By Liz McBreen
The obvious problem is that of aesthetics. Members of the Civic Club agree that the antennas are not always easily visible. On the other hand, if residents know where to look, they will find the lightening rod-like structures perched along the top of several buildings on Hempstead Turnpike. Recording Secretary Rosemary Haig explained that in several instances there are two towers in a one or two-block radius.
Civic Club leaders believe that the reason for the explosion of towers in Elmont is the town's lack of supportive representation on this issue. The Town of Hempstead continues to approve installation of the towers, and there is no Elmont representative to stop or even slow the process.
More important than the appearance issue is the health threat some say is created by the radio-frequency waves emitted from the towers. "We need a qualified expert working for Elmont to review the material that phone companies present to the Town of Hempstead," said Haig.
It was decided at the meeting that the club would send a letter to Town Attorney Joseph Ra as a group asking him to create this position in order to protect the health of Elmont residents. A person working in this capacity would also be responsible for ensuring that the town does not become an unrestricted area open to phone companies placing the highest bid.
President Dottie Werner also welcomed the Elmont school board and library candidates to the meeting. The candidates had met earlier in the evening at a budget hearing, and came to the civic meeting to introduce or re-introduce themselves and explain what they envision for the school and library in the future. The candidates took questions from the audience, most of which had to do with the annual budget, which increased about $4 million dollars from last year's budget.
Current school board president Deanna Doreson, Dale Black-Pennington, who opposes Doreson for the presidential seat, and incumbent candidate Aubrey Phillips, encouraged residents to pass the budget.
"We have always done things cost effectively, and we continue to do so with this budget," said Doreson.
