2009-09-04 TCOHfire - Laserfiche WebLink

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So I would like to ask the Commission to take a look at the property across the street. I think if you flip-flop this project plan and put it across the street I don’t think any resident would even attend this meeting. But being that they’re right up against the backyard fence of several residences over there and within 500 feet of other residents, I think you’re always going to have a complaint going. So I would like to ask this Commission to consider the property across the street for possible consideration for the fire complex. Thank you. WOODWARD: Okay. Any questions for Mr. Okuda? Okay, seeing none, we’ll go on to our next testifier, Ms. Markus. All right, if you’ll give us your name and address, and then you may begin. MARKUS: Thank you very much. My name is Gerdine Markus and I own a home on 923 Kukuau Street. I would like to thank you for holding this meeting and giving me an opportunity to voice my opinion about the proposed fire support complex, including a microwave tower. My testimony is in regards to this proposed microwave tower 90 to 125 feet high. And I’d like to thank Tiffanie Okuda for all the work she has done to make the neighborhood aware of this proposed project. I did not receive a letter from the Fire Department because I live above Mohouli. I’m not abutting the complex, but I live I think about one quarter of an acre north of the project. After studying the research she has done and doing some of my own, I am not convinced that this microwave tower is harmless. As a former citizen of Europe, it does not surprise me that research to look into the possible health issues related to living in proximity (1/4 mile) of a cell phone tower or microwave tower has already been conducted in two densely populated countries: Israel and Germany. More people, less land, certain issues come up earlier than in the United States, where there is a lot of land compared to the population. Fortunately just recently President Obama has created a cancer panel to research the possible links with both nuclear and electro-magnetic radiation. He is concerned about our health and our health care system, and wants to gather evidence to see if cell phone towers are affecting our health and are indeed contributing to our increasing health care costs. I do not think we should wait for the outcome of this panel. How can the electro-magnetic radiation emitted by these particular telecommunication towers be harmful to us? Apparently the cells in our body communicate with each other using electromagnetic signals, which is very, very interesting. I did not have the time to look into this aspect more, but it makes sense that a strong electro-magnetic field emitted from a cell phone tower can be picked up by our body if we happen to live close enough. I really, really feel for those who are looking at having this tower in their backyard (literally their backyard). The only option they have is to move away. And who is going to buy their house or protect themselves from the harmful radiation? Sweden, a very progressive country, recognizes this problem; and for those who are sensitive to electro-magnetic radiation and have developed health problems because of it, the government will pay for measures to reduce exposure in their homes and their work places. 13 EXHIBIT A