Editor,

I would like to go on record as being fully supportive of the AT&T cell tower on the public property owned by the Port of South Whidbey.

The public benefits cannot be understated.  I live near the Clinton cell tower location, and know very well the South Whidbey areas that are totally without cell phone reception. Emergencies are part of our daily lives. More and more people do not use ‘land phones’ in their homes, and many live in areas where cell service isn’t always strong.  When out driving or walking, there are many areas where there is zero cell coverage, a bleak thought in an emergency, especially considering there are not very many houses in many of the south end rural areas.

I experienced a large field fire on a Clinton property I owned several years ago.  The person who accidentally caused that fire had no cell coverage, and could not report it.  Luckily, a neighbor finally saw the smoke and flames, and used his land line to call the fire department.  What would have happened had that neighbor not been home, or only had a cell phone?  That fire would have spread, and since it occurred in a very dry July, that fire would have been a major July disaster.  As it was, it burned nearly 2 acres.

Leanne Finlay

Clinton