Letter to the Editor - Taggart: Vote ‘yes’ on referendum to keep cell tower away from BV schools

On Nov. 3, Brandon voters have the opportunity to vote on whether land at Park Street and South Sioux Boulevard, directly across from Brandon Valley Intermediate School (BVIS) and Robert Bennis Elementary School (RBE), should remain zoned Natural Resources. A “Yes” vote would prevent the proposed 5G cell tower from being built at this location.

As a parent and community member, I believe this is the wrong location for a cell tower. There are no known gaps in cell coverage in this area, and an existing tower is already visible looking up Maple Street. This is also one of the busiest intersections in Brandon during school drop-off and pick-up, with limited ways for traffic to exit BVIS. The property is in a flood zone, and residents have concerns about nearby property values. Other property owners, including Husets have declined to host a tower. Why should we put one directly across from our children’s schools?

Families also have concerns about long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation, especially for children. We deserve clear answers about the proposed tower, its emissions, and whether a better location is available before moving forward.

This referendum is an example of our community coming together to push back against outside corporate interests when our community’s quality of life and, most importantly, the health of our children, teachers, and school staff are at stake.

This is about more than a cell tower. It’s about protecting our children, teachers, and school staff and making decisions that put our community first. More than 1,200 children attend these two schools, along with the teachers and staff who work with them every day. Their health and well-being should be a priority. We may not have all the answers about the long-term effects of wireless radiation, but I believe these concerns deserve to be taken seriously. Would we really want to risk even one child, teacher, or staff member’s health when there may be other locations for a cell tower? I don’t believe we should have to take that chance when it comes to the people who make up our school community.

On Nov. 3, please make your voice heard. A “Yes” vote keeps the Natural Resources zoning in place and prevents this cell tower from being built directly across from our schools.

Erin Taggart

Brandon