Saturday, February 04, 2012

The U.S. Green Party "Schools Are No Place for Cell Phone Towers"


DeKalb Greens Co-Host Urgent Town Hall Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2012

For further information, please contact:
Richard Searcy and Dr. Jewel Crawford, MD
dekalbgp@georgiagreenparty.org
Co-Chairs, Green Party of DeKalb County

Dr. Darren Harper - dharper1of5@netzero.net
Janice Harper - jnh2005@netzero.net

Are environmental hazards putting the health of our families at risk? Is the health and well-being of our children for sale in DeKalb County?

Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Environment (CHASE), in partnership with No Briarlake Tower LLC, The Green Party of DeKalb County, DeKalb County NAACP, and other concerned environmental and neighborhood association groups, are hosting an urgent town hall meeting on Saturday February 11, 2012 from 1pm - 3pm at the Conference Center on the campus of Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Formerly DeKalb Tech) at 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, Georgia 30021, to discuss:

The Dangers of Cell Towers on School Buildings
Hazards of Biomass Incineration (Gasification)
Clean Energy Alternatives
Citizen Action to Demand a Safe Environment

In 2011, concerned citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia initiated the formation of a grassroots community organization, CHASE, to stop the proposed approval of a biomass incinerator. As a watchdog organization, CHASE informs the community of proposed projects that will have a negative environmental impact that can result in illness for DeKalb residents, especially the children. CHASE has challenged Green Energy Partners Inc., a biomass incinerator business, on its proposal to put a plant in Lithonia. Extensive research has shown that it is environmentally unhealthy and can cause or worsen lung diseases such as asthma.

Despite the fact that CHASE presented the DeKalb County Commissioners with a packet of information about the harmful health effects of this facility, the commissioners, led by Lee May in whose district the plant would be placed, voted unanimously to approve the Special Use Land Permit for the plant. Voters in the district represented by District 4 Commissioner May, as well as many other concerned citizens, came out in overwhelming numbers to voice their objection to this health hazard business deal, but our concerns were ignored.

As a result, CHASE proceeded to file a lawsuit against the DeKalb County Commissioners for granting the permit for this facility. The lawsuit, which has yet to get underway, has so far prevented the incinerator from being built. In addition, Green Energy Partners was asked to withdraw their application for a permit from Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) because of "deficiencies" in their application. CHASE will remain vigilant to protect our community from this hazard, but we need the voices of the people of DeKalb County to stand with us to protect our families.

2012 has begun with a continued demand for environmental justice. CHASE is joining the fight against the placement of cell phone towers on DeKalb County school building properties. Children are our future and they need to be protected from businesses that endanger their health and well-being for corporate profit. We join with No Briarlake Tower LLC, which has been fighting this issue for some time. They have grown in membership and have made a great impact fighting this issue.

Studies have shown that radiation emission from cell phone towers is an environmental hazard, especially on the growing body of a child. Such emissions can increase cancer rates, especially brain cancer rates.

Schools are no place for cell phone towers.

http://www.gp.org/press/pr-state.php?ID=475

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