Citizens who want to keep a T-Mobile cell tower out of Mount Shasta’s Shastice Park have formed a new group called Friends of the Park.
Though members are concerned about a variety of issues surrounding the cell tower, the group is focusing on helping the Mount Shasta Recreation and Parks District stay afloat without the money it could make through a contract with T-Mobile.
Last month during a well attended MSRPD public hearing, it was announced that T-Mobile is interested in placing a 35 foot extension on the already existing 55 foot light pole in far left field of the McKenzie Field ballpark. Though no firm contract has yet been discussed, the initial offer from T-Mobile was $1,200 to $1,300 a month.
If other companies were to co-locate to the tower (a common practice in the cellular business world) this could bring additional revenue to the District.
Friends of the Park plan to meet each Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at The Stage Door in Mount Shasta until March 16, when the MSRPD will make their decision.
“Most people’s main concern is for their health,” said Dawn Fazende, one of the group’s organizers. “If the Parks District approves a tower, the Mount Shasta Planning Commission cannot consider health factors when making their decision. So we’re trying to stop this tower before it gets that far.”
Fazende added that though she doesn’t know for sure whether or not cell towers are dangerous, she’s uncomfortable taking a chance with a tower in a public park where children frequently play.
She also said she’s suspicious of T-Mobile’s motive for putting a tower in the middle of a small town like Mount Shasta.
During the group’s first meeting on Sunday, Fazende said members came up with a variety of ideas to give the park a consistent stream of income without a cell tower, including donation boxes, use fees for the Sacramento Headwaters, grant writing and even monthly pledges to be deducted straight from donor’s bank accounts.
Though Fazende acknowledged a need for wireless technology, she stated that she’s concerned with mitigating where cell towers and similar structures are allowed to be built. She worries that putting a cell tower in Shastice Park will set a precedent and open the door for more. She’s also concerned that property values around the tower would go down.
For additional information about the Friends of the Park, contact Melinda at (530) 355-7777.
Mount Shasta, Calif. —
