'Do what’s right ... not for a few but for many'

Dear Misters Gurda, Morgiewicz, Haas, Morgiewicz and Kurnath:

I would like to inform you of my deepest hopes that you will not put a cell tower on the Pine Island Fire House. While I understand the thrill our volunteers must be enjoying by the prospect of the additional funds I also see these wants as not in the best interest of our community.

Living right around the corner from you on Kosuga Lane, I have always been a strong supporter of our fire house. I still am but I am not a supporter of this project and here is why;

Pine Island has enough trouble finding its path in terms of what economy will work best for it. Retail doesn’t survive long here; restaurants and bars have all but closed down. Businesses just don’t want to invest here.

The cell tower will only make it harder to fill our empty lots with businesses that can help support our tax basis.

In another location, we could avoid the negative impact on business prospects in the area and have a chance to become a thriving commercial community.

Potential investors in our hamlet will surely know the sight of the tower will deter customers from their doors.

As a homeowner, I know without a doubt the tower will have a negative impact on my property value.

So many of us are trying so hard to hold on to our houses and it certainly feels like a kick in the kneecaps when we find out all our fighting is about to worth a whole lot less when it could actually go the other way.

A grandiose Fire House does not raise property values but the school system certainly does. If the money was going to the school district to improve programs that have been cut over the years we could once again attract the best of the best in terms of young parents looking for a great school and willing to pay for it. Don’t get me wrong, we have an awesome school but a reinvestment in it benefits the whole municipality not just a small piece of it.

The stronger our community, the stronger our firehouse. That’s a fact.

We have an obligation to do what’s in the best interest for everyone in our community and not just ourselves.

That’s what community is all about. It requires us to put ourselves aside and do what’s right for everybody, just like I did when the not so new anymore firehouse was proposed.

Knowing full well the old firehouse was inadequate I happily faced the greater tax burden simply because it was the right thing to do.

I knew full well there would be nights I would regret it due to the noise of parties and wet downs coming from the firehouse right across the street. Costs I was happy to face because of the importance of the project.

All I am asking is for you to do what’s right also, not for a few but for many. The cell tower is a great opportunity. We should maximize its benefit for everyone.

After all, despite the claim that there are no health effects from cell towers we certainly know there are.

Ask a beekeeper what happens if they carry their cell phone to the hive every day when they check on their bees. The fact is the hive weight drops. You see, that’s why we have elected all of you officials, because we trust you to do the job we’ve asked you to do. Please don’t forget that the most important part of that job is protecting us.

Thank you for your service,
Mark Biavati

Pine Island and proud of it!