[ETSList] New Jersey Antenna Bill: Your Help Needed!

[Drew_Moore]

NEW JERSEY ARRL MEMBERS

We need your help to get action on our New Jersey antenna bill - A 3065
which was introduced last year by Assemblyman Matt Ahearn, KB2PNN, an ARRL
member and NJ Assemblyman from Fair Lawn.  Matt has informed us that we need
to quickly send letters to Assemblymen Jerry Green chairman of the Housing
and Local Government Committee and Speaker Albio Sires to get them to have a
hearing on the bill and release it for a vote.   Please get other hams who
may not be ARRL members to write also.  Talk up action at local ham clubs
and on local repeaters.  We have a very narrow window here.  Please act now!

You can find a copy of the bill at
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2002/Bills/A3500/3065_I1.HTM

Please send two letters to the following two assemblymen.  You may also want
to send a copy to your own      assemblyman.  You can find addresses at:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/abcroster.asp

Please write to:

Assemblyman Jerry Green, The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly and Housing and
Local Government Committee Chairman
District Office: 17 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060   telephone
(908)-561-5757

Assemblyman Albio Sires,  Speaker of the General Assembly
District Office: 303 58th Street, West New York, NJ 07093     telephone
201-854-0900

Below is a copy of a sample letter.  Please customize it and add your own
information where necessary.  We hope that all of you will do this so that
the letters do not appear to be form letters which are less effective.

This information also appears on the Hudson Division web page at
http://www.hudson.arrl.org

Thanks for your help in this important matter.


Bernie Fuller, N3EFN  Atlantic Division Director
Frank Fallon, N2FF, Hudson Division Director



(Date)
(Legislator's name)                             (Address)
(District)

RE: A3065

Dear Assemblyman,

      As one of the thousands of New Jersey Amateur Radio Operators I ask
for your support on A-3065. The proposed Bill will clarify municipal power
to zone certain amateur radio antenna support structures. It codifies the
Federal Communication Commission's PRB-1, which cites the need to reasonably
accommodate Amateur Radio communications by federally licensed Amateur Radio
Operators. The proposed Bill further states that "no governing body shall
adopt zoning ordinances or regulations to prohibit construction, maintenance
or use of an antenna and its support structure."  Please work to have the
Local Government Committee have a hearing on the bill as soon and possible
and release it for a vote.

      New Jersey Amateur Radio operators have contributed much to the State
in times of need by volunteering their time and personal resources. The New
Jersey Legislature, on December 12, 2002, recognized this sacrifice by
presenting a Proclamation to all New Jersey Amateur Radio operators thanking
them for supporting the World Trade Center Disaster.

      With the required emphasis on emergency preparedness and Homeland
Security New Jersey Amateur Radio Operators must have the proper tools to
support their town, the state and the nation. An effective antenna and its
support structure are a necessary tool to provide effective communication in
times of need.

      Having a hearing on the bill and releasing it for passage will insure
that all of New Jersey's Amateur Radio Operators have the ability to support
their community and the nation in an effective manner.

         Very truly yours,
                     (Your name)