While we understand the reasons
for the town of Oneonta Zoning
Board of Appeals’ denial of a plan
to site a Verizon Wireless cell tower
near the National Soccer Hall of
Fame, we hope this isn’t the last we
hear of a plan to bring cell-phone
coverage to the West End.
Town officials had to navigate a
morass of regulations in considering
Verizon’s request, including
town zoning codes, federal telecommunications
legislation and
applicable case law.
To grant a variance to the town
code, officials needed to hear a
proposal from Verizon that would
convince them that the proposed
tower would offer “safe and adequate
service.”
The board would also need to be
convinced that the site in question
_ at 101 Browne St. _ was the best
site.
Verizon representative Steve
Ruppenthal said the Browne Street
site was one of seven under consideration,
adding that Browne Street
was chosen because it was the best
location.
However, Board Chairman Douglas
Cannistra said the proposed
144-foot tower would provide coverage
for only a two-mile radius.
Based on map readings, this radius
would just barely reach the city
line, and would not quite reach
West Oneonta, covering only a limited
portion of the West End.
It seems this wasn’t quite what
Cannistra had in mind when he
asked for “service for our people.”
While Verizon attorney Clifford
Rohde said he didn’t know what
the company’s next step would be
after the board denied the company’s
request, we remain hopeful
that the company will find other
options for a tower.
While the area is populous
enough that a stranded motorist
would not have to travel too far to
find aid, we still think it is important
that the residents, business
owners and employees of the West
End have adequate cell service.
And while we sympathize with
area residents’ concerns about cell
phone towers spoiling the skyline,
we’re willing to trade in a little less
scenery if it will improve the quality
of life for those who live and
work in the area.
We hope that Verizon, and other
providers, will not give up on this
area, nor on other local areas
where cell service is spotty or lacking.
As cell phones become ubiquitous,
robust cell service will help
this area attract businesses and
retain residents.
It may not always be easy for
local officials, area residents and
providers to agree, but it’s well
worth trying.
Editorials
Don't give up on cell coverage
- Editorials
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
Continued ... -
Women must win fight for opportunity
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will recommend that Congress officially allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.
Continued ... -
Center helps victims of child abuse and neglect
We learned some good news about some terrible news in a story by reporter Joe Mahoney in Tuesday's Daily Star.
Continued ... -
Chamber made excellent choices on service awards
A special committee selected by the Otsego County Chamber has made two excellent decisions regarding the organization's annual awards for service to our communities.
Continued ... -
Cheers
To Michael Shea, Terry Bliss, and the passage of the bill to allow Otsego's exit from MOSA.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
Continued ... - Saturday, February 4, 2012
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Pill abuse should be a priority for police, pols
Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas proposed a bill this week to help police combat a disturbing trend of increasing prescription drug abuse.
Continued ... - Friday, February 3, 2012
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More needs to be done to aid vets with PTSD
The recent story of Stamford grandmother Melody DiGregorio grieving the loss of her grandson, Air Force veteran Edward "Drew" Snyder, brings home the debilitating and often-unreported effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on our service men and women.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Area 'shocked' at underage drinking? That's shocking
It has been referenced so often that it has become a cliché.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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School's new lease on life a welcome development
It is a big place designed to echo with the sounds of young people in a healthy learning environment.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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Cheers
To the Central American Youth Ambassadors Program, to Ray Preston and to the NCOC building trades class and the Prattsville Fire Department.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Mitt's not at fault for loopholes in tax code
As the longtime frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney has faced withering attacks from rivals seeking to upset him.
Continued ... - Saturday, January 28, 2012
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Rest in peace, Naples and Stalter
Our area recently lost two important and influential members of our community: Oneonta surgeon Dr. Kenneth D. Stalter and newly elected Sixth Ward Council Member Mike Naples.
Continued ... - Friday, January 27, 2012
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Case closed on 2 years of turmoil
"Case closed."
Continued ...
Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller was referring to possible criminal charges against fired police officer Michael Breen on Wednesday, but Miller just as easily could have been talking about the more than two years of turmoil the city has endured with its police department. - Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Obama played his cards right Tuesday
Despite a daunting economy and a challenging re-election campaign, on Tuesday night President Barack Obama displayed what Mark Twain called "the calm confidence of a Christian holding four aces" in his State of the Union address.
Continued ... - Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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Searching for votes instead of honor
Say what you will about John McCain, the Republican nominee for president in 2008 who inflicted an ignorant Sarah Palin upon an unsuspecting nation.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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Cheers
To MLK Jr. Day events, Diana Nicols, and Jordan Beers and Mariah Ruff.
Continued ... - Monday, January 23, 2012
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Dignity not enough to show in speech
After weeks of watching the often unseemly, if not downright humorous, antics of the Republican candidates for his job, President Barack Obama should have little trouble providing at least one thing Tuesday night in his State of the Union address. Dignity.
Continued ... - Saturday, January 21, 2012
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Tension with Iran is better than war
The dispute between Iran and the U.S. appeared close to boiling over into outright war last week, when a bomb in Tehran killed an Iranian nuclear scientist and Iran sentenced an accused Iranian-American spy to death.
Continued ... - Friday, January 20, 2012
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Let's hope no funding means no drilling
When it comes to state approval or disapproval of hydrofracturing in New York state, we certainly hope that no news is good news.
Continued ...
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
