From: "Fred Thomas" <xxxx@yyy.zzz>

Date: Wed, 2/23/2011 8:24:14 PM

To: "planning"

Subject: Antenna Towers

To whom it may concern,

I would like to express my support for the Taorminas and their towers. Amateur radio has been supporting emergency efforts for several decades and has proven itself invaluable time after time. Before I moved into the VC Highlands, I lived in Texas and participated in relief efforts involving Amateur Radio following Hurricane Katrina and I can vouch for the fact that telephone (particularly cellular) is the first thing that shuts down. New Orleans was crippled following the Hurricane and without the efforts of numerous amateur radio operators, there would have been no communications for many days if not weeks.

Radio effectiveness is critical for the emergency role that the Taorminas fill. In my opinion, those who oppose amateur radio (Antennas ET AL) are extremely short-sighted and their complaints about the tower's presence are just ridiculous when the benefit is considered.

Please record my support for the towers.

--

Regards,

Fred E. Thomas

2571 Cartwright Rd.

VC Highlands, NV 89521

E-Mail: xxxx@yyy.zzz

HAM Radio Callsign: WA5FT