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Parents, School Gearing Up For Fight Over Cell Tower

Tribune photo by JAMIE PILARCZYK

Concerned parents started circulating a petition asking for cell phone towers to be banned from all schools just before Thanksgiving.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

Published: January 7, 2009

CULBREATH HEIGHTS - This South Tampa community is gearing up for what likely will be a heated discussion tonight of the possibility of erecting a 100-foot cell phone tower on the campus of Coleman Middle School.

Proponents say the tower would provide better cellular telephone service in the area and raise money for the school.

Perceived health risks and the possibility of a drop in neighborhood property values are driving most of those who oppose the tower.

"We're not saying get rid of wireless transmissions," said Bill Cook, a Culbreath Bayou resident who flew to Seattle during the New Year's holiday to meet with a scientist on the subject. "There are ways to make it safer."

Coleman Principal Michael Hoskinson said he has heard positive and negative comments and is hoping to make a decision by the end of the week.

"I'm keeping an open mind," Hoskinson said. "My job is to listen to both sides. … I want to put this thing to rest one way or another."

The tower, which would be built by Collier Enterprises II, based in Tampa, could be leased by up to four cell service carriers with T-Mobile as the anchor, said company President Stacy Frank.

Collier would pay for construction and management and evenly split rental profits with the school district. At about $11,250 per carrier annually, that's roughly $450,000 for the school district over the 10-year term of the lease - with Coleman keeping about 80 percent of that amount.

Parents, teachers, school administrator and neighborhood residents are invited to tonight's public meeting at 6 in the school cafeteria, 1724 S. Manhattan Ave. Speakers are limited to three minutes; those interested in participating must sign up between 5:30 and 6 p.m.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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