Geneseo Residents! PAY ATTENTION. Read and share this interesting information.

I personally use Verizon wireless. Have for several years. My smartphone is my virtual office in the palm of my hand and I love that. I have great reception and connectivity, especially at home and in my downtown business. Did you know the limestone walls, in the historical building I work in, are more than 12 inches thick? And yet, I've never had a problem with service, even in the back of the building that has zero windows!

And my business will be right across the railroad tracks from the scenic Verizon cell tower that is proposed. Much of what I've heard is that the local businesses need the tower. Was I contacted about the build or need of service for my business? Nope.

So is this about the school district and the kids? No. They don't need the proposed tower either. Many of the local residents will remember that the school district had the foresight quite some time ago to ensure their needs would be met. And this is via their own fiber.

So what is this really about? Lining pockets with money? Generate revenue for the City? One can only assume.

Can Geneseo residents presume their real estate taxes will remain status quo due to the generated cell tower revenue? No, there is already discussion of increasing those taxes. But your property value may go down, if you're close to that tower.

Will the revenue generated by this tower offset the need for a "stormwater" fee to potentially be added to our utility bill in the near future? Probably not since it's already being discussed.

My point is, we the residents of Geneseo, will more than likely NOT gain a positive thing from this Verizon tower. But we will gain...

1. An outlandish eyesore that can be seen for miles.
2. Potential health risks
3. Interference with local Wi-Fi
4. Property value decreased within close proximity of proposed tower.
4. An outdated white elephant cell tower when the next best technology arrives. And that new technology is already in the works.

If you have an opinion, share it with the city alderman and/or alderwomen, City Administrator and the Mayor.

By the way, the Mayor is opposed.