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Cellphone Tower Plan Controversial

Tribune photo by JAMIE PILARCZYK

Molly Edwards hands the petition against the cellphone tower back to Ann Tobey, a Sunset Park resident and grandmother to a child at Coleman and Mabry Elementary schools.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: December 17, 2008

CULBREATH HEIGHTS - Plans to erect a cellphone tower at Coleman Middle School have parents and campus neighbors in a stir.

"There is a big reason to want the tower," said Bill Cook, a Sunset Park resident who said he appreciates the need for schools to raise money in the ongoing economic crunch. "But I feel some people don't have the whole story."

The 100-foot tower, which would be built by Collier Enterprises II based in Tampa, could be leased by up to four cell service carriers with T-Mobile as the anchor, said company President Stacy Frank.

Collier offered to pay for construction and management, and evenly split rental profits with the school district. At about $11,250 per carrier annually, that's roughly $450,000 for the school district over the 10-year term of the lease - with Coleman keeping about 80 percent of that amount.

"That's why I have to at least look at it," said Principal Michael Hoskinson. "I'm not going to put any kid in danger. Safety is the number one priority for me."

He said he has heard both positive and negative comments from parents but wanted to make sure he had all of his research done before a decision was made.

"I'm not taking it lightly," he said.

A community meeting on Dec. 10 was rescheduled for Jan. 7, in hopes of including more people in the discussion. An environmental study commissioned by the school district on the release of radio emissions by such towers will be completed by the January meeting as well.

"We won't do this unless the school wants it," said Frank. Fifteen Hillsborough County schools have cell tower agreements with the company, including Chiaramonte Elementary and Middleton High. This is the first time there has been such a negative response from parents.

"I've got schools calling me daily asking me to put one at their school," Frank said. "I'd hate to see something not done for reasons not well founded."

A primary concern is the possible health risk of radio frequency waves emitted from the towers. Frank insists the towers don't increase any level of radio frequency emissions, which she anticipates the district's study will confirm. "There's no proof of any negative health effects resulting from low wattage, radio frequency emissions," she said.

Skeptical parents said they can't take that assertion for granted. They noted some scientists question current safety regulation standards. And they referred to the American Cancer Society's Web site, which states that while there is no reason to suggest exposure to cell towers increases cancer risk, "cellular phone towers, like cellular phones themselves, are a relatively new technology, and we do not yet have full information on health effects. In particular, not enough time has elapsed to permit epidemiologic studies."

The bottom line, some parents said, is they would rather err on the side of caution and not expose their children directly to a cell tower.

"If you don't know, shouldn't you be cautious?" asked Ari Fitzgerald, who has a son at Coleman. "I'm a mother bear, and I'm going to protect my cubs and everyone else's, whether they like it or not."

Fitzgerald, Cook and Carrie Grimail, a mother of three Mabry Elementary students, in mid-November began circulating a petition opposing a tower at Coleman and asking the school board, city council and county commission to consider banning cell towers at schools. By the middle of last week they had more than 600 signatures.

Signs expressing opposition to installing a tower are in front yards along South Manhattan Avenue, across from Coleman. Banners encourage parents to call Hoskinson with their opinions

"We've been talking to people in the campus car line, and I've been handing out a fact sheet," said Grimail. "I feel the information isn't getting out there, and the information that is isn't accurate."

Frank said the 100-foot tower would be placed on athletic fields next to Coleman and would resemble existing light poles on the baseball fields.

The demand of cell phone usage is driving the need for another tower, she said. If the school turns down the proposal, a tower likely would be placed somewhere along Henderson Boulevard.

Hoskinson said the school has a lucrative PTSA, but it isn't that organization's responsibility to be the school's fundraiser. The PTSA's purpose is to support teachers and students by being a presence at the school, not just a resource for raising money.

"Ultimately this falls on my shoulders," said Hoskinson. "I want to get a true gauge as to what this opportunity will give us."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Community meeting on proposed cell phone tower

WHERE: Coleman Middle School cafeteria, 1724 South Manhattan Ave.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Jan. 7

CONTACT: Coleman Middle School at (813) 872-5335

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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