Manorhaven residents will hold a rally Sunday, demanding that AG Towers and T-Mobile relocate a controversial cell tower in Manhasset Isle. The rally will begin at 12 p.m. at Manorhaven Beach Park, culminating at the cell tower at 41 Pequot Avenue.
Situated adjacent to residential dwellings, the unfinished cell tower structure was issued a stop-work order back in October 2009 by the . But nearly two years later, after a U.S. district judge ordered the village to take action within 10 days.
“We were given an order to either move it a few feet and disrupt the whole neighborhood or just let them put it where it was, which was a Federal mandate,” Manorhaven Mayor Michael Meehan said at an October 2012 village meeting, while also noting that it was a tough decision.
But locals aren't giving up. They say their safety, health, neighborhood and property values are at stake.
Now, they have the support of Sen. Jack Martins, R-Mineola, and North Hempstead Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio, R-Port Washington. These officials have written to both AG Towers and T-Mobile, asking them to reconsider moving the cell tower. One proposed suggestion was relocating the tower to Excecution Rock.
In her letter, DeGiorgio asked that the companies “explore the possibility of relocating the cell tower to a different location which will produce less public opposition.”
Giovanna Giunta, a community leader, expects a big turnout at Sunday's rally, noting, "The residents have numerous issues of concern."
