I would like to comment on the opposition to cell towers in the Cadboro Bay area. There is a minority, but vocal group who is politically active and pushing to keep our neighbourhood firmly rooted in the past, away from access to the internet by refusing any and all attempts to reliably connect our community members through cell towers. This is both a safety issue in terms of emergency situations where connectivity could be life saving, as well as a social and emotional well- being issue in terms of residents connecting with friends, family and services on a daily basis. There are also educational impacts of denying our children reliable internet access in schools and homes.

If these politically driven opinions are being heard, then the alternative, evidence based voices also need to be heard.  Let’s have an open discussion of the issues and options–min cell towers, cell towers, what else is available to keep residents here connected, learning, safe and well?

Jean Fraser