The coalition opposing the radio towers proposed for Point Roberts rallied the troops in Tsawwassen this week at a town hall meeting as the date for the Whatcom County hearing approaches.
With just over a month until the hearing that will decide the fate of the project, the push is on to raise both awareness and money.
The Cross Border Coalition to Stop the Radio Towers, which is made up of residents on both sides of the border, has already raised $75,000, most of which has been spent. It is looking to raise another $80,000, much of it to be spent on expert witnesses.
At the meeting Wednesday night, the group announced its Push to Win $500 Challenge in the hopes of garnering donations. The coalition is challenging 150 businesses, organizations, individuals or families to donate $500 each.
"We just simply cannot allow this to happen," said coalition member Jennifer Urquhart, a Point Roberts resident.
The group is fighting BBC Broadcasting Inc.'s proposal to build five 45-metre (150-foot) steel towers at an undeveloped lot on McKenzie Way, about 330 metres from the Tsawwassen border.
The towers are to transmit South Asian radio station KRPI, AM 1550, but many residents on both sides of the border have been fighting the plan, primarily due to concerns over blanketing interference and the havoc it could cause with household electronic devices.
Also known as Sher-E-Punjab, the company currently broadcasts using antenna in Ferndale, Wash., but wants to move them closer and have a stronger 50,000-watt, all-day signal. Although the current towers and the ones proposed for Point Roberts are located in the United States, Sher-E-Punjab broadcasts to a Lower Mainland audience from studios in Richmond.
The Federal Communications has already granted a construction permit, but one final hurdle remains with a conditional use permit required from Whatcom County.
The coalition is planning to attend the Whatcom County hearing, which is set for five days in late October and November.
Residents cite a number of concerns, including the environmental, economic and social impacts, the process, as well as blanketing interference and the health impacts of radio waves.
The coalition has been fundraising and gathering signatures on a petition all summer. With more than 3,600 names on the petition demanding Canadian government intervention, the group is presenting it to Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay today to take to Ottawa.
The coalition is holding a benefit concert this weekend at the Cottages at Seabright Farms in Point Roberts. The event, which will feature live music, a barbecue and silent auction, takes place Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit notowers.webs.com.
