Madison County officials are still fine-tuning proposed new rules regarding cell phone towers. The new policy aims to improve wireless communication in the county while protecting its “natural beauty,” according to drafts of the possible wireless communications ordinance.

It seems that Verizon wants to “protect” Madison County and has hired a consultant to that end. The question is why have we not — as a county — hired a practical minded engineer to study the facts delineating adequate cell coverage for our community? Placing our confidence in Verizon’s consultant is like allowing the fox to count the chickens as they go to roost for the evening. Where is the common sense in this equation?