To the editor,

As a candidate for Maricopa City Council and a grandmother of two boys, I care deeply about the safety and health of our children. That is why I want to bring attention to a question many parents are asking but few are answering: What do we really know about cell towers and wireless infrastructure near our schools?

This is not a simple yes-or-no issue. Like many modern technologies, wireless infrastructure offers real benefits alongside legitimate questions about health and safety. As your potential city council representative, I believe our community deserves a thoughtful, informed discussion about this topic — one that doesn’t dismiss either the technology’s value or parents’ concerns.

The benefits and the questions

We cannot ignore the reality that wireless technology has become integral to modern life. Cell networks provide emergency communication, support digital learning, and connect our community in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago.

However, the presence of wireless infrastructure — especially near schools where children spend extended hours — raises legitimate questions about long-term health effects. According to a recent interview on wireless safety, as one expert noted, wireless technology deserves the same scrutiny we once gave to lead: “Why has the public not been informed so they are able to make good decisions?”

What we know and what we don’t

The scientific consensus on electromagnetic field exposure is still evolving. Federal standards exist for safe levels of exposure, but there are legitimate discussions in the scientific community about whether current guidelines fully account for children’s unique vulnerabilities. Research indicates that children’s bodies may absorb radiation more readily than adults’ bodies due to thinner skulls and developing tissues.

We also have real-world reports from communities. When a new cell tower was installed on one block in Pittsfield, Mass., multiple residents reported health issues shortly afterward. While correlation is not causation, these accounts deserve investigation and transparency — not dismissal.

Following the money

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: the telecom industry has significant financial incentives to deploy infrastructure quickly, often with minimal local input. Our city receives modest lease payments for tower installation on public land, but these fees are typically a fraction of what companies make. We must ask: Are we prioritizing short-term city revenue over long-term community health? This is a conversation worth having openly, not behind closed doors.

What parents and community members can do

While we work toward better policy, there are steps families can take to reduce exposure:

• Keep personal devices away from children’s bodies whenever possible and turn Wi-Fi off at night.
• Request that schools offer hardwired internet options in addition to wireless.
• Attend city council meetings and school board meetings to ask questions about tower locations and health protocols.
• Work with advocacy groups like the National Call for Safe Technology to stay informed about pending legislation.

What Maricopa City Council should do

If elected, here is my commitment to you:

1. Transparency. Any cell tower application near schools or residential areas will be reviewed in open session with full public comment periods. No more hidden agreements.
2. Health Impact Assessment. Before approving infrastructure near schools, we will require independent health and safety reviews.
3. Community Voice. Parents and educators will have a real seat at the table when these decisions are made.
4. Accountability. We will mandate regular monitoring of EMF levels in schools and neighborhoods, with results made public.

I have spent 30 years in community service, and 15 years specifically in Maricopa, because I believe we can make decisions that serve both progress and protection. We don’t have to choose between 5G and health. We can demand better: infrastructure that meets our community’s needs while prioritizing the safety of our children.

This election, I’m asking for your vote based on a record of transparency, accountability, and putting community welfare first. On the issue of cell towers near schools, I promise you this: I will listen, I will ask hard questions, and I will never prioritize company profits over your child’s health.

That is what teamwork, transparency, and results looks like.

Chrystal Allen-O’Jon
Candidate for Maricopa City Council