated DeKalb County. 

An important distinction to make is that between three similar sounding schools that have all been a part of the cell tower protest:  Brockett Elementary School is located in Tucker.  Community members there rallied early and were able to have their school removed from the school board's list in July.  By August, these parents started organizing an outreach campaign to inform the communities surronding the 9 schools still on the school board's list. 

The first school that Brockett Elementary, via Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter, reached out to assist was Briarlake Elementary School in an unincorporated part of DeKalb that uses the name of Decatur.  And, just recently members of GTCO-ATL were successful in reaching the Margaret Harris School in Atlanta, a community known as Briarcliff Heights.  To make matters even more confusing, Lakeside High School, the school that reportedly started the initial inquires into placing cell towers at schools to assist with their dropped call issues, is located in Atlanta on Briarcliff Road.

If you can keep all those "B's" straight, we'll give you an "A" for effort!

It's Official: Cell Towers at DeKalb Schools Should Offend Everyone Equally

Contrary to some news reports, a look at the map below shows the towers where the T-mobile propsal suggested our county needed their towers.  The 9 schools that were approved by the DeKalb County Board of Education July 11 are spread out fairly evenly with 4 in the north, 4 in the south and 1 left in the centrally located region.

Click to enlarge.

Pre-order FULL SIGNAL in time for the holidays!



Click here to put on Pre-Order on Amazon.com

We have watched this documentary and highly recommend it.  You will learn a lot about what has gone on behind the scenes with the cell phone industry since its inception and the role of T-mobile in all of it.  Very informative! This title will be released on December 20, 2011.  Pre-order now!  Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Want to receive this the day it comes out? Release-day delivery option may be available at checkout for most continental U.S. addresses.

Ordering for Christmas? To ensure delivery by December 24, choose Two-Day Shipping at checkout. Click here to go to the Amazon.com page for Full Signal, the documentary about cell phones that the industry doesn't want you to watch!

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT: 7/11/11 DeKalb County School Board Meeting - They Don't Care

Don McChesney proposes to remove

Meadowview, Brockett and Medlock Elementary Schools

from the cell tower proposal for 12 schools.

Question by Donna Edler to McChesney:  Why?
McC:  We've heard from these communities and they've been clear,

so I'm supporting their opinion.

Vote on McChesney's ammendment:  approved 7:1

(Donna Edler votes no as she states she favors removing all schools, not just three.)

Speaks:  Is there a grace period so that other communities can speak up

but haven't had the opportunity?  (audience spontaneously applauds.)

Paul Womack, acting chair in lieu of Tom Bowen's absense, admonishes them.

Speaks:  Is there a mechanism for other communities

to let the district know that they have an issue?

Ramona Tyson (interim superintendent): 

no option other than to pull the item.

Womack:  Isn't there a 6-month window?
Steve Donahue (Facilities Director in charge of the cell tower committee): 

T-mobile has 6 months for due diligence.

Nancy Jester:  concerned about many things.  I don't like the timing -

we didn't get this till Friday.  Didn't get financials.  Term is too long. 

I favor an opt-in rather than an opt-out for communities. 

There may be others we haven't heard from so I am reticent to support.

...

...

Donna Edler:  It's not the school system's business to provide

cell and Internet service to the county.

Vote on Edler's ammendment to remove all towers except two

(Lakeside and Briarlake) - Motion fails.

Vote on the main motion

(minus the three schools removed

during the McChesney ammendment): 

Passes 6:2

(Edler and Jester vote no)

------ Fast forward to 8/31/11 ------
Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter
FEEDBACK...

From South DeKalb, "I spoke with the Director of Planning yesterday...
He said that the school board has the power

to go ahead with the construction
and the county has no say whatsoever. 

The state law gives them that rite to totally ignore our local zoning laws."

From North DeKalb, "Just talked to (Planning Department) -

she is going to try and find the governing law / regulation and get back to me. 

She confirmed there will be no hearing and no vote."

Also from North DeKalb, "On the proposed location #2 file,

why is my neighbor's house labeled #3?"

September 2011

Meeting is held by PTA at request of Paul Womack

to reassure parents at Briarlake Elementary School
that 120 towers in a 4-mile radius is not excessive.

District School Board Representative Paul Womack

to a parent who feels forced to move:

"I don't care."

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GTCO-ATL
(Get the Cell Out - Atlanta)

Please oppose cell towers
at all schools in DeKalb County, GA.

Our future depends on it.