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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Plans set for 30th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil ... How'd you get into theater? 'The stage doors were open' ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... Plans set for 30th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil ... How'd you get into theater? 'The stage doors were open' ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... LOCAL TAKE How do you feel about new cell towers? Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 7:49 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 7:49 PM » RELATED CONTENT What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter  » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter   • Ashlanders respond to controversy raised by Indiana law • Should the Plaza get yet another makeover? • Have you filed your tax return yet? • Local Take: Should U.S. Senators have written directly to Iranian leaders?... • LOCAL TAKE: Do we need daylight saving time? • Is a Welcome Center a good idea? • Should the city regulate outdoor pot growing? » Social News Although just about everyone has a cell phone in pocket or purse, the erection of new cell towers to improve service are hot-button issues in the town of Ashland, where many consider them unsightly or dangerous to health.  A 125-foot AT&T tower just went up on Mistletoe Road , angering some neighbors, even though they were notified in 2013 of pending approval and no one protested. It has to have an airplane warning light on top of it and, to some, that messed up the view.  AT&T plans a shorter 84-foot tower on East Ashland Lane , by the north Ashland exit and, because of ruffled feathers, a hearing will be held on that May 4.   Ashland, noted for sketchy coverage in many parts of town, has cell towers on the Ashland Springs Hotel and Holiday Inn Express. AT&T tried to put up towers on Ashland Street Cinema in 2010, but an outcry from neighbors, especially those affiliated with adjacent Hidden Springs Resort, led to the city council reversing itself and voting 4-1 against it.  The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 bars use of health or environment reasons — based on alleged radiation fears — for denial of towers, so opponents attacked it on legal grounds. In that brouhaha, the American Cancer Society was cited, saying there is no evidence that cell towers cause cancer or any other ailment — and that users get much more radiation from their cell phones than from any tower. Like vaccinations and chemtrails, cell phone towers are a perpetual whirlpool of rage and reason on both sides. There’s a lot of love for cell phones, but not a lot of love for the towers that make them possible. What to do?  We asked Ashlanders, all of whom were carrying cell phones, “How do you feel about installation of cell phone towers near Ashland? One was recently installed at the end of Siskiyou Boulevard and another is proposed near the north Ashland interchange." Chuck Burr — The south end of town is known for its poor reception. I have no problem with the cell tower there. Better reception is a must for this city. We cater to tourists and they need good connectivity. As for any radiation, they are already x-raying me constantly with radio and TV, so one more time with a cell phone isn’t going to make any difference. Meredith McFadden — I’m very mixed about the towers. They’re extremely important, but we need a lot more research on the effects of it on our physical bodies. Even the way the hills go up and down can affect the cell phone energy on us, or not.  Taylor McNulty — The towers are not wonderful, even if they give us better reception. It’s very convenient, of course, to have good cell phone service, but what are the costs? What do we know about the effects of cell phone towers? I do believe they have some effect on me. It’s scary. We don’t know a lot about what goes on because we can’t see it and — out of sight, out of mind. Lorrie Coey — I never thought much about it. I have the local U.S. Cellular and the reception is bad enough in Lithia Park that I can’t order a pizza. It’s not a problem either way, tower or not. I would like to see no more towers, though. We have enough. I’m not suggesting we tear them down. I have this Q-Link around my neck. It’s like a tuning fork for my aura. It’s gotten programmed so it’s just mine and is tuned to my electronic field and nullifies all the electro-magnetic radiation I’m exposed to.  John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Contact him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 7:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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