Letter to the Editor
Cell tower
Published Thursday, September 4, 2008
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!Aug. 29, 2008
To the editor:
Birch Hill Cemetery has been a special cemetery, with a special view. The view of Fairbanks and Tanana Valley has helped generations of family members to grieve for a loved one. The view has been uncluttered and uplifting.
But now, it seems an out-of-state owner has seen fit to rent or lease a spot in the cemetery to a communication tower. I’m sure it helps the profit margin.
Also, I understand the agreement between the city of Fairbanks and the new owner/manager stipulates the property can only be used for cemetery purposes. How about it, City Council, has there been a violation?
I consider myself a property owner in Birch Hill Cemetery and plan on spending eternity there someday.
This tower is an eyesore that this community should not overlook. It needs to be addressed.
How about it, City Council?
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Right, the dead people that are planted there REALLY care about the cell tower. Please! That tower is a balance between supply/demand and location is everything. I have every respect for my fellow man, once they are dead, the remains are just a shell. My boys and I have worked for others cleaning up horribly ignored grave sites in that very cemetary. Please, do not go on and on about the looks of the place. It is neglected by half of the owners. Your complaint time would be better spent getting the owners to form a caretaker group. If you want to use your cell phone, then you had better stop complaining about the towers needed to provide the service. Put your energy to productive use.
I thought the comapny was going to return it to the city?
I thought the company was going to return it to the city?
Great letter, Richard. My family and I also have plots at Birch Hill. I sincerely hope the City Council looks at this matter and, whether or not they allow the Fairbanks Funeral Home out of its contractual obligations, at the very least, the tower should go.
The City should enforce the agreement that the land cannot be used for anything except a cemetery!
What't the big deal? You won't be able to see it once your buried anyway. I think a much bigger issue is that the majority of the grounds on Birch Hill are always in need of maintenance. The tall grass, weeds, and litter are much more unsightly than the cell phone tower.
You'll find little support from the City Council. If you look into it, they practically pleaded with the funeral home to take it over. The city wants no part of Birch Hill, it was a financial drain on their budget to maintain it. By privatizing it, the owner (who isn't from out-of-state, rather, simply from out-of-town) had to form a non-profit, otherwise the costs associated with running the graveyard would have swamped them in mere months. What other choices do you think this owner has to ensure that the graveyard continues to function at all? Why is no one asking why the native corporation who owns the other plots chose to build a road and entrances that were not zoned, permitted, or even on their property?
This is a bigger issue than simply a cell phone tower on the land. This is an issue about ownership rights, infringement, and fighting for a solution to keep Birch Hill a continued option for our lost loved ones.
When the Cemetery is turned over to someone else, A careful audit of the Books should be done, Usually when a Cemetery is neglected, Money is disappearing without reasonable explanation.
A city-owned cemetery is not supposed to be a money-making operation. It should be funded as a community service - like a city park. We should hold our city government responsible for maintenance and upkeep in both city cemeteries.
The only thing I care about is too many in the wrong place. I like the cell tower up there. You can't hardly see it. Nobody is potentially harmed by the possible radio wave pollution that is rumored to be harmful. Its a good spot and the dead don't give a hoot. What about the tower going in behind the bowling alley. Now that concerns me. I don't like the potential harm to my kids while they attend school.
Guess i'll be the bad guy here,i think a cemetary is a waste of money in the first place.Your buying a small plot big enough for a over priced box to put a decomposing body in,remebering a loved one that has passed on shouldn't take wasteing land,pictures and remebering the times you spent with the loved one should carry on the memories not a cross or a gravestone.
All i have to say is WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
A work session on the Birch Hill Cemetery will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday just before the start of the council meeting to discuss property issues with Birch Hill.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.