Hooray to Live Oak student body president Andy Cunningham and
the Morgan Hill Unified School District for being sensitive to a
situation faced by some students.
Hooray to Live Oak student body president Andy Cunningham and the Morgan Hill Unified School District for being sensitive to a situation faced by some students.
After the student leader appealed to trustees that the school stigmatizes those who receive free and low-priced lunches by making them stand in a certain line, school officials have vowed to end the practice by fall.
Students at elementary schools and Central High School are more likely to take advantage of the nutritional offer made to low-income families because they use coded cards to buy lunch and can remain anonymous. Morgan Hill school administrators will be looking to see what other districts do and will implement the plan by next year.
Andy Cunningham will graduate in the spring knowing he’s made a positive impact on his school.
Towers still radiating controversy
It seems like such a simple solution: centralize the placement of microwave transmission towers in a place away from humans, especially children.
In Gilroy, however, things never seem as easy as they should.
The controversy over the placement of microwave towers – that is those used by cellular telephone companies and others – in neighborhoods, on school grounds and on the city’s water supply only promises to become more divisive as the number of citizens signing petitions demanding controls grows larger. It’s now at more than 1,000, according to organizers.
Now Dr. Peter Arellano, a member of the Gilroy City Council, has come out in favor of placing city regulations on future construction, ones that don’t conflict with federal laws. He says he has been bombarded with communications from constituents demanding action.
Last week the petition group received more ammo for their arsenal they brought the Los Gatos City Council into the fray. In July the city banned all new towers and transmitters because of health concerns.
A growing list of scientists and health professionals are concerned that exposure can cause cancer and birth defects. Those against new construction would prefer to err on the side of safety.
The group fearful of microwave transmissions isn’t asking for anything so drastic as a complete ban. They simply would like towers located at least 2,500 feet from homes, schools and drinking water. It doesn’t seem like too much to ask – or for the council to consider, no matter who is leading the charge.
There was a time when mainstream America pooh-poohed reports that second-hand smoke posed a danger. Asbestos was seen as a fire-safe addition for our homes. As modern medical science evolves, we should pay heed to its findings and plan progressively for the future. The paltry $20,000 annually the city receives in rent should not even be a factor.
