World-News

By ANDREW WOLF

March 10, 2006

There is a disease spreading from Europe, a dangerous pandemic that will cause death and cause palpitations in our economic growth. I'm not talking about the Avian Flu, but a rare strain of "Mast Hysteria," as our friends in Britain call the opposition to construction of cell phone antennae.

In Albany, bill is wending its way through the Capitol. This bill, with a raft of co-sponsors from both parties, would, if passed into law, effectively shut down the installation of new cell phone antennae in our urban areas. For the most part, the crippling effects will come down on us right here, in the nation's center of communications. In the Assembly, the lead sponsor is Queens Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, a Democrat. More ominously, Republican Frank Padavan, a legislator who usually has his head screwed on straight, is leading the charge in the State Senate.

http://www.nysun.com/article/28955

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Cancer Clusters in Vicinity to Cell-Phone Transmitter Stations
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/580224/

Here is a short report from today's edition of THE IRISH TIMES.

Best,

Imelda, Cork


THE IRISH TIMES, FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2006

"PARENTS PROTEST OVER RATHMINES PHONE MASTS

[by] Fiona Gartland

Parents and children from two schools in Rathmines, Dublin, yesterday protested outside the Office of Public Works against a mobile phone mast built close to their schools. The OPW gave Hutchinson Ireland and Vodaphone licences to install six mobile phone antennae on the Central Statistics Office at Ardee House in Rathmines, close to St. Mary's and St Louis schools in 2004. They were activated in 2005. Last October, following concern raised by locals, parents and workers in the office, the Minister with responsibility for the OPW, Tom Parlon, wrote to the operators and asked them to deactivate the masts. However, they declined to do so. Speaking outside the OPW offices in St Stephen's Green yesterday, Miriam Hennessy, a parent, said the parents believe the Minister could be doing more to resolve the issue and are angered by his refusal to meet them. A spokesman for the OPW said that they requested the operators to turn off the masts in advance of a report on non-ionising radiation to be presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health in June, but could not force them to do so. "We would be in breach of contract and would be liable to be sued if we forced them to deactivate the masts," he said.

"The masts operate within current health and safety guidelines and planning regulations, and if future laws lower the emissions allowed, these will have to be taken on board by operators."

Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

"Meanwhile, a group protesting about a 12 antennae mast on the Shankill Garda station in south Dublin have secured a commitment from Mr Parlon that no further work would take place until a further meeting later this month."

09.03.2006 18:09

ERLINSBACH SO

Der Streit um die geplante Antenne im Kirchturm in Erlinsbach SO dauert an (Foto: mz/to)

Der Mietvertrag sei eine Konzession. Mit diesem neuen Argument focht die römisch-katholische Kirchgemeinde Erlinsbach SO vor Zivilgericht in Olten gegen die im Kirchturm geplante Mobilfunkantenne. Das Gericht wird erst später entscheiden, wie es in der Mietfrage weitergehen soll.

Sie fühle sich am Ende ihres Lateins, musste Amtsgerichtspräsidentin Eva Berset eingestehen. Verhandelt wurde dort auf der Zivilabteilung am Richteramt Olten-Gösgen über die Kündigung des für eine Mobilfunkantenne im Kirchturm von der Kirchgemeinde mit Orange abgeschlossenen Mietvertrags.

Dieser war im Sommer 2003 vom Kirchgemeinderat unterzeichnet worden. Nach Bekannt werden der Pläne für die Antenne schlugen die Wogen hoch. Aus der Bevölkerung wurde starker Widerstand laut. An der Kirchgemeindeversammlung am 1. Juni 2005 wurde der Kirchgemeinderat schliesslich beauftragt, den Mietvertrag aufzulösen, was er per Ende 2005 auch tat.

Dagegen wehrte sich Orange zuerst vor der Mietschlichtungsbehörde und nun auch bei der Aussöhnungsverhandlung vor Zivilgericht.

«Faktisch 21 Jahre unkündbar»

Der Rechtsvertreter der Kirchgemeinde betonte dabei, dass diese als Klägerin nicht antrete gegen die Feststellung der Schlichtungsbehörde, wonach keine «wichtigen Gründe» für eine Vertragskündigung vorlägen. Er verlagerte die Argumentation vielmehr auf eine neue Schiene und setzte bei der langen Wirksamkeit des Mietvertrages an.

Dieser räumt Orange ein festes Nutzungsrecht für den Kirchturm bis Ende 2013 ein und gibt der Mobilfunkbetreiberin das Recht, dieses anschliessend zweimal um weitere fünf Jahre bis Ende 2023 zu verlängern.

Aus Sicht des Vermieters liege «also faktisch eine unkündbare Mietdauer von 21 Jahren vor», unterstrich der Anwalt der Kirchgemeinde. Dies komme «der Einräumung eines beschränkten dinglichen Rechts nahe», womit der Kirchgemeinderat «erkennbar nicht zuständig» gewesen sei für dieses Geschäft, argumentierte der Rechtsvertreter.

