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\u00a0Ting Wu never wanted the cellphone antenna near his house.<\/p>\n‘They\u2019ve already installed everything \u2013 they\u2019re doing it backward.’<\/p>\n
NEIL CORBETT\u00a0 Dec. 3, 2015 \u00a0Maple Ridge News<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0Ting Wu never wanted the cellphone antenna near his house.<\/p>\n
But then to receive a request for public input, after Telus had already erected the 15-metre poles and installed equipment on them, makes it appear to him that the company doesn\u2019t really care what the public thinks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve already installed everything \u2013 they\u2019re doing it backward,\u201d said Wu.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not right for Canada \u2013 for a democratic society.\u201d<\/p>\n
He is the proprietor of Formosa Farms, which has been worked by three generations of his family at the corder of Golden Ears Way and 203rd Street<\/p>\n
Wu has a 40-acre organic blueberry farm, and said he had been in touch with Telus, offering a place somewhere on his \u201cback 40,\u201d away from residences. He said the location of the two poles at the intersection of Golden Ears Way and 203rd Street is too close to houses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is radiating people right around it \u2013 it\u2019s just too close,\u201d he said. \u201cJust because it hasn\u2019t been proven, doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not doing harm.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can they put up anything without approval or consultation,\u201d he asked. \u201cPeople should have more input into where they put these transmitters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wu said he hopes to have the poles moved before they are active.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey [Telus] say they are listening to the public. Do they do anything about it, though?\u201d<\/p>\n
The neighbour closest to the pole on the south side of the street is Farron Vaughan, who also wants to see it moved. He said it is less than 20 meters from his house.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it should be placed where people are living or growing food,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Vaughan has been doing his own online research into the health effects of being near cell phone towers, and he considers the issue inconclusive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re being used as Guinea pigs,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019d rather not be one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Telus says the new antennas are not operational, and if it has the installation\/consultation process backward, it\u2019s because the federal government changed the process last year.<\/p>\n
Spokesperson Liz Sauve said planning began in 2013 to \u201cenhance capacity in that area,\u201d and near the end of 2014 the poles were installed.<\/p>\n
Since then, Industry Canada has changed the process for installing this infrastructure, requiring more public consultation.<\/p>\n
So, she said the installations will not be turned on until the company holds an open house to get public feedback, and receives approval from Pitt Meadows council.<\/p>\n
Sauve said the poles will be shrouded with trees so they are less visible.<\/p>\n
She said Health Canada\u2019s Code 6 governs radio frequency infrastructure, and the Telus\u00a0 levels are \u201cmany times below what Canada deems as safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the public wants their cellphones and tablets to work without dropping calls, and 9-1-1 access makes coverage a safety issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s critically important to public safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Planner Dana Parr said Pitt Meadows city hall has received notification from Telus, and the issue will be before council at a future meeting.<\/p>\n
City hall has also heard complains from Wu.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, people there are concerned, so we\u2019ll see what council has to say,\u201d said Parr.<\/p>\n
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