[Editor’s Note: After a roaring neighborhood brushfire recently was ignited by the City Hall announcement of a proposed cell phone tower atop a south Culver City business, Cash ’n Carry, residents hurriedly organized to fight its implementation. Heather Coombs Perez was designated to meet with business owner Dan Israely. Here is her report back to her fellow neighbors.]
Hello All:
The purpose of this e-mail is to provide you with feedback from the conversation I had with Dan Israely, owner of Cash & Carry, before the Christmas holiday.
Dan was very kind, warm and more than willing to have a discussion with me/us.
His position comes down to a sincere belief that these antenna will present NO harm to anyone.
His research suggests that the proposed “antenna” emit a “harmless radio wave.”
“Being within 5 feet of the antenna for over 60 years continuously, would be the equivalent of 1 x-ray.”
He said this endeavor is being pursued as a way to keep his doors open and NOT based on greed.
“As many may remember, he has been in business for over 30 years and at one time had a lion’s share of Culver City business.
“With the emergence of large chain stores coming in, he has been holding on, trying to keep the doors open, in an effort to keep his 6 employees, (3 of which have special health circumstances at home) on payroll.
I shared our feelings and concerns.
I also shared the disbelief that these antennas are really free from harm. He said that his office, where he spends the majority of the work week, sits 5 feet from the proposed antennas, making him the most exposed.
He mentioned the existence of a cell tower across the street that is even closer to the school than he is. He also brought up the notion that there are already nearly 60 cell towers within Culver City.
He wonders why we are making this fight about him, while other towers are being installed on multiple other locations within the city.
I asked if we were to be creative with trying to “support Culver City small businesses” etc., if that would help all of our cause and be a win-win?
He said that “In order to net equivalent profits (that T-Mobile will pay him), he would need to sell about $10,000 in merchandise per month, which is more than a week’s business on average.”
Many of you have/do shop at Cash ‘n Carry, and thought of visiting Dan and expressing your discontent.
“My gut says that this may not be the best way to approach it at this juncture.
He said “If I had any slight, even remote, reason to believe that these antennas would cause harm, that I would NOT do it.”
Based on his long term presence and support for our schools and community, and his sincere, calm demeanor, I have to believe that this is true.
I think we would be wise to prepare and communicate an articulate case showing that there IS potential harm, and the other ways that these antennas will adversely impact our school, neighborhood, etc.
This plea, presented collegially to Dan as well as our city officials and Planning Dept., is probably the best use of our energy in fighting a bigger fight for this site today and for other similar proposals down the road.
Heather Coombs Perez may be contacted Myrealtorheather@sbcglobal.net
