Ouray County Colorado Residents to Send Petition to Verizon Wireless CEO Daniel Mead

Ouray County residents in Colorado are gathering names on a petition against a 92 ft. Verizon Wireless tower that is planned on Log Hill Mesa directly located in a residential subdivision. Ouray County residents feel a disconnect with County officials about this project so the issue will be brought to the attention of Verizon Wireless and their CEO, Daniel Mead.

At the same time, Ouray County residents would like to invite CEO, Daniel Mead out to Ridgway, Colorado to view the site. Recognizing that tower applications all look the same on paper, it's believed that if an executive from Verizon Wireless were to actually visit the site, they too may have concerns regarding the visual impact on this small mountain community.

For several years now, the Verizon Wireless tower has been a top issue among residents. The planned Verizon Wireless tower will affect the majority of Ouray County residents. Residents in Ridgway will be able to view the Verizon Wireless tower whenever they look out their windows or step outside. Ouray residents will view the tower as they drive along Hwy. 550 towards Ridgway. Many property owners on Log Hill Mesa will have their views obstructed by this tower, and several will have this tower practically sitting in their backyard. Tourists and local businesses that the community depends upon, will also be impacted by this tower.

Most residents live in Ouray County for its beauty. Waking up each morning to the sun shining over the Cimarrons or San Juan mountains and taking in the majestic beauty is a daily gift. Looking towards the north, Log Hill Mesa sits approximately 1,000 feet above Ridgway and residents have tried to keep the beauty of the Mesa from being visually impacted. A tower of this magnitude sitting atop Log Hill Mesa facing the town of Ridgway will negatively impact these views.

Over the years, meetings have been held among County officials and Ouray County residents. It is commonly felt among the residents that the County Commissioners, as advised by the County Attorney, are not doing what's best for the County in this matter and violating visual impact codes.

Ouray County residents have expressed concern that County officials did not thoroughly reasearch and consider other sites available in the area, such as the former antennae site on Old Relay Road. There's also legal questions concerning whether or not the application by Verizon Wireless for this tower went through the appropriate channels for approval.

Concerns have been voiced that once a tower of this magnitude is installed, other telecomunnication's companies may also apply to have a tower installed. The Commissioners are setting a precedent and what's to stop them from approving more towers on a very visual site. The visual impact to Ouray County residents, especially those living in Ridgway will be tremendous.

The Verizon Wireless project has been dubbed "the monstrosity" by local residents because its height and width is more than double that of some of the existing towers. Once this tower goes up, the views will not be the same.

You can do something to help stop this monstrosity and keep Ouray County's views as beautiful as they are today. In a community effort to stop this project and get attention from the Verizon Wireless executives in New York, you can sign a petition that is currently circulating among residents. All who oppose this tower project may sign the peitition.

The petition will be sent directly to the CEO at Verizon Wireless, Daniel Mead along with an invitation to visit Ridgway, Colorado. It is hoped that Mr. Mead will accept this invitation.

If interested in signing the petition, please contact Dennis at 626-3453, or Charles at 209-3452.