[PaQSO] EPA Antenna Hearing (Part 2)

[TwelveVDC--- via PaQSO]

Tredyffrin Township itself, along with certain neighbors has separately hired lawyers to oppose Jeff’s application at the forth coming zoning board hearing. Jeff’s antenna structure meets all legal requirements, but the nearby residents and the township apparently feel that ham radio antennas should not be allowed, despite both Federal and State laws to the contrary. During a public meeting, one Tredyffrin supervisor called it a "monstrosity" before any discussions even took place.

On April 2, 2014 in a very unusual procedural move, the neighboring township, Schuylkill Township voted during a Board of Supervisors meeting to intervene and oppose the antenna and directed their solicitor, at Schuylkill Township taxpayers' expense, to fight against the issuance of a permit before the zoning hearing board of Tredyffrin Township. This may be a David and Goliath epic fight.

I write you because our preliminary discussion with neighbors and those groups opposing antennas revealed they generally seem uninterested in what amateur radio operators do. I personally was surprised to hear defamatory comments about ham radio from otherwise knowledgeable people who after seeing ARRL brochures passed out at meetings and hearing our discussion on amateur radio said it was "irrelevant," "obsolete" or "sounds commercial to me." People specifically denied that amateur radio has any place in emergency communications these days. Cellphones and internet were perfectly "adequate" anymore in emergencies. I was told by the head of a local land conservancy group opposing Jeff’s application.

If you are a Tredyffrin Township amateur radio operator, on April 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM, theTredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors is likely to discuss this matter in an open forum during the Board's regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

We suspect there will be members of the public attending this meeting to complain about the application, and possibly to disparage amateur radio in general. You should attend this meeting to at least observe and listen to what is being said. As a Township resident, you are entitled be heard at this Supervisors' meeting. If I am fortunate, I may have an opportunity to explain to the board what amateur radio is about, and to pass out brochures prepared by the ARRL explaining who we are and what radio amateurs have done for over a hundred years. The first Zoning Hearing Board hearing is scheduled for April 30 as detailed below, and you are urged to attend that hearing as well.

If you are a Schuylkill Township amateur radio operator, you should immediately call your township representative and demand an explanation as to why, without having a hearing in which township resident radio amateurs were invited, they voted to oppose Jeff’s application in Tredyffrin Township. Ask why they are spending your tax money opposing your interests in another township. Visit the Schuylkill Township website where you can find the video of a half hour discussion during the April 2meeting about ham radio. You will not be pleased.

(End Part 2 of 4)