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Debate Over Cell Tower Location Sparks Feud Between Brothers

FORT ALLEN (KDKA) -- It may seem like a disagreement between two brothers, but those who are against a brand new cell tower in Fort Allen say it goes way beyond that.

On one side of the issue is John Henry.

John loves the view from the front of his Fort Allen home.

Verizon, however, has plans that may change his view.

They're asking Hempfield Township for permission to put a 193-foot high tower in.

Though it falls short of the two-mile separation between towers, Verizon wants a variance, sighting potential "hardship" on the company that means dropped calls and problems with customer service.

John says Verizon, a billion dollar company, will hardly see any hardship.

Over the last few weeks, tower protest signs started popping up.

Concerns over cell signal health effects on children are the main worry. Children live in the neighborhood, there's a daycare close by and two district schools within a few hundred yards.

Dennis Henry owns the land the cell tower is set to go. Dennis is John's brother. Needless to say, they don't get alone.

John thinks Dennis is putting up the tower is to spite him.

But it's more about money. Verizon will pay Dennis several hundred dollars a month for the tower's location right.

KDKA tried to reach out to Dennis and Verizon repeatedly, but were unable to contact either.

And while he's not looking for a civil war with his brother, John says if he and other neighbors have to go to court over the whole thing, he will.

Hempfield Township's zoning board has yet to rule on Verizon's variance request.

RELATED LINKS:
More Westmoreland County News
More Reports by Ross Guidotti

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