Monday, May 7, 2018

Shadyside Parents Oppose Len Forkas' Milestone Communications Cell Tower on Their Child's School






Len Forkas is head of Milestone Communications and also founder of Hopecam charity. Here are videos go him publicly speaking about his work.
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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Montgomery County Schools MEMO: Digital Safety and School and Home For Teachers/Staff and Students


 

 
Information and updates from the office of the Chief Technology Officer
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018
 


Digital Safety at School and at Home 

 
The MCCPTA Safe Technology Subcommittee would like to share the following recommendations for using technology at school and at home.

For Students at School:
  • Consider placing Chromebooks/laptops on desks and tables rather than in laps;
  • Don’t forget to shut down and log off of Chromebooks/laptops when moving from classroom to classroom;
  • Consider turning off cell phones and keeping them in backpacks or lockers off when not in use;
  • If necessary, take eye breaks, 1-to 2 minutes in length, approximately every 15 minutes;
  • Attend to task! Avoid distractions such as reading email, playing games, or browsing the Internet;
  • Engage in face-to-face socialization, especially at free time, lunch, and recess;
  • Always use the Internet and devices for educational purposes in accordance with MCPS’s responsible use policies;
  • Use resources that do not infringe on another’s copyright or trademark rights.
For Students at Home:
  • “Disconnect” at least one hour before bedtime.  This includes all forms of media and requires online-based homework to be done well in advance of bedtime;
  • Keep electronic devices out of bedrooms for a sounder sleep.
 
For Teachers:
  • Encourage students, when appropriate, to customize their device screens using tools such as ScreenShader designed to reduce potential eye strain and fatigue
  • Consider providing students with options for good behavior that include physical activity and social interaction rather than “device time”;
  • When requested, provide paper alternatives for take-home class work.
 
Additional Resources:
Congratulations MCPS! 
See resources this memo links to here as well. (
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Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Formal complaint against Two Anne Arundel County School Board Members

From: Parent 
Date: Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 7:19 AM
Subject: Formal complaint against two Anne Arundel County School Board Members
To: charlene.necessary@maryland.gov, oag@oag.state.md.us, adavis@oag.state.md.us, mtrestman@oag.state.md.us, efitzsimmons@oag.state.md.us, kwinfree@oag.state.md.us, csnowden@oag.state.md.us, jbhoward@oag.state.md.us


Dear Office Of the Attorney General of the Maryland State Department of Education,

I'm filing a formal complaint against two Anne Arundel County School Board Members for bullying and harassment. 

Patricia Nalley
Terry Gilleland

As public servants and school representatives their pattern of behavior over the past several months has been shocking.  For example, Patricia Nalley at a previous board meeting referred to me, my family, and members of my community as "those people". and continued to aggressively state that we probably deserved to have the police called on us when we quietly and politely tried to attend our school's PTO meeting. 

Yesterday's behavior was especially egregious. My 10 year old son gave a public testimony at the school board meeting on Dec. 6, 2017. Afterward I watched Terry and Patricia lean toward each other and snicker and roll their eyes to each other while looking at my son. He was aware of their actions and it made him feel very uncomfortable. I was watching in horror and shock and couldn't believe they could be so blatantly rude toward my son and the public. Not to mention the fact that they would be whispering to each other and not listening to the next person's public testimony.  Their actions were clearly meant to intimidate me, my family, and my 10 year old son. 

Because I can read lips, I know that what they were whispering back and forth to each other was about my son and mocking the fact that he is a "homeschooler" .  Not only were they totally disrespectful by intentionally whispering and snickering during somebody else's testimony, they were harassing my son based on his age and the fact that he is homeschooled and probably because the topic of his testimony was not to their liking.  This kind of discriminatory, bullying behavior is unacceptable. My son, who bravely came to express his concerns in a kind and respectful manner, was met with disrespectful and hurtful behavior. He has been taught to respectful listen to others thoughts and ideas by giving them eye contact and never to whisper and laugh in front of anyone because it is extremely rude and hurtful. He was as surprised as I was that school board members would behave in this way. He was expecting to be listening to and he also thought that the board might be able to help him and take his concerns seriously. The fact that he is homeschooled in Anne Arundel county had nothing to do with his testimony. Nor should he have to feel bad about that. 

I'm expecting a formal apology to myself and my son from the board.

Thanks,

Parent of Child

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Support Bill PG 417-18: Transparency in Cell Towers At Prince George's County Schools

Your Voice is Important! 
The Right To Know About A Cell Tower At My Childs School Bill is moving forward. 

Support Delegate Alonzo Washington's new Prince George's County Bill PG 417-18  
If a cell tower company wants to put a cell tower on a Prince George's County School this Bill stipulates they must hold a public hearing at the school first.  This Bill ensures transparency in cell tower placement on our schools. 


