Oregon school board to unplug cell towers

West Linn-Wilsonville school board to unplug cell towers, and some income, Sep 2008

Has a nice picture of the football team practicing in the shadow of the cell tower. Some excerpts:

The West Linn-Wilsonville school district is planning to reject cell towers. The board is concerned about possible health effects of electromagnetic emissions. At present, West Linn High School has a tower on the edge of its campus that came with property the district purchased 10 years ago.

"It hasn't been proven to be a hazard, but it hasn't been proven to be safe," said Jeff Hallin, school board member.

The school board, saying it is "erring on the side of caution," adopted a policy this month prohibiting commercial microwave technology sites and will oppose those proposed for sites adjacent to school boundaries.

Tigard-Tualatin School Board member Barry Albertson doesn't trust the towers.

Eight years ago, before he was on the board, he helped fight plans for a cell tower next to Mary Woodward Elementary School. "It was going to be a gigantic tower, and they offered money," he said. "The issue for schools is always about money -- more teachers and smaller class sizes."

Albertson, who holds a doctorate in biology, biochemistry and endocrinology and runs clinical research trials for a medical clinic, said children have different sensitivities to electromagnetic radiation.

"I'm not willing to risk it," he said. "Kids are far too important to me."

A popular trend is to "co-locate" cell/wireless antennae on an existing tower or other structure, said Jackie McCarthy, director of government affairs, PCIA -- The Wireless Infrastructure Association.

Local governments, including West Linn, Wilsonville and Lake Oswego, make it easier for wireless companies to add antennae to existing structures by requiring approval from planning departments only -- no public hearings.