Rogers proposes cell tower in Raymond

Given the recent apprehension to the proposed Rogers cell tower in Magrath, it seems only fitting that the company propose one in Raymond as well.

Counsellors around the table discussed their feelings of nervousness surrounding the newly proposed tower in Raymond, which has been set to be placed at 147 North Broadway Street.

“It sounds like it’s an issue in Magrath and it sounds like it could become an issue here if they build that cell tower where it’s proposed to go,” said Mayor George Bohne of Rogers recent 40-metre tower proposal in council Tuesday evening.

An open house has been scheduled to discuss concerns and questions both with the directly affected residents, as well as representatives from Rogers themselves May 27. The public forum will be held at the Raymond Senior’s Centre on Tuesday, June 27 beginning at 5 and going until 7 p.m.

Any home or business owner within a 500-metre radius of the proposed tower is considered an affected resident and should have received written notice of Rogers’ intention to build a tower.

“We will put it on the marquee and the town website and encourage people to attend this Rogers open house,” said Mayor Bohne of next Tuesday’s public meeting.

“The tower was requested based entirely on subscriber demand,” said Coun. Barry Wolsey. “The centre part of town is what they’re after.”

The notice of the proposed tower in Raymond comes just after residents in Magrath received a similar notice and are facing a similar problem.

“A week ago this was news to a lot of us. We didn’t know anything, so we have been bombarded with a lot of information over the past week,” said Magrath Coun. Craig Godlonton in council last Tuesday, May 13. “I would think a block north or south would be fine. I certainly understand where everybody is coming from and we will find out more information as time goes on.”

Financial reimbursement will be given to those at the Magrath Co-op if the tower is successful in being established there. Despite the fact that only one Magrath business would be receiving the financial incentive, it does fit in nicely with the town’s goal of bringing in new businesses.

“When the windmills were proposed to come in there was a tremendous amount of people who said it wrecked the view of the Rocky Mountains, back then I had to agree, but at the same time I didn’t know if it would bother myself. But they fit in and we basically assimilated, however a cell tower, maybe not,” said Godlonton.

The Municipal Planning Commission will host its own public forum, in Magrath, on Wednesday, May 28 at town hall, beginning at 7 p.m. Where residents can contest the placement of the tower, if they so choose.

“The key thing is with the MPC we have what’s called tribunal justice. So We have to have both sides speaking to the issue, that’s on the 28th, when the official public hearing for the town is,” said Magrath town administrator Carolyn Law. “Once that process is through and the MPC approves it you have two weeks to appeal it, if they deny it Rogers has two weeks to appeal it.

For more information on this issue please contact your respective town either at 403-758-3212, for Magrath, or 403-752-3322, for Raymond.

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