Lynne Leach, President MDSC
119 Ready Rd.
Walnut Creek, Ca. 94598
March 3, 2010
Dear Scout/Sir;
We are long-time (15-year) residents of El Cerrito, and we regularly take our children to Arlington Park to play. We are writing you to oppose the construction of a Cell Phone Tower next to Arlington Park, in the Boy Scouts’ Camp Herms, El Cerrito.
Arlington Park is our favorite place to take our children. We think it is one of the most beautiful and safe parks in the East Bay, with wonderful trees and wildlife. We love it, and we bring our children there to play. We meet toddlers, children, and families from El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley, and Richmond in the Park, with families, friends, and grandparents all in a wonderful mix.
We value and love the Park because it is a safe and quiet place for mothers, kids, and families to play and spend time together. It is our home-away-from-home. We also see schools and day camps come to use the Park.
Please don’t change this. We were upset to recently learn that the Boy Scouts are constructing a 77-foot (6-story) Cell Phone Tower (20X30 feet at base) next to Arlington Park, close to neighbors (300 feet) and to children playing at Arlington Park (300 feet), and right on top of Boy Scouts at Camp Herms.
Cell Towers continuously emit RF/EMF 24 hrs/day. We do not want our grandchildren exposed to electromagnetic radiation, as these Cell Tower emissions are “dangerous to human health”. [Health Effects from Cell Phone Tower Radiation http://www.mountshastaecology.org/Archive/Health_Effects_from_Cell_Phone_Tower_Radiation.html] [ Cell Phone Towers : How Far is Safe? www.emf-health.com/articles-celltower.htm] http://www.emrnetwork.org (Santini 2002).
We have learned that health studies – primarily in Europe – conclude that living near Cell Towers is especially hazardous to children; Cell Towers should be no closer than 1300 feet (¼ mile) from residences, schools, and parks frequented by children (Resolutions to Regulate Cell Tower Sitings www.cloutnow.org/lacbos/ ) www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35421-2004Dec29_2.html http://repfloren.com/?p=163 ].
We understand that Cell Towers have been rejected by Mira Vista Golf Course, Arlington Community Church, El Cerrito High School, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Colusa Avenue Building, Kensington Circle, Albany High School, Albany School District, Berkeley Unified School District, EBMUD, Walnut Creek School District, Marin County Superior Court in Tiburon, Los Angeles Unified School District, etc.
The International Fire Fighters Association will not allow Cell Towers on their sites. They state, “IAFF oppose the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.” [ www.iaff.org/hs/Facts/CellTowerFinal.asp ]
Please don’t put a Cell Tower here, next to all our kids. Stop the Boy Scouts Tower! Please keep Arlington Park safe for kids. If not, we will no longer use the Park. To discuss our concerns, we can be reached at XYZ.com, or at 510 526-xcdf.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jane Q. Public
cc: apact_community@yahoo.com
