Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2001
Our View
Cell Towers
i i
i Sprint's second effort much
improved - it s time to move on
Round 2 of the Sprint PCS "cell towers must be
in Rappahannock County" marathon has just
begun. Regardless of one's perspective on the !need for cell phones, the right of the Federates to jimpose their will on localities, the extent of damage to [the brain likely from a long-term relationship with a [personal wireless instrument, the effect of the electro[magnetic radiation emanating from a 199 foot •monopole on the migration routes of the ruby throated hummingbird, or the fact that rubidium-enhanced £ith$rs will render cell phones obsolete next week . . . St is time to be pragmatic. S The Telecommunications Act of 1996 dictates that no local jurisdiction may prohibit the emplacement of Jellular facilities, but it permits them to regulate to insure that such facilities are acceptable to the comSnunities in which they are located. ;'* The pressure applied by Rappahannock residents, jfonservation organizations and County officials has Slone that and has had an ameliorating effect on the Sprint PCS approach to Rappahannock-sited facilities. It is unlikely that Sprint PCS can or will Smprove their proposals. Their second application "shows significantly more sensitivity to the needs of the County—the towers proposed are, for the most part, placed within natural screens or they are "stealthy." It appears that they will not be a particularly onerous addition to our viewshed.
.This application needs a rigorous review by County officials and residents, but the ancillary issues have been well-aired and just might stay in the background for awhile. It is most likely that the County government feels as though it has done its job on this #task and is ready to move on to the next. • Attend the public hearing in September ... air your views . . . and, most importantly, focus on the real issues and support our County officials.
Letters to the editor
The Rappahannock News welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers as a forum for discussion of local public affairs subjects.
• WRITE: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 59, Washington, Va. 22747
• EMAIL: bwayland@timespapers.com
94.8%