READER’S EDITORIAL: EAST COUNTY CALL TO ACTION—STOP 5G MINI-CELL TOWERS FROM BEING PLACED IN FRONT OF YOUR HOMES
Supervisors have 180 days to amend ordinance and could consider legal action—if you speak out
By Susan Brinchman
March 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week the County Board of Supervisors (BOS) unanimously voted to allow hazardous high-radiation-emitting 5G "small cells", the same as are on cell towers, to be placed on street poles very close to homes in the unincorporated area of the County. This approval occurred despite receiving at least a thousand pages of information about the dangers to health, wildlife, insects, trees, plant life, andproperty values for the past month, and meeting with a number of concerned constituents. Property values may plummet as much as 30% near these "small cells", according to a local realtor, because people don't want to live near cell tower radiation. She was one of 24 speakers. Two Verizon employees spoke in favor of the ordinance, which is very industry-friendly. In September, the FCC issued orders which became effective on Jan. 14th, 2019, forcing local governments to have less control over this process. Meanwhile, 5G industry leaders admitted in a Senate hearing that no safety testing had been conducted.
"Less control" doesn't mean "no control". The BOS could have crafted a stricter ordinance like many other counties and cities are doing, After this vote, which shocked the many speakers, Chairperson Jacob said the Board of Supervisors may consider improving the ordinance in the next 180 days, and may also look at suing the FCC, as some speakers had urged.But will they, really?
I recommend you contact all five County Supervisors to let them know you want representation and to improve this wireless ordinance - tell them to stand up to the FCC and sue the agency - that these 5G "small cells" should not ruin our neighborhoods and make them unlivable, or harm our real estate investments. That you don't want small cell antennas anywhere near your homes. Ask them to tighten up this new wireless ordinance to protect the community and its property values and fight back against a federal government that has begun ordering us around locally. Tell them we have theright to protect life, health, and property.
Agenda item 2, #15. Speakers on wireless ordinance 48:00 - 1:58. Vote is at end of meeting - starts at 2:35:00.
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Not sure who your Supervisor is? Check this map: www.sdcounty.ca.gov/general/bos.html
1st District: Greg Cox
E-mail: greg.cox@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: (619)531-5511; Fax: (619) 235-0644
Website: www.sdcounty.ca.gov/bos1
2nd District: Dianne Jacob
E-mail: Dianne.jacob@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: (619) 531-5522; Fax: (619) 696-7253 fax
Website: www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/bos/sup2
3rd District: Kristin Gaspar
E-mail: kristin.gaspar@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone:: 619-531-5533; Fax: 619-234-1559
Website: http://www.supervisorkristingaspar.com/
4th District: Nathan Fletcher
E-mail: Nathan.Fletcher@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: Phone: 619-531-5544; Fax: 619-531-6262
Website: www.supervisornathanfletcher.com
5th District: Jim Desmond
E-mail: Jim.Desmond@sdcounty.ca.gov
Phone: Phone: 619-531-5555; Fax: 619-685-2662
Website: www.supervisorjimdesmond.com
Susan Brinchman is the Director of the Center for Electrosmog Prevention, a 501c3 nonprofit in Ramona, CA. Learn more atwww.electrosmogprevention.org. Contact Susan Brinchman atdirector@electrosmogprevention.org
The views in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.