As a new resident to Grand Forks, I continue to be baffled by the populations’ confusion around water meters and radio frequencies (RFs). Moreover, I am discouraged by the lack of respect for public officials who, I believe, are making decisions based on good faith and good science.
For the record, it is next to impossible to find a credible organization that has concerns about RFs associated specifically with water meters.
Please keep in mind, and this is important, that the water meters being installed in Grand Forks only transmit RFs for a total of 43 seconds each day (the signal is not continuous). In the time it took me to write this letter, on a wireless device with WiFi, I was exposed to 20 years of water meter equivalent RFs.
To be absolutely clear, if you are concerned with the health impacts of RFs from water meters, your aim is misguided.
Now, if you were born to worry, not unlike my grandmother, I can provide a few issues where you can direct that energy.
Climate Change: according to NASA, “97 per cent of climate scientists” agree that humans are warming the planet. Fires, floods, droughts, environmental refugees and food security, are all cause for serious concern.
Diabetes: according to the Canadian Diabetes Association, one in four Canadians is diabetic or pre-diabetic (will develop diabetes within 10 years). This is a problem.
The future of Grand Forks: over the last couple of months I’ve spoken with a number of young families, all of whom are planning to leave town (or have already left). When asked why, they were fairly consistent in citing they felt “a lack of community.” In reading the weekly, often mean-spirited, letters in the Gazette, I could not disagree.
For the record, not one family mentioned water meters or radio frequencies as a reason for leaving Grand Forks.
Perhaps it is time we move forward and collectively focus our energies on creating a vibrant and welcoming community.
– Spencer Tracy, Grand Forks