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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
I was asked by Point Roberts residents to give a talk to help
raise awareness about the health issues regarding cell towers
and the electromagnetic radiation that they broadcast.
I began my research as a concerned parent 10 years ago, when
a cell company proposed the installation of nine microwave transmitters
for the roof of my son’s elementary school. By educating
other parents, we successfully opposed this proposal.
Nine years later, I helped the Vancouver school board research
and draft a proposal banning cell towers from school property
or within 1,000 feet of a school, until they are proven safe.
They made a decision to err on the side of caution and approved
the motion in February, 2005. Other schools around the world
have followed suit. Most recently, the Greek Minister of Education
signed a bill prohibiting cell towers, radar or transmission
lines within 500 meters of any school.
Over the years I have become used to people who, with little
knowledge of the issue or with vested interests, mock my message
or attack me personally. My opinions are backed up with science.
There have only been seven published, peer reviewed papers studying
health effects of cell tower transmissions on humans. All seven
show harm. Similarly, there have been 28 independent epidemiological
studies published on cell phones and health. All of them also
show adverse health effects on people.
I work with citizens, government and industry for the deployment
of safe telecommunications infrastructures and minimal risk point-of-use
instrumentation. I have been involved in more than 100 siting
disputes. This is difficult to do when two out of the three stakeholders
won’t come to the table.
Milt Bowling, president
Clean Energy Foundation
Vancouver, B.C.
The Editor:
Orcas and Herons are both emblematic of Point Roberts. Wouldn’t
it be sad the day the Strait of Georgia gets so polluted that
the Orca population is killed off? Wouldn’t it also be
a sad day the day the Point Roberts heron population is killed
off?
I implore the parks board to ponder this for the simple reason
that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently has
a docket open for a public comments period on the deleterious
impact cell phone towers have on migrating birds.
Given that Point Roberts is located right along the Pacific flyway,
and given that herons have particularly big problems with cell
towers which kill them when they fly into them, I urge the parks
board to scrap their ill-considered plans. Although the parks
board did have a recent engineering assessment done of projected
thermal exposure from this planned Verizon tower at the school,
the assessment is meaningless for the simple reason that there’s
nothing in the parks board’s draft contract that would
limit the number of antennas Verizon could put on the tower once
it’s up.
As things stand, at only 800 feet from the school, the planned
tower is entirely too close. The closest they allow a cell tower
to a school in Greece is 1600 feet (500 meters).
At the parks board meeting last night I informed the parks board
that I will sue them if they continue to move forward with their
plans. I have an eyewitness who observed Irene Waters violate
my civil rights by removing my flyer from the community center
public bulletin board and I’m considering suing her right
now. I’m glad Shelly Damewood quit the parks board last
night. At least one of them appears to be thinking.
As an electrosensitive person who is heavily negatively impacted
by thermal radiation from cell towers, the only way I am willing
to accept a cell tower here in Point Roberts is if it is located
on commercially zoned land (and a minimum of 1600 feet from the
school) if it only services Point Roberts, and if its power output
is consistent with the New Zealand safety standards of .02 microwatts
of thermal exposure/ sq cm. (The FCC, which is operating off
30-year-old outmoded safety data) allows an exposure of 1000
microwatts / sq cm, which is far too much! Contact me at 945-0352,
jham@iahf.com to help sue.
John Hammell
Point Roberts
The Editor:
I am among the many who are opposed to the Verizon cell tower
proposed by the parks board to be placed on parks land located
in the vicinity of the Point Roberts primary school.
I have taken the time to review research material available and
share some of it with others. There are alternatives available
for successful communication in emergency situations, as well
as work related and personal communications (even a change in
carrier). The parks board has goals to enhance the youth programs
and acquire the heritage fire hall building, among other beneficial programs
to the community is commendable.
