Cell Tower Fight Update

We submitted a 47 page document to the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission on Tuesday Sept. 9th. Of course it became part of the Public Record and so Verizon had immediate access to it. Long story short is that Verizon's attorney asked the OMPC to delay the hearing until October 9th - they can ask for delays but we can't - go figure. We've been doing a ton of legal research; the results of which we included in the 47 page document. We're concerned that the only reason that Verizon would ask for a delay is to have time to remedy the flaws in their application that we have pointed out. They also said they needed time to consider all the information that we have submitted.

From the beginning we have pointed out to the OMPC staff & Commission members that Verizon is acting in a high-handed and arrogant manner, and they are clearly saying to them and us that they do not have to respond. We desperately need the Commission members to realize that they do indeed have every right to deny Verizon's request based on the objective evidence that we have submitted thus far.

Surely, the Commission is ready to say that enough is enough. There is a considerable amount of effort being made and poor advice being given to persuade them that their hands are tied and that there is little they can do. NOTHING could be farther from the truth. Certainly there are serious flaws within Article 20 of the Zoning Regulation, that cries out for a remedy, however the Article still calls would-be cell tower builders to compliance in several key areas. We are simply pointing out to the Commission that it was never Verizon's intent to meet the spirit and intent of Article 20.

So, the beats goes on. Somehow we need to break through the apathy and fill the meeting room on October 9th with people willing to be a little vocal about a property owner's right not to have his property devalued and be made fearful of microwave radiation by the acts of a behemoth company like Verizon Wireless and an absentee landowner.