Neighbor News
City of La Mesa says YES to hazardous 5G small cells
Agrees they need resident input for more permanent policy following 5G protest and media exposure
(Oct. 23, 2019) Tuesday afternoon, a small but determined dozen protesters and concerned citizens of La Mesa gathered in front of La Mesa City Hall, prior to the City Council meeting, where a small cell wireless policy described as "weak" by some would be voted on. Very serious health and environmental concerns were at the top of the list of concerns, followed by property value depreciation (where small cells are located), privacy, and security issues.
The health and environmental concerns are well documented with tens of thousands of studies showing definite harm (1), and a recent large government study showing "clear evidence of cancers" from microwave radiation- the type to be emitted a great distance by "small cells" deployed in La Mesa and many other towns that don't take precautions. However during the meeting, one telecom company representative imaginatively told the city council that "the overwhelming finding of scientific studies is that there are no known health risks" but wouldn't meet their eyes as he told this tale, while being roundly met with disagreeing vocalizations from a large number of the audience. Perhaps he meant the overwhelming majority of INDUSTRY studies showed no harm? For more information on the extensive science on harm from microwave radiation and electrosmog pollution click here. For information on stronger, more protective municipal ordinances click here.
People do not wish to live near cell towers, nor mini-cell towers along their streets, nor in front of homes, and in California, a nearby cell tower is a nuisance or hazard requiring mandated disclosure when a property is sold. A realtor from Rancho Santa Fe recently told San Diego Supervisors that small cells were actually making some properties "unsellable", rather than the usual 20-30% property value depreciation for homes near cell towers, documented by studies. Click here for more info regarding small cells causing property values to drop significantly.
Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Protesters and interested residents spoke to a swarm of local media, interviewing for 1 1/2 hours, until the meeting began at 6 PM. Then both media and residents packed the City Council chambers, where wireless representatives tried justify irradiating the community, a consultant told the mayor and city council that they had no choice, and resident speakers spoke very strongly against selling out the residents for profit (leasing poles for $1,000 or more), causing extreme health problems for the city's populuation that won't be able to be fixed, along with property devaluation concerns.
URGENT ALERT: AT&T's representative said during the meeting that the company has 8 applications ready to be turned in for small cells to be placed somewhere in La Mesa, perhaps in front of your home! Those would be erected within 60 days (and perhaps far earlier) if placed on an existing pole, according to the FCC shot clock regulations which took effect Jan. 14, 2019. The city has to notify those living within 300 feet of each small cell, within 10 days of the receipt of the application, but that uses up 10 days of the 60 day shot clock! We suggest demanding to know where the small cells are to be planned for, immediately, with full transparency from Day One of the application being received, posted on the city website, and for whomever asks. "The ten day notice" is one of many examples we could give of why we feel the city's now-adopted 5G small cell policy is unnecessarily "weak." For stronger ordinances see resources, below.
Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The mayor and city council looked like deer caught in the headlights, as they'd tried very hard to cut the public out of this entire process, and were nearly successful, if it weren't for "a small group of concerned citizens."* They tried to look intelligent but it was obvious none of them knew much of anything on the topic and had to get their answers from wireless representatives and an outside consulting firm that basically told them they had no choice, and so they voted 4-1 for the weak interim policy that allows small cells throughout the city. The city's school teacher mayor and council did not do what many others have done, and that is, listen to the concerned residents, taking a continuance to learn more about the topic, and involve citizens in the decision-making and policy or ordinance-designing process, while instituting a short moratorium on small cell applications. This could be life and death for many, but this La Mesa Mayor and City Council ignored earlier communications from Center for Electrosmog Prevention, a national 501c3 nonprofit based in La Mesa, which made at least 7 trips to city hall to reach out and provide information about the dangers of 5G, and backed this up, at least on several occasions, by emailing much information from researchers and physicians on that issue. Total silence. Not interested in discussing the topic. Not until the media and protesters showed up at the last hour, Tuesday.
These elected officials now have approved a very loosey-goosey interim "policy" that favors industry over residents. They muttered some statements during the meeting about including residents and holding community workshops about 5G, for the next step in the process. But will they, really? Or was that mere posturing, as politicians are known best for.
* "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead
We invite the residents of La Mesa to consider this letter to download, personalize and email to the City's mayor and city council - designed for use before the vote, it can be adapted to object to the decision of the city council that has already occurred.
La Mesa City Councilmembers and Mayor Arapostathis email addresses are: marapostathis@cityoflamesa.us, bbaber@cityoflamesa.us, kalessio@cityoflamesa.us, aweber@cityoflamesa.us, cparent@cityoflamesa.us
If you are interested in working with a core group of concerned La Mesa residents and business owners who want to provide the city with the 5G information they are missing, and share with them how to write a solid ordinance to protect residents, contact director@electrosmogprevention.org. Meanwhile, call or write La Mesa's mayor and city council and let them know how you feel about having the entire city irradiated by carcinogenic microwave radiation, while they wash their hands of responsibility. You also want to know exactly where those 8 small cells will be placed so you can file an appeal with the city, though the appeals must allegedly not be based on radiofrequency radiation emissions, per the city's policy, based on some very bad federal laws.
See related article with links to scientist statements and more in the Patch article, "La Mesa Poised to Approve Hazardous 5G Small Cells"
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Related news segments and articles:
"La Mesa residents raise concerns over 5G towers" https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/... Fox News San Diego
"La Mesa to regulate 5G cell towers, critics say that’s not enough" https://www.kusi.com/la-mesa-t... KUSI News San Diego
"La Mesa passes resolution to regulate 5G towers"
La Mesa Protest CBS 8 News
(1) EMF Portal(independent studies must be separated from those conducted by industry and statements by industry-captive government agencies and health organizations such as American Cancer Society and World Health.) Enter search term such as "microwave radiation" or "millimeter wave."
EH Trust Factsheet: What You Need To Know About 5G And Small Cells: Science, Policy And Public Health
5G Telecommunications Science (Physicians for Safe Technology)
Additional Resources:
City of La Mesa Policy on Small Cell Wireless as Approved Oct. 22, 2019
Center for Electrosmog Prevention
Marin County Board of Supervisors' Wireless Ordinance Workshop
Encinitas residents vocal in opposition to 5G cell towers ...
Encinitas residents rail against 5G cell towers - YouTube
Stop 5G with Protective Wireless Ordinances
Letter from Dr. Beatrice Golomb UCSD researcher on dangers of 5G
EMF Portal searchable database for 4G/5G studies
5G Small Cells and Property Value
Health Effects from Low Level RF Radiation – Color Charts
Martin Pall, PhD: Dangers of 5G
Tom Wheeler, former FCC Chair, 5G proponent, reveals why no safety testing
RED ALERT: 5G industry leaders admit NO safety testing when questioned by Senator Blumenthal