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Parents Rejoice: No Cell Tower

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: January 10, 2009

TAMPA - After weeks of vehement opposition, the principal of Coleman Middle School on Friday turned down a proposal to place a cell phone tower on the South Tampa campus.

"It's a huge relief," said Ari Fitzgerald, parent of a Coleman Middle student.
Fitzgerald helped lead the movement to persuade Principal Michael Hoskinson not to approve the 100-foot tower, an effort that involved collecting about 1,000 signatures on a petition, making door-to-door pleas among campus neighbors and encouraging a large turnout among opponents at a meeting at the school Wednesday.

"This thing generated a huge amount of anxiety," Fitzgerald said.

The primary objection of many parents and neighbors: Not enough is known about possible adverse health effects from long-term exposure to radio frequency emissions from antennas attached to the towers.

Hoskinson announced his decision in an e-mail sent to Coleman Middle parents at about noon Friday. He also sent home a letter with students in which he specified his reasons for the decision:

"After reviewing research from multiple sources, I do not believe the cell tower would have posed any danger to our children. I do believe our school would have benefited from the additional revenue. Also, I am convinced there will be a cell tower constructed in the area in the near future.

"However, the issue clearly has become divisive and a distraction in our school and our community. ... In the end, my decision was not based on one study or another, and it was not based on money. My decision was based on my belief - after considering all factors, and hearing all points of view - that it is not in the best interest of our school."

At a news conference Friday afternoon, Hoskinson praised parents for their involvement and passion.

"I applaud them," he said. "Parents should be doing what's best for their children."

In Hillsborough County, school principals decide whether to allow towers on their campuses. A Tampa company, Collier Enterprises II, works with the school system to negotiate placement of the structures. A tower can bring a single school tens of thousands a year in leasing fees from cell phone companies, with a smaller amount going to the school district.

Hoskinson will depend on parents continuing their financial support of the school at 1724 S. Manhattan Ave. On Friday he said he had learned of parents offering to host golf tournaments to raise money.

Shortly after Hoskinson's announcement, parent Lisa Williams said she began securing a site for a jewelry sale to raise funds for the school.

An outspoken opponent of the cell phone tower, she said she "just about had a heart attack" when she heard the good news.

"We are very excited and I'm going to put my money where my mouth is," said Williams, a mother of two Mabry Elementary students and resident of nearby Sunset Park.

Stacy Frank, president of Collier Enterprises II, said she understood Hoskinson's reasoning for his decision. She said she doesn't think the outcome will affect other schools' interest in the towers.

Eleven schools in the county have cell phone towers; two more schools have contracts to install the structures; and three others are negotiating to get them.

"For the schools we've worked with in the past, there has been no opposition because these schools really need it," Frank said.

T-Mobile, a cell phone carrier that hoped to be the anchor tenant on a Coleman Middle tower, will evaluate other options in the immediate area, spokeswoman Ann Brooks said.

"Just because the school said no doesn't mean the need has gone away," Brooks said.

Fitzgerald, the Sunset Park resident and parent, called Hoskinson's decision "correct and courageous."

"We worked very hard to present the best possible case against the tower, and we're relieved by Principal Hoskinson's decision," she said. "It's gratifying to know that our case was heard."

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

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