TAKE ACTION
All voices need to be heard on this bill so we can ensure transparency. 

1. Provide a letter of support for the legislation that we can provide to the Education Subcommittee hearing on Friday, January 19th.
The letter should be address to Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Chair of the Education Subcommittee,
The full name of the bill is PG 513-18 – Telecommunications Transmission Facility on Public School Grounds- Public Hearing Notification. Email a copy of your letter of support to by Wednesday, January 17th  so the office can  provide it to the Subcommittee.Send the letter to Alonzo.Washington@house.state.md.us Care of Marty McGowan
2. Email and call the offices of the members of the Education Subcommittee and urge them to vote to support this legislation. Let them know the community wants this Bill! 

The members of this Subcommittee are: Calling AND emailing would be best. 
·         Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith (Chair) – geraldine.valentino@house.state.md.us
·         Delegate Daryl Barnes (Vice Chair) – Darryl.Barnes@house.state.md.us
·         Delegate Tawanna Gaines – tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us
·         Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk – joseline.pena.melnyk@house.state.md.us
·         Delegate Carlo Sanchez – carlo.sanchez@house.state.md.us
·         Delegate Carolyn JB Howard – carolyn.howard@house.state.md.us


Group Emails of the Education Subcommittee (so you can paste it into your browser) 
geraldine.valentino@house.state.md.us Darryl.Barnes@house.state.md.us,  tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us, joseline.pena.melnyk@house.state.md.us, carlo.sanchez@house.state.md.us, carolyn.howard@house.state.md.us,

Please share this information with anyone else who you think would be interested in supporting this legislation.
Now is the time to show your support!
What this Bill is: Ensuring transparency when a cell tower is proposed on a Prince George's County School . This Bill ensures that the community and parents are given a voice and are made aware of the fact tha a cell tower is going to be placed on a child's school. 

What this Bill is NOT:  An opinion on cell towers on schools. 

PG 417-18  ensures the community is informed because if the meeting is at the school where the cell tower is proposed then parents will understand it is about the children's school. In the past cell towers were proposed but the "community meetings" were not held at the school where the tower was placed. Some meetings were not even held in the same town where the cell tower was proposed. 

Telecommunications Transmission Faculity on Public School Grounds - Public Hearing Notification
SponsorDelegate Washington
SynopsisFor the purpose of requiring a telecommunications company proposing to install a telecommunications transmission facility on public school grounds owned by the Prince George's County Board of Education to hold a certain public hearing before the school system's CEO executes a certain notice to proceed.
Related
Bill Text Read bill text in rich-text or PDF format


Please send an email of support NOW. Our elected officials need to hear from YOU. 

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Monday, December 4, 2017

PGCPS New Policy on Cell Towers at Schools Calls For A Public Hearing

 PGCPS new policy on cell towers at schools calls for a public meeting!!! 

However this new policy does NOT require the public meeting to be at the school. Other counties, like Montgomery County have the cell tower meetings at the school so parents understand this is about their school and attend.   

That is why Delegate Alonzo Washington's Bill for More Transparency in regards to Cell Towers is so critically important. Learn about PG Delegation Bill PG 417-18 on Cell Tower here. 


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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

New Legislation Calling for More Transparency in School Cell Towers in Prince George's County

Delegate Alonzo Washington is supporting a Bill on School Cell Towers this session.

This Bill would would ensure that if a cell tower company wants to put a cell tower on a Prince George's County School they must hold a public hearing at the school before the cell tower is cleared to be built.

This bill ensures YOU are informed when a cell tower is proposed on your local school.

Please come to the Prince Georges County Delegation PUBLIC HEARING and support Delegate Alonzo Washington's Bill PG 417-18.

Prince Georges County Delegation PUBLIC HEARING
  • DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 
  • LOCATION: Prince George's Community College - Largo Student Center, (301 Largo Rd, Largo, MD 20774), Rennie Forum 
  • TIME: 6:00 - 8:30pm The hearing will cover both local and bi-county bills. Click here for information on testifying and submitting written testimony.
NOTE: PGCPS new policy calls for a public meeting but does NOT require it to be at the school. Other counties, like Montgomery County have the meetings at the school so parents understand this is about their school and attend.   That is why this Bill is critically important. 


Prince George’s County – Telecommunications Transmission Facility on Public School Grounds – Public Hearing and Notification . PG 417–18

This Bill will ensure that if a cell tower is proposed , the community and the parents at the school will be notified and that a public hearing will be held AT the SCHOOL, not far away in another town as has been done in the past.

A TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY PROPOSING TO INSTALL A TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRANSMISSION FACILITY ON PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS OWNED BY THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL, BEFORE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM EXECUTES A NOTICE TO PROCEED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRANSMISSION FACILITY, HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS WHERE THE INSTALLATION IS PROPOSED

(C) AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION IS SCHEDULED, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY SHALL:

  • PROVIDE NOTICE OF THE HEARING DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE TO MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE WITHIN A 1–MILE RADIUS OF THE PROPOSED INSTALLATION SITE;
  • PUBLISH NOTICE OF THE HEARING DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY ONCE A WEEK FOR AT LEAST 4 SUCCESSIVE WEEKS; AND
  • MAIL NOTICE OF THE HEARING DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION TO THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF EACH CHILD THAT ATTENDS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS WHERE THE INSTALLATION IS PROPOSED. 


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Stop The Cell Towers Coming To Our Neighborhoods. Action Needed NOW in Prince George's County

Dear Prince George's County friends, 

There are two important things you need to know

1. The Bad News: Prince Georges County has a draft zoning amendment that will ALLOW Cell Towers and CELL Antennas on schools and  in front of homes in neighborhoods WITHOUT public process. It will allow cell towers and even shorter cell towers "by right". Read more here. 

2. The Good News: Delegate Alonzo Washington is supporting a fantastic Bill on School Cell Towers this session. This Bill will ensure that if a cell tower is proposed , the community and the parents at the school will be notified and that a public hearing will be held AT the SCHOOL, not far away in another town as they did  with Eleanor  Roosevelt HS and other PGCPS Schools. Read the Draft Bill here. 

Thank you Delegate Alonzo Washington! 


HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

FIRST: Write an email to both to the PG planning so they hear your voice AND to the Greenbelt City Council so they  make comments on the issues of cell towers in our front yards and in front of schools. 
Please do this today. Details are below. 

SECOND: Show up at these meetings and Speak on the issue! 

1. The Prince Georges County Delegation Public Hearing: Come and give personal testimony! 
Tuesday, December 5, 2017 
LOCATION: Prince George's Community College - Largo Student Center, (301 Largo Rd, Largo, MD 20774)
TIME: 6:00 - 8:30pm

Please come and speak on this Bill on Cell tower transparency issues.  Tell our esteemed elected officials about the transparency issues that are plaguing the school cell tower process at Eleanor High School. They need to hear your story!  This is critical! 

2. Greenbelt City Council Work Session - It would be GREAT if you showed up. 
Monday, December 4, 2017 
LOCATION: Greenbelt Municipal Building
TIME: 8:00 PM 

The new proposed PG zoning goes against transparency and we must halt it by commenting on it! The county needs to hear from us about cell towers in front of homes and schools. We must let them know that communities want to be a part of the process. 

EMAIL Details 
(This email will go to the Greenbelt Council AS WELL as the County zoning staff so your comments go on record. Please add MORE of your personal thoughts and experience if you have the time but be sure you make the two points.  I'm merging two things to make it easier. ) 

Dear Greenbelt City Council, and Prince George's County Officials, 

Subject: Comments on PG Zoning Rewrite Draft and Support of PG 417-18 Bill on Transparency With PGCPS School Cell Towers

I am writing because I  do not want wireless cell tower facilities of any type in front of schools or near my home or residential areas without a transparent  process that includes public notification and public input. We, the people, need to be a part of the decision making process. 

1. I DO fully support the newly proposed BILL on Cell towers at PGCPS Schools:  Prince George’s County – Telecommunications Transmission Facility on Public School Grounds – Public Hearing and Notification . PG 417–18 I support this legislation because it will ensure that we are notified of a proposed cell tower, that parents are informed and that we will have a public hearing in our community! 

2. I do NOT support the new Prince George's County Zoning Draft: Currently the Prince George's County zoning draft allows wireless cell towers "by right" in residential areas and we do not want this. It is unacceptable to eliminate public hearings and public notice if you are going to put a cell tower up! The zoning rewrite draft must be redone to include public notice and a public hearing if wireless towers or wireless antennas are proposed in a residential area or near a school. 

Please support the new Bill from the Prince Georges County Delegation that will allow transparency and public input into a proposed cell tower and stop the Zoning rewrite draft until it is fixed so that the community has a say! 

