UPSON PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS CELL TOWER

THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A 400 FOOT CELL TOWER FROM SOUTHERN LINC AT THE JUNE 11TH MEETING—A TOWER IN SALEM TO BE USED FOR COMMUNCATION BY THE GA. DOT, THE GSP, GA POWER AND OTHER EMERGENCY AGENCIES—AND LEASING SPACE TO CELL COMPANIES. SOUTHERN LINC IS A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SOUTHERN COMPANY-- OWNER OF GA. POWER.

PLANNING DIRECTOR DOUG CURRIER AND STAFF RECOMMENDED THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION ON 80 ACRES NOW USED AS A DEER CAMP AT ALLEN AND FLORETTE ROADS—BUT SALEM COMMUNITY RESIDENTS PACKED THE MEETING ROOM MONDAY—OPPOSED TO THE TOWER.

IN VOTING FOR THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION—COMMISSION MEMBER SAM BAITY—TOLD SOUTHERN LINC'S CONSULTANT—THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THE PROPOSED TOWER—BUT OPPONENTS DID NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON HOW IT WOULD HARM THE COMMUNITY—AND A VIABLE NETWORK OF COMMUNICATION IS NEEDED—IN THAT TORNADO-PRONE AREA IN SOUTHERN UPSON COUNTY.