A Loyal Reader of the Chronicle

BOB,

Barry had told me of your impending move, and for all the right reasons. Your "farewell" notice today is well done. I'm sure many of your local friends and neighbors will be sorry to see you go. Best to you and Carol.

I have been a loyal reader of the Chronicle, even though I passed through Copake only once (at night). I grew up in a small Western Massachusetts town, much like Copake, and I really got a charge over reading the articles, and letters to the editor. Small towns are unique, but they have many similar issues and problems.

Hopefully someone as dedicated and capable as you will pick up the job before you go. I think your exposure, travel and knowledge of the outside world brought an insight to this newsweekly which will be hard to replace.

Tom Purple

Still Not Sure That Erecting Cell Towers Are Such A Great Idea

I'm still not sure that erecting cell towers are such a great idea for our town. I've been reading conflicting articles about the potential for serious health risks (i.e) leukemia
among people who live within a short distance from cell towers (or any other RF-emitting structures).
Most studies are inconclusive, especially since this is a relatively new presence in our ever-changing environment.

Is anyone here concerned enough to even take even a moment to consider any possible down-sides of wanting better cell-phone coverage?

Meanwhile, new construction developments meet all sorts of environmental and other potentially impacting standards in our town, as they should.

I know better cell coverage is a benefit to our emergency services.
I also know that other towns and regions have installed different systems of repeaters for the emergency bands to have full, dedicated coverage in the areas they serve.
I also know there's some sort of mandates some time in the future for communications coverage that towns need to comply to.

I also realize that if I was stuck in a ditch, I would not be happy if I didn't have a signal.
I also know that where there's going to be one tower, there will sooner or later, be another...and another.
This first one will not provide complete coverage.

And, once we crap-up one zone, it'll be easier to justify another.
If there's no avoiding this, so be it...but, I know other towns which have resisted and not only for reasons of visual impact.

Maybe the risks, in the long run, will outweigh the benefits.
Maybe not.
I don't know.

-Steve Rosenzweig
King of the Luddites