Cell towers need independent evaluation

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?

There are those of us who purposely moved to remote areas of the county seeking relationship with the land. We seem to be the ones who complain the least when our land-line phone is out (though it was a rare occasion before Verizon took over). Many of us do not have cell coverage — nor do we miss it.

Sometimes those in charge overdo in order to satisfy their need to “protect” the pioneers who are still a part of this county.

We hear a lot about “saving our life.” How about saving our souls? Being a part of the heart of the Piedmont, associating with those who feel the same is a privilege and – yes — a safety zone.

One would never wish personal injury on another — but at the same time we do not know the particulars of the Dave Matthews Band member’s accident. ATVs are acknowledged to be dangerous toys.

Much has been done to encourage visitors to Madison. Large numbers of forward-looking Madisonians have contributed time, effort and financial investments to that end to assure their creation meets the desires of the comprehensive plan. There is much to be gained by careful planning of more infrastructure.
We know that communities across the country have disguised their cell phone towers, regulated their height, and placed them sensitively in well considered locations. Possibility thinking makes tasteful plans come alive.

To repeat somewhat: Understanding that we are now in the future, it would seem that “officials” who grew up in the past would lean heavily on wisdom provided by today’s experts in dealing with these invading cell phone towers. Practical decisions made from the heart benefit everyone they touch — after assimilating all of the facts, those who can incorporate both seeing and feeling into their decision making are the ones who bring wholeness to those of us who live here.

(Guest columnist Hardie Newton is an Etlan garden and flower designer and author of “Hardie Newton’s Celebration of Flowers.” Contact her via e-mail at hardieblossoms@earthlink.net.)