I am a parent of a rising fourth grader at Eastvalley Elementary, a rising sixth grader at East Cobb, and the treasurer of Eastvalley Foundation. I understand that the cell tower is again on the agenda for discussion with the board, and that it may be receiving a good deal of feedback from the opposition. I would like to speak in favor of the tower as an opportunity for our school.
The cell tower could mean significant opportunities for our school.
We have a wish list that could be satisfied with the initial outlay and renewal fees from the tower.
We would love to give our children some of the tools that the other schools in the area already have so that our children have the same opportunities.
We would also like to see this be a financial legacy with continuing income for our school at a critical time in funding for education.
Eastvalley is small, and has relatively small growth in the district. As such, outside funding from companies will aid in providing monies to our school at a time when the school district cannot justify allocation of funds to our school because other schools have greater need.
We have a varied economic background at our school which prevents a number of parents from being able to support the school in the same manner as parents at other nearby East Cobb schools. We need to look outside the school for funds.
We do not have enough students to qualify for Title I funding. We need to look outside the school for funds.
The opposition is concerned about the effect a tower might have on their property values due to appearance.
My understanding is that the tower will be disguised as a tree and located in a tree line so that its appearance will be virtually imperceptible.
There are many utilities and cell towers in the vicinity which do not draw attention and negative reaction. Cell towers are a fact of modern life. If not located at our school, they will move on to the next closest location in the area. Why not take advantage of the opportunity?
The opposition should consider the positive effects of having strong schools in the area. If Eastvalley is able to provide its students with benefits at the caliber that other East Cobb elementaries are already providing, it could have a ripple effect on East Cobb Middle and Wheeler and as a result on their property values.
I urge the board to consider the positive impact of the cell tower and approve its construction.
Gretchen Buchanan
East Cobb
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Property lines are just an archaic concept to be ignored in favor of what they tout as good for "the community". Where Nimbys are involved, what theirs is theirs, and what's next door is theirs, too. And of course, no matter what the issue, there's always a conspiracy behind the opposition, who lie at every turn. It's an antenna, not a nuclear waste dump. Get over it.
Case in point! the principal has lied! the April meeting was an informational meeting, I was there and was waiting like everyone else for a real form, until the board sneaked it for a quick unannounced vote. they were caught and made to re-vote.
If they re-vote for the tower with overwhelming, the principals days are numbered, because im sure the opposition will go all the way and prove in court Crooks, the principal, and the superintendent are all caught up in a conspiracy and have lied to the court about the overwhelming support at the April meeting!
Its going to get real exciting from here on, looks like the fight is on. cant wait to join the ranks against the silent minority of you in favor or the tower!
The supporters have built their campaign on deceiving the massess, from stating the proceeds go to offseting teacher pay cuts (untrue), to saying if we don't get the tower, the church will (again untrue), to misrepresenting the argument regarding Title 1 funding to now saying the tower will look like a tree!
This is a disgrace to our community that so many are willing to hang their hat on this "tower of money" at the price of destroying this community and the relationships that have built it.
Many are also asking why are all the special interests groups vehemently in support of this, including the PTA and Foundation leadership, related family members and teachers? Something looks quite suspect here. Maybe the money has alreay been spent?
Remember "good communities make good schools" not vice versa. Also, remember the golden rule people. What a disgrace. You should all be proud of yourselves.
And what's with all the secrecy? How come everyone needs to hide under an alias?
speed hump" ordinace vote - only those property owners directly impacted should be allowed to vote. This is the fair and reasonable approach to damaging someone's property. Their choice and the school gets one vote just like all of the impacted neighbors ?
Finally someone with a grasp of the big picture.
(You "silent majoritarians" need to speak up more often. Otherwise, with only the selfish nimbys prattling on at every turn, it looks like the rest of the populace agrees them.)
Just do it the right and legal way this time.