South-end residents worried about a proposed cell tower in their neighbourhood won't be getting any answers tonight.
Bell Mobility wants to put up a flagpole-style cell tower on private property in response to complaints of dropped calls and poor wireless service from cellphone phone customers in nearby neighbourhoods.
A public open house arranged by Fontur International, a consulting firm for Bell Mobility, at Holly Community Centre has been cancelled following alleged threats of vandalism.
"Our planning department received official word late (Tuesday) night that Bell had asked for the meeting to be postponed," said Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard. "What I know is that, citing concerns brought to Bell's attention from the commercial plaza owner that the proposed site will be located on, and the potential for tonight's meeting to be a flashpoint that is not in their (Bell's) best interest, they have decided to postpone the meeting scheduled for tonight to allow a 'cooling off period'."
Brassard said Bell indicated it will re-examine how it intends to proceed with the location over the next couple of weeks.
"This was their (Bell's) meeting to conduct and the city facilitated the use of the community centre for it," Brassard said.
James Kennedy, a consultant of Fontur International for Bell Mobility, sent an e-mail to the city's planning department indicating the 2 Marsellus Dr. property landlord, Domenic Stillo, had been received threats, prompting the postponement of the meeting.
"Bell has been made aware that the landlord for the property has been targeted by threats of retribution and vandalism from local residents if he continues to support the location for the Bell installation on his property," stated Kennedy in the e-mail. "Bell feels there needs to be a cooling off period before any further action is taken on this location. The public meeting...seems to have become a flashpoint for this posturing, and we feel continuing with meeting would not serve Bell's interest or those of its landlord."
The Examiner was unable to reach Stillo for comment Wednesday.
According to Barrie police, no reports or complaints from Stillo about threats to himself or his property have been filed.
Stephen Naylor, the city's planning director, said its now a waiting game with the company.
"We're going to stand off until Bell regroups and decides what it's going to do next about the project," he said.
Naylor said he'll be attending the Holly Community Centre at 6:30 p.m. tonight to meet any residents showing up for the cancelled meeting and explain the situation.
Ken Gourlay and Bob Thornton, who both live close to the cell tower's proposed location, will also attend the rec centre to help turn people away at 7 p.m.
Gourlay said he feels deflated by this news.
"I received an e-mail from John Brassard that Bell is calling off the meeting tonight," he said. "This is very disappointing because this doesn't help our case any."
He and neighbour Bob Thornton have been petitioning to have the project stopped for health reasons and property value concerns.
"Bob and I have never made any threats to the landlord of that property. That's not our style. We are a pair of old guys and we're not going to stoop to that level," Gourlay said. "It really upsets me that someone would make threats like that."
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2012/09/19/company-postponed-open-house-after-landlord-received-alleged-threats
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