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Health & Fitness

How Connected Are You to Corruption?

How I Know You Will Vote "No" to the Cell Towers at the bottom of your ballot today.

Your Ballot May Reveal More than You Realize...

I wanted to write a short blog to tell you why you should vote "No" on the other "T" on your ballot in DeKalb.  We've all heard about the "T-SPLOST" but little hype has been mustered up for the "Telecommunications Tower Referendum" that will also be on the ballot tomorrow.  And, that's OK with me. 

I realized that the cell towers, unlike the T-SPLOST, have been top of mind for a lot of people for a long time now.  Those who have worked so hard to spread the word to others have done so out of genuine concern for the welfare of their community and the best interest of the children.  We know how people across DeKalb feel about it, so there really is not a need for last moment pleas. 

Find out what's happening in Tuckerwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I have faith that you will read the question carefully and vote your conscience.  I'm really more worried that you might decide to bail and not show up to vote at all.  So, I'm using this space to remind you to set your alarm clock a few mintues earlier than normal.  Get the the polling place first thing in the morning before you forget. And then wear your little sicker proudly all day long so you can be a good influence on others to get out and vote, too.

How I Know You Will Vote "No" to the Cell Towers

Find out what's happening in Tuckerwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I've spoken to enough people about this subject to know that there is not a single person who would want a cell tower near their child's school or in view of their own home.  And if we cannot picture ourselves taking on a burden, then we have no right to shove it off on someone else, either.  I have faith that we all feel this way and no one needs a lecture to remind them of that fact.  We have to look out for each other, not just ourselves.

If you want to read more about this issue and the harm and outrage it has caused over the past year, you can visit www.GETtheCELLoutATL.org.

But, if you want to know how the Law of Unintended Consequences will be at work tomorrow, then read on:

The only possible good that anyone can claim a cell tower might bring with it is money, right?  But, did you know that cell tower money does absolutely nothing for our schools, our children, education or even the community at large?  That's right...

cell towers fund corruption, pure and simple. 

And,  anyone connected to the corruption will be acutely aware of this fact.

Cell tower funds are from a private enterprise, the telecommunications industry.  The towers are not need for educational purposes.  In fact, cell phones themselves are one of the largest distractions to learning in today's school environment and at all the campuses in DeKalb, they are prohibted from being turned on and discouraged from even being brought to class at all.  

It is against the law in Georgia for teens to use any mobile device while driving or even riding in a motor vehicle as many children have died as a result of inexperienced and distracted driving.  

Cell towers are also prohibited by DeKalb County ordinance from going up in any residentially zoned areas, which happen to be where our schools also exist.  The loophole in the law is that the school board reports to the state and has the right to an exemption from zoning IF they are building something that is primarily for an educational or public purpose, but NOT if the structure is proprietary in nature.  Sorry guys, cell towers are for profit, lots of profit, and that's pretty hard to hide. 

DeKalb County Commissioners presented a united front to CEO Burrell Ellis in a letter that was penned jointly back in April of this year.  In it, the commissioners stated that the county ordinances were established to "ensure the safety of the residents and protect the value of single-family residences." 

Even the language in the cell tower contracts themselves spells out that corruption is afoot. Under the section of the lease titled "Miscellaneous," it reads "Neither party shall record this Lease in the official records of DeKalb County."  In the section titled rent, it states that the "Landloard" (the school district) agrees not to send statements of any kind to the "Tennant" (T-Mobile).

So, if there is no record of a lease and no statements will be sent, then how exactly are we supposed to track this revenue and determine if it has any benefit to the children of DeKalb County whatsoever?  That's just it.  We aren't supposed to track the money precisely because it won't help any children or their schools.  Cell towers fund corruption.  There really is little else they can do.

The money cannot be used for teacher salaries, books or anything that would normally be paid from the General Fund as that is the responsibility of taxpayers.  And, it can't be used for capitol improvements like buildings, maintenance, general facilities improvements as that money is already being collected from the E-SPLOST tax approved by voters last November. 

So, if you are like me and everyone I know, and you value the sanctity of your home, your rights to live in an area that's relatively free of environmental hazards, then I know you will vote "No."  And, if you do not want to contribute to the corruption that is currently harming our children and bankrupting our entire school district, then I know you will vote "No."

If you have been promised something in exchange for your vote or if you work for someone who has told you that you are expected to vote in a particular way as it will keep your job with them secure, then I know you are having a moral dilema right about now. 

All I can say is that I hope you consider the consequences and vote your conscience.

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