«Sondernutzung» sei Konzession

Dieser betonte weiter, dass der Kirchturm mit dem Einbau einer Mobilfunkantenne eine «Sondernutzung» erfahre. Die Verleihung «des Rechts zur Sondernutzung an einer öffentlichen Sache» an Private sei wiederum eine Konzession. Für die Behandlung von Rechtsfragen in diesem Falle sei das Zivilgericht gar nicht zuständig.

Damit sorgte der Anwalt der Kirchgemeinde nicht nur bei der Adressatin, sondern auch beim Vertreter von Orange für Verblüffung. Wie Martin Eggen betonte, sei dies eine «ganz neue Idee», zu welcher er sich im Moment nicht näher äussern wolle, welche aber klar bestritten werde.

Doppelnutzung als Stolperstein?

Auf die Frage der Gerichtspräsidentin, ob es keine Alternativstandorte gebe, wies der Rechtsvertreter der Kirche auf das zweite Mobilfunkantennenprojekt in Erlinsbach SO hin, dem sich Orange anschliessen könne. Das sei aus strahlungstechnischen Gründen nicht möglich, sagte Eggen, da Orange schon zusammen mit Swisscom im Kirchturm Mühe habe, die Grenzwerte einzuhalten. In dieser (für ihn neuen) Doppelnutzung sieht der Kirchenanwalt eine Vertragsverletzung, auf die er sich im weiteren Verfahren «stürzen» werde. (mz/atp/mlu)

http://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/pages/index.cfm?dom=2&rub=100004739&nrub=0&sda=1&Artikel_ID=101190785

Residents in West Felton have welcomed news that a stop notice has been issued by the local authority to prevent the mobile phone company Orange carrying out further work on a mast.

However people living near the controversial mast, in fields close to homes at The Avenue, remain “guarded” about the future of the site.

Oswestry Borough Council believes the mast has not been put up in accordance with the permitted development rights allowed for certain structures.

It has issued the stop notice, informing Orange that it will have to dismantle the mast or submit a new application for permitted development rights.

A public meeting was held yesterday in the village near Oswestry for residents to hear from senior planning officer Edwina Smart and borough councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden.

Chairman of the parish council Pat Mabe said today: “People are pleased but we are concerned about what happens at the end of the temporary stop notice.”

The full version of this article appears in the Oswestry edition of tonight’s Shropshire Star

© 2003-06 Shropshire Newspapers Ltd

http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_article.php?aID=43196

by Kevin Rogers

DENABY parents and schools have been told Doncaster Council is powerless to stop a mobile telephone mast being built next to a popular play area in the village. Doncaster Council planning committee has approved an application by Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd for the siting of a 15m high telecommunication tower at Denaby and Cadeby Miners' Welfare, despite objections from villagers. Dozens of people who signed a petition fearing potential harm to schoolchildren from the mast were told their protests had been in vain at a meeting of the committee at Doncaster's Mansion House on Tuesday. Campaigners were told that planners' hands were tied as Government regulations meant masts under 15 metres did not require prior approval. The mast will be built on the site of an existing floodlight. Denaby resident Keith Drewett, who has collected more than 130 signatures opposing the mast, and Denaby councillor John Mills spoke out against the plans. Mr Drewett said: "I am very disappointed with the decision. I am concerned about the effect this mast could have on the health of local children and residents." He said there was evidence that prolonged exposure to phone mast transmissions within short distances could be dangerous. "We feel there was not enough time to respond to the application – two notices were put up, one on a lamppost and one in a local shop window. Dozens of people have said if they had have known about this they would have signed the petition. "Tickhill Square is a main thoroughfare for four schools, a day nursery, a youth centre and a medical centre. Only one school was notified of this application and the letter was sent as the school broke up for the Christmas holiday and required a response within 14 days," he said. He produced letters addressed to the committee from Balby Street, St Alban's and Fullerton House Schools whose pupils used the play area. Mr Drewett also quoted a resident who lived 100 yards from the mast who suffered from a condition which meant using a mobile phone caused her pain. She was 'extremely alarmed and afraid' of how the transmitter would affect her. Coun Mills said there was a 'genuine fear' in Denaby about the mast and residents felt they had not been given a fair chance to consider the proposal in depth. He asked if Hutchinson could have shared an existing transmitter already in use on Banbury Bridge which was well away from centres of population. A Hutchinson 3G spokesman said the company had looked at other sites which had been either too low or would not have had permission to use them. The mast was more than 100m from the nearest residential property and the mast would be five metres lower than the existing floodlight. The company had demonstrated an installation was required to provide 3G coverage to Denaby Main in line with its licence to provide 80 per cent coverage by 2007.

09 March 2006

All rights reserved © 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

http://www.dearnetoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=768&ArticleID=1379159

Article from Herts24

09 March 2006

EDITORIAL - editorial@thecomet.net

Peter Craig with the plans for the mast

A CHURCH could be the first in Comet country to have a phone mast installed on its roof if planning permission is granted.

