AT&T, Verizon get litigious over towers

The biggest wireless companies in the world are taking small towns and businesses to court on a seemingly increasing basis. It has all the makings of “David vs. Goliath” archetypes, but in this day and age does David have powerful enough lawyers to take on Goliath?

Verizon Wireless filed a lawsuit over the height of a cell tower in the Buffalo, N.Y., suburb of Amherst. The carrier wants to force the town to allow a 114-foot cell tower in a residential neighborhood on church grounds. City ordinances only allow towers to be 65 feet tall, but the city council approved up to 75 feet. Verizon Wireless argues that height still isn’t tall enough to rise above interference and provide the coverage they want. This battle has been going on for over a year now, and looks set to come to a head next week when the issue is heard before the state supreme court. Verizon Wireless also has its sights on the steeple of a church in Scarborough, Maine.

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Last week, RCR Wireless News reported the story of AT&T taking on a church in the town of Eugene, Ore. The incident has dragged on for more than a month, with reports indicating AT&T hasn’t provided convincing evidence of the necessity for the 75-foot tall tower. Although AT&T has offered to disguise the tower as an evergreen tree, residents are still concerned, flying a red balloon 75 feet in the air to give people an idea of the space it will take up. The matter will hopefully be resolved May 27 when city officials are set to rule on the plan. Rest assured if things don’t go AT&T’s way this could trigger a legal battle.

Tower company files suit

Not just carriers are getting in on filing lawsuits against small towns and churches over tower placement. Zanesville, Ind., is being sued by Skyway Towers for using city ordinances to keep a new tower out. What seems questionable about Skyway’s case is that it wants the space where the tower will be built declared “agricultural ground.” The ground is currently situated between batting cages and a children’s play area.

“We’ve told them no twice already. I feel like it’s a big corporation trying to muscle a little town into doing what they want,” Town Council President John Schuhmacher told The Journal Gazette.

The company has asked a federal judge to review the situation and not only order the town to grant the application, but to also state that they are in violation of the Federal Communications Act.

One man recently fought a tower being built close to his property in Charleston, W.V., taking the fight all the way to the state supreme court, but ultimately the court ruled in favor of Beacon Towers.

Help dearly departed climbers

Tower climbers don’t enter the profession to become rich and famous. They do it for the love of the game, so to speak. When they are taken from the world too soon, it can sometimes be difficult to cover all of the expenses that come with dying. The tower climber community lost two members recently who need your help.

The first is Jason Sebastian. Nicknamed “Slim,” Sebastian was an inspiration to fellow climbers, with tower climber Justin Brown remarking, “He is who made me the tower hand I am today! It would mean the world to his mother if our brothers could help donate so this fallen brother can have the funeral he deserves.” To help donate to his family, no matter how small of an amount, click here.

The next climber is Mick Buckley. According to his page, the man was “An amazing climber … a brother and friend” and “has left our life too soon we need to help his family with the cost …” Click here to help out the family of this climber.