James Pelsor of Manchester, ME Living in Manchester, not so far off Rte 202 and not far from the Winthrop town line, I'd like to reiterate Terri's point - what dead spot?
The KJ apparently has forgotten that individuals elect their government and that the existing ordinances were voted into place by individuals. Residents in a town should have some ability to control what happens in that town. And not simply bow to deep pocket threats.
The entity suing the town is a tower development company, not a cell phone service provider. The tower development company has one motive - how to maximize profit at the least cost.
The town's communications consultant determined that equivalent cell phone coverage for Manchester could be provided while still complying with the town's ordinances.
The KJ's editors are way off base on this one. The select board of Manchester is at least trying to allow its residents to address this issue and not simply vacate ordinances in the name of expediancy,report abuse

Zacchaeus of Winthrop, ME "Our" hilltops and open space? I am sure that the people that have been paying taxes on all the hilltops and open spaces will be surprised they don't own it. When towers become archaic or insufficient your tear them down,upgrade them or replace them. Same as one who already has a home on a hillside or open space would do. Maybe I should subdivide my open space before it is zoned into my property in name and taxes only.
By the way, have the town meeting. The KJ is wrong as usual.report abuse

Suzanne Melcher of Manchester, ME Thank you Terri - I'm a bit offended at the not so subtle implications of what Manchester's selectpeople represent: paying off the "gummint? We don't need to jump on the bandwagon and clutter up our hilltops and open spaces all in the name of "progress." What happens when the cellphone towers become archaic or otherwise insufficient?
I agree with Bob - maybe we can decide for ourselves what we want.report abuse

Terri Watson of Manchester, ME Aside from the demeaning example of what town meetings are for, I take exception to the basic premise of your editorial. If the selectmen were convinced that the consent agreement is appropriate, your assertion that we should have provided more leadership and just gone ahead and signed it, just might have merit. If you had conferred with your reporter, Betty Adams, before making this assumption, you would know that, for example, as Chairman, I am absolutely and without question opposed to this consent agreement. It is only in the recognition that defending against lawsuits made by companies with deep pockets is costly that I agreed to take this issue before the town. I am convinced that Manchester will prevail in court. And oh, by the way, I have never had a problem with my cell phone reception in Manchester.report abuse