Draft rules reduce responsibility for towers

To the editor:

Is the work of the tall towers committee accomplished so soon? Apparently setting aside the work of the original committee, the publicly funded study and District 1 Warren Keogh’s twice introduced code rewrite, three members of the mayor’s latest four-member committee just unanimously approved a draft ordinance to pass on to the assembly.

Considerable public outcry was raised last year as unannounced and unwanted towers appeared across the borough, but concerns voiced at last week’s meeting fell before the committee’s assumption that whatever’s good for the industry will work for the rest of us.

In accordance with what was stated as its charge to write simple regulations that reflect the absolute minimum of government, the committee’s seven-page draft does little more than reduce industry responsibility to giving notice. There appears to be no concern with health impacts. There is no public recourse or redress, and the draft contains no consequences for noncompliance. Why even require notice after land is purchased and materials ordered?

A nearly 200-foot tower just fell in Willow. Luckily, it seems not on anybody or their house. Yet, the tall towers buck is all too soon passed on. Will it be squandered again or this time can it be spent for public good?

Patty Rosnel

Palmer