Petition created in protest of Verizon tower
By Junious Smith III
As conversations for a potential Verizon tower in Kinston continue, hundreds have signed a petition asking for it not to come to downtown.
On July 15, representatives from the phone giant spoke to Kinston City Council about a 180-foot tower, which would be planted in the rear portion of 104 W. Peyton Avenue in downtown Kinston. A second presentation is slated for Sept. 16 with Verizon providing additional details.
Several downtown business owners have voiced their concern about the tower, including Brandon Potter, founder of Brandon Potter Photography. Potter created an online petition Friday afternoon, and as of Sunday evening, more than 240 people have signed it.
Potter said he plans to speak about the tower at Monday's City Council meeting and the disadvantages of it.
"A few of us voiced our opinion about the tower at the city council meeting (July 15) and how it may not be a good idea to put the tower in the middle of downtown," Potter said. "It may provide residents better cell phone service, but there are other places it could go without it being such an eyesore and possibly affect both property values and the beautification project going on here.
"I created the petition because it felt like a good way for others to weigh in. I wasn't sure how many other people felt the same way."
The petition can be found at change.org..
