BY ROBERT SANCHEZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NORTH COLLEGE HILL -- Jacky and Dave Jones don't have the best view from their home on Joseph Court here. And the scenery won't be getting any better in the near future.
Not only do the Joneses have to put up with the constant roar of cars on Ronald Reagan Highway, but 190 feet of steel and wire will be rising 100 yards from their front door in August.
AT&T Wireless Communication and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced last week that land between eastbound Ronald Reagan Highway and Hamilton Avenue will be the site of a cellular tower.
Residents called it a setback for the community.
"The government is basically telling us that it's going in, no matter what we say," Mrs. Jones said. "There's a real feeling of helplessness."
The unsightliness of the tower -- and worries about television reception and safety -- were the reasons behind the fight.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones contacted their neighbors and set up three meetings, complete with Mayor Dan Brooks and state Rep. Patricia Clancy, R-Colerain Township.
The tower, though, is not the only reason North College Hill is upset -- it's the way ODOT handled the situation.
"Through this entire process, the transportation people have been nothing but arrogant," Mr. Jones said. "They could care less. I think they've forgotten who they work for."
Mr. Brooks has his own problems with ODOT. He said the department failed to fulfill promises when it constructed the highway. Now, he said, it is overstepping its boundaries again.
"There's a list of 16 or 17 things they haven't done for us," the mayor said. "I'm not happy about this at all."
Mr. Brooks attempted to block the tower's construction, citing city zoning laws. But ODOT responded that the state legislature passed a law that allows cellular towers in rights of way.
The tower, ODOT said, was needed to fill AT&T service gaps.
"This just flies in the face of why you have zoning laws," Mr. Brooks said. "Everyone has to live by the law, but the government has proven that if they don't like it, they can ignore you."
Ms. Clancy said the city was given ample time to discuss its problems with ODOT and AT&T.
"I think North College Hill had an opportunity to negotiate," she said. "I guess those negotiations failed.
"It's better to have the city control the land it's near, but it's not possible."
AT&T agreed to locate other cellular companies on the tower, as well as landscape the property, said AT&T site acquisition manager Craig Bloom.
"We've done our best to lessen the impact," he said. "I'm sure we're doing stuff ODOT has never seen before."
ODOT will charge AT&T $1,400 a month to lease the right of way. In 10 years, 1,000 sites across Ohio could generate $20 million in revenue.
"This is an untapped revenue source for us," said ODOT spokesman Brian Cummings. "Because of towers like this, we can improve highways and make our roads better."
Still, residents don't want to be sacrificed for the sake of motorists across the state. Mr. Brooks said he toyed with the idea of seeking an injunction, but court costs would be too hefty.
After all the fighting, ultimately, North College Hill residents said they feel neglected.
"The government is destroying the way we live," said Melchers Harold, a Joseph Court resident who has lived in the area for 41 years. "It's almost like we don't count anymore."
