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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, June 7, 2012 · 10 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Upper Oakville cell tower moves ahead again Jason Laszlo, a Bell Canada media relations representative, said the location meets Bell's coverage requirements, but otherwise would not comment on the project. In April, Popek listed aesthetics as the reason for the project's cancellation, stating the addition of the Bell antennas to the site `deviated from the original design intention.' The visible antennas along the side of the clock tower also drew attention and opposition from some residents who weren't aware the structure was actually a cell tower. With the initial cancellation of the co-location project, the antennas were removed. The new infrastructure is less obvious, but is still drawing attention. "I feel this would have been Bell's opportunity to do the right thing and place these antennas at least 200 metres away from homes and schools," said area resident Corina Van Sluytman. "This tower does not belong on the same property where two-year-olds attend preschool and where sick people go to their doctor. It just doesn't make sense." Van Sluytman said she has con- A project that will see Bell Canada infrastructure added on the 25-metre Rogers Communications cell/clock tower at the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre appears to be moving forward after all. Area residents recently voiced concerns about work resuming on the Upper Middle Road/Eighth Line tower just weeks after the co-location project was called off. When asked about the resurrection of the project, Rogers Senior Communications Manager LeighAnn Popek offered few details, but indicated the co-location was taking place to save Bell from having to construct its own tower. "Residents and municipalities have told us that they prefer co-located wireless structures wherever possible," wrote Popek in an e-mail. "We strive to maintain a design standard that works within the surrounding area. In order to address the preference for co-located structures over the construction of new support structures, Rogers will work with Bell to find a suitable solution." OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO Eighth Line. MOVING AHEAD: The clock tower/cell tower on Upper Middle Road at cerns about the possible health impact of having a cell tower so close to residential areas. The closest homes are directly opposite the cell tower on the other side of Upper Middle Road. The tower is also in the same plaza as a preschool, medical clinic, chiropractor and is within a few hundred metres of Sheridan Public School. Van Sluytman is calling for changes to the Health Canada guidelines pertaining to cell towers (specifically Safety Code 6). She said the guidelines should restrict cell towers to be at least 200 metres from homes and schools. She also called for a reduction in the intensity of cell tower radiofrequency emissions and the establishment of a third-party agency to monitor these emissions levels. Halton Region's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Bob Nosal, has said there is no convincing evidence weak radiofrequency signals from cell towers cause adverse health effects. Nosal, however, did acknowledge the agreement between Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer that additional research is warranted. The Oakville Community Foundation invites you to attend its Annual General Meeting Wednesday, June 20, 2011 5:30 pm ­ 7:30 pm Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road Guest Speaker - Tina Triano, CEO, Oakville Hospital Foundation Members of the public are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting Please RSVP to judy@theocf.org by Monday June 11, 2012 At the Oakville Community Foundation, we can help YOU make an impact on the lives of people in and around our community for today, tomorrow and generations to come. What is a Community Foundation? www.theocf.org