Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2014 18:26:12 -0400
From: virginia penley
Subject: Karen Howard will represent all of Chatham County
Karen Howard is a public servant in the best sense of the word. She is raising her own 5 children, and works for all the children of Chatham County and their parents, serving as chair on the Chatham County School Board. She will represent District 1 and all of Chatham County’s citizens with intelligence and concern for the best interests of all of her constituents.
Her personal home is no better or worse than most Commissioners’ homes, past and current.
In any case, I fail to understand why Karen Howard’s address trumps any and all facets of her life. Her hard work and her record as chair of the school board speaks well of her concern for all Chatham County children, as will her service as County Commissioner.
The context of her remark at that hearing may shed some light on this. The realtors’ association representative had just commented that the cell tower would increase the cell reception and value of surrounding homes on Fearrington Mill Road, which is ridiculous. Karen was responding to the excessive height of the tower which was, in fact, detrimental and unnecessary, and would not attract any buyers to the neighborhood by improving the neighborhood cell reception, as the nearby homes’ cell reception would not be improved by the increased height. The company building the tower was just trying to cut costs with an extra high tower in that location to avoid building additional towers elsewhere. This detracted from the entire neighborhood, which includes low income homes as well.
Publishing this woman’s phone number and inviting people to make harassing calls to her is a new low, even for Tom West.
It seems to me that the home values in the Fearrington Mill Road area covers a pretty wide range. So trying to make sure the cell tower is not too tall would benefit folks of more than one income level. I am thankful we have someone who takes the time to serve people by holding public office, attending public meetings and being brave enough to make a statement. I think criticizing people because of their perceived financial status is an indication that you cannot stick to the facts involving an issue.