Send the email to the Greenbelt Council, School Board  and zoning. 

alonzo.washington@house.state.md.us, paul.pinsky@senate.state.md.us, tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us, anne.healey@house.state.md.us, constituent.concerns@pgcps.org, ejordan@greenbeltmd.gov, jdavis@greenbeltmd.gov, colinabyrd@greenbeltmd.gov, lmach@greenbeltmd.gov, spope@greenbeltmd.gov, rroberts@greenbeltmd.gov, eputens@greenbeltmd.gov, ZoningPGC@ppd.mncppc.org, theodorams@gmail.com, aortiz@co.pg.md.us, ceo@pgcps.org; lupi.grady@pgcps.org; countyexecutive@co.pg.md.us; District4@co.pg.md.us; segun.eubanks@pgcps.org; carolyn.baston@pgcps.org; david.murray@pgcps.org; dinora.hernandez@pgcps.org; patricia.eubanks@pgcps.org; raahellah.ahmed@pgcps.org; ; edward3.burroughs@pgcps.org;, sonya3.williams@pgcps.org, kalexander.wallace@pgcps.org, curtis.valentine@pgcps.org, mary.roche@pgcps.org, amanya.paige@pgcps.org 

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Prince George’s County Zoning Rewrite Will Allow Cell Towers in Neighborhoods With NO Community Notice or Input

The Comprehensive Review Draft of the Prince George’s County Zoning Rewrite may be found here:

http://zoningpgc.pgplanning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Comprehensive%20Draft%20Zoning%20-%20Public%20-%20CLEAN.pdf

Definitions p. 27-2-81
Standards Specific to Principal Uses:  pp. 27-5-35 - 27-5-37

When I look at the Use Tables which identify zones where cell phone towers are permitted by right, allowed by special exception, prohibited or allowable by approval of District Council, I see that Wireless telecommunications tower, monopole are Permitted by Right in every residential and commercial zones except for planned development zones where it is allowable subject to approval by the District Council.

From what I am reading while there is a set back,  there is NO WAY for a community to stop one in their community because as long a it meets the criteria here- it is permitted.  Plus if an engineer certifies that it will fall in half (read the code below on definitions) then the set back can be decreased. (This needs to be fixed because even if  it does fall in half, things can fall off atower so the fall zone should in fact be far wider than the height of the tower) So a monopole can be placed in communities, near homes, likely within 40 feet without a public hearing or notice.

With this zoning all the company needs to do is apply and meet the requirements to put a tower near our homes. The community will get no notification and no public hearing. 

The deadline for providing comments on the zoning rewrite is December 15, 2017. 
PLEASE WRITE THEM 

Email comments to:  ZoningPGC@ppd.mncppc.org or use the Civic Comment tool at:  https://pgplanning.civicomment.org/subtitle-27-zoning-ordinance-comprehensive-review-draft


Please take a look at the excerpt below. Find it by searching "wireless" at http://zoningpgc.pgplanning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Comprehensive%20Draft%20Zoning%20-%20Public%20-%20CLEAN.pdf


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Sunday, November 26, 2017

Email FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel: She Wants To Hear About Your Internet Problems


Take Action Now: Write Commissioner Rosenworcel, at broadbandfail@fcc.gov, stating that the American people choose health and privacy over wireless speed and data harvesting.

This is a message from Whatis5G.info
Why?
FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel has invited the American people to email her about broadband coverage problems around the country. She states she will share the concerns of the American public with the other commissioners. Lets hold her to it. 

The Commissioner even set up an email account specifically dedicated to hearing from the public about broadband “fails.”

Watch the following 3 minute video clip starting at 54:56



Commissioner Rosenworcel states,
“I set up this account [broadbandfail.fcc.gov] to take in the public stories and ideas. And I will share everything that comes in with the Chairman and with my colleagues, because I think it’s time to turn every one of those ‘broadband fails’ into something better – ‘broadband success.’”
Although the Commissioner’s invitation was intended to be used to map out and address coverage gaps, it would well serve those of us fighting 5g-small cells as a means to give the Commission honest feedback from the public of what we actually DO want – safe, reliable, fast, cyber secure, and energy efficient fiber to all homes and businesses.  We do NOT want to compromise our health and privacy with the forced installation of small cell towers next to our homes.  Profit and “mobile speed” do not trump our health and privacy.

Please take a moment to send a short email to Commissioner Rosenworcel, at broadbandfail@fcc.gov, stating that the American people choose health and privacy over wireless speed and data harvesting.
The Message

We want safe, reliable, fast, cyber-secure, and energy efficient fiber to all homes and businesses.
We do not want small cells in front of our homes emitting harmful radiation 24/7, and that will invade our privacy by providing the “necessary” infrastructure to harvest our data.
Again, send your email to:  broadbandfail@fcc.gov.
To add extra weight to your message, please cc the following people from the FDA, CDC, and NCI (National Cancer Institute)
Daniel.Kassiday@fda.hhs.gov
Michael.OHara@fda.hhs.gov
William.Jung@fda.hhs.gov
Robert.Ochs@fda.hhs.gov  
linetm@mail.nih.gov
maryanne.bright@nih.gov


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