I would encourage others to support the parks board in achieving
these goals and the historical society in conjunction with their
plans with the thought of a personal monetary contribution to
the financial support needed. The consideration they have
put forth on their own to raise these funds through the payment
of a $1,000 month payment from Verizon, for a structure
that would put this community to risk, could then gracefully
be disbanded.
What I would like to see is the small allotted community parks
remain green and expanded on, maintain the safety of migratory
birds, a safe outdoor environment for our youth to explore,
(temptation to climb for the more than curious be considered), consideration
by the parks board for the electromagnetic exposure that will
disrupt concentration and learning abilities of students and
also retain property values without a aesthetic deterrent of
a visible 200 foot structure within a wooded green area where
the tallest trees stand 75 feet, avoidance of a wide access road
to that location, which would clear cut those trees. Perhaps
the serious review of alternative smaller and safer cellular
communication device on a commercial property 1,500 or 2,000
feet from the public that would allow local cellular reception
and not disrupt the Canadian cellular phone users’ communications
could be looked into.
Nancy King
Point Roberts
The Editor:
During the past month while Whatcom County and Skagit Valley
have been tormented with the challenges of adverse weather,
the American Red Cross has been there to aid the victims of
these disasters. Facing many home fires, windstorms, flooding,
rainstorms, snow and ice, Red Cross volunteers have worked
24/7 providing emergency assistance in the way of safe shelter,
food, and clothing.
For several weeks, Red Cross volunteers and staff have worked
excessive hours responding to one disaster after the other. Recent
efforts have cost the chapter tens of thousands of dollars. The
Red Cross will never stop providing free emergency assistance
to the communities we serve but we require the financial support
of our community.
Now the Red Cross is calling to the community for assistance
in our time of need. Thursday morning our offices were flooding
due to the snow melt on the roof. Our computer technology and
phone center were being deluged with the constant dripping of
water. We are concerned about loss of our network and communications
systems.
We require the financial assistance of the community to help
us with the monetary strain of the disaster response and aid
in the restoration of the flood damage we have sustained.
Everything the Red Cross does is made possible by the generosity
of the people in our community.
Please support the local Red Cross and give generously. Give
online at www.mtbakerredcross.org or mail a donation to American
Red Cross 2111 King Street Bellingham, WA 98225. For more info,
call 360/733-3290. Thank you,
Wendy Hewitt
American Red Cross
Bellingham
The Editor:
United for National Health Care is a Bellingham-based group working
to support legislation that provides comprehensive health care
benefits for every citizen of the United States regardless
of employment, income, or health. The legislation UNHC supports
is a bill pending in the U.S. Congress, H.R. 676, the U.S.
National Health Insurance Act.
On Saturday, January 13, 2007, UNHC will present the facts on
a single-payer health care system at the Bellingham Public Library.
What does single-payer mean? How does single-payer work in other
countries? What is H.R. 676? Why do we need H.R. 676? How
would H.R. 676 work in our country?
The presentation begins at 10 a.m. in the library’s
downstairs meeting room. Perhaps carpooling or even the use of
the community van could be arranged. For further information, please
contact Terri Zukovic at 945-8737. You can also go to UNHC’s
website at www.ufhc.org.
Terri Zukovic, Secretary, United for
National Health Care
Point Roberts
The Editor:
Special thanks to the many friends and family members who helped
me celebrate my 80th birthday. It was a wonderful week of celebration
and I appreciate the many kind remarks, cards and gifts of
encouragement. The special music and delicious lunch at the
church were highlights. With thanks and love.
Ernie Loreen
Point Roberts
Letters
Policy
The All Point Bulletin welcomes letters to the editor; however,
the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor.
Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number
for verification. Letters must not exceed 450 words and may be
edited or rejected for reasons of legality and good taste.
 A
fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers
will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid
personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for
publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered
on an individual basis.
Thank
You letters should be limited to ten names.
Only
one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be
published.
Please send
your letter to: P.O. Box 1451, Point Roberts, WA 98281
or fax (360) 945-1613.
E-mail:editor@allpointbulletin.com
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