Holy Trinity Church in Stevenage has applied for a phone mast to be installed but nearby residents are concerned the church is willing to put people's health at risk for financial benefit.

The church could receive £5,000 a year for having the mast located in a plastic belfry at the opposite end of the roof to the original one.

Peter Craig has collected 63 names on a petition against the application.

Mr Craig, who lives close to the church, said: "Is it right that the church should benefit financially while putting the health of the local community at risk?

"The mast is a great concern as government research shows that doubts remain regarding the health effects of exposure to radiation from masts."

The Rev Geoff Tickner said after careful consideration it was decided that putting up a phone mast was an appropriate use of the church.

He said the money would "enable the church to continue to serve the community".

A private company, QS4, was selected by the Church of England to deal with applications for phone masts on church buildings in 2002.

Mr Tickner said he has only received four replies to a public consultation, two for and two against.

He told The Comet: "Our best advice is that they [phone masts] are safe otherwise the Archbishops Council would not allow phone masts on church buildings."

Omega this is not true. See under:
http://omega.twoday.net/topics/Wissenschaft+zu+Mobilfunk/
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Cancer+Cluster
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html

He is not worried about living so close to the mast but admitted that there are technical details surrounding mobile phone masts which he does not understand.

John Horsley, church project manager at QS4, said: "Network planners have identified a shortfall in coverage in Old Town Stevenage and being a conservation area it is a challenge to provide coverage without any visual impact."

He said the mast would give out signal strengths which are much weaker than those of television and radio transmitters.

* To comment on the planning application (06/00075/FP) visit Stevenage Borough Council's website http://www.stevenage.gov.uk

http://www.thecomet.net/content/comet/news/story.aspx?brand=CMTOnline&category=News&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=newscomnew&itemid=WEED09%20Mar%202006%2011%3A58%3A11%3A447

Mar 9 2006

Weekly News

AN ORGANISATION which has voiced support for anti-mobile phone mast campaigners across Widnes and Runcorn claims the industry has avoided questions on legislation which is set to go through parliament.

Planning Sanity, a partner organ-isation to Mast Sanity, claims the Mobile Phone Industry Trade Association and the Mast Operators Association (MOA) has refused to enter into a public debate on what is being hailed as the most significant telecom legislation ever to go before Parliament.

The MOA, which it claims had earlier indicated its willingness to discuss the bill's detail, has declined an invitation to take part in a public debate involving affected residents and MPs.

Mast Sanity alleges that the director of MOA, Mike Dolan, made the excuse that a public debate 'would not be helpful'.

Chris Maile, Planning Sanity director said: 'Just what is the mast industry afraid of? Are they so concerned that their industry's infrastructure concessions that the Government has granted to them, enabling them to walk over the rights of those affected by their installations often without the ability to challenge, that they cannot stand up and debate with the mast movement the bill's provisions?

'This refusal can only be seen as cowardice.'

Planning Sanity is challenging Mr Dolan to meet its representatives head on in a public forum for a debate about a planning regime which is said to give telecom developers more rights than any other commercial developer.

Planning Sanity and Halton campaigners hope that if the bill proves successful it will strip the mast industry of most of its planning 'privileges'.

It would force the industry to go through the same planning process as everyone else.

Residents claim the Government feels obliged to give companies the right to site masts wherever they please because they the government made billions of pounds from the sale of 3G licences to the industry.

© owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Plc 2006

http://tinyurl.com/re9mw

SUBURBAN Stratford doesn’t clash with the law very often, but this week saw residents of the leafy suburbs come out in force to fight off contractors installing a telephone mast in the town cemetery.

Campaigners who fought to stop a mobile phone mast being erected in the Evesham Road cemetery held a 12-hour protest on Monday as work began to install it.

Picnic chairs and flasks of tea were the order of the day. This was middle England fighting for the peace and tranquillity of its dead. Those who lay in the cemetery should not be disturbed, and those who live near it fear the possible health effects of having the third generation mobile phone mast so close. Those were the messages of some 100 residents who turned up to register their opposition.

Protesters faced police officers at the cemetery gates as vans brought equipment in. Eight officers, two patrol cars and a police van arrived shortly before midday. One was heard to say: “I’ve made it to 74 without being arrested, and I don’t particularly want to get arrested now.”

For the full story, see the Herald.

© Copyright Stratford Herald 2006

http://www.stratford-herald.co.uk/mainstory.php?ID=628

08 March 2006

CAMPAIGNERS against mobile phone masts have presented a 750-signature petition to Parliament.

Alan Eaton, the brains behind the action group Orange Squash, gave the petition to MPs David Curry and David Evennett last Friday.

The petition was signed by hundreds of worried parents in a bid to stop mobile phone chiefs erecting a mast near Bedonwell Primary School in Bedonwell Road, Belvedere.

Residents are calling on the Government to back the Telecommunications Masts (Planning Control) Bill, a private members Bill submitted by Mr Curry.

If his bill eventually becomes law, it will prevent masts from being placed in close proximity to schools and hospitals.

Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

http://tinyurl.com/fgkba