National Association of Counties * Washington, DC / Vol. 30, No. 8 * April 27, 1998

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County News Photo Contest
I applaud you and your staff in your efforts and results of the "1998 County News Fairs and Festivals Photo Contest."

As a county commissioner and long-time member of the Holland Color Camera Club, I took great interest in the whole project.

Keep up the good work and share my appreciation with the Editorial Staff.

With kindest regards,
William A. Sikkel

ISTEA reauthorization
Just a quick note with respect to the March 30, 1998 article on ISTEA reauthorization, wherein mention is made that Rep. James Barcia has put forth an amendment to H.R. 2400; this amendment will allow local elected officials (emphasis added) from non-metropolitan areas of less than 50,000 population ... more input into the ISTEA planning process. It's about time!

The importance of such an amendment, if approved, is not just its thrust towards non-metropolitan areas, BUT its recognition that local elected officials should have "their say" in transportation issues. After participating in transportation planning for more than three decades, I can confirm that the opinions of local elected officials are barely given "lip service" by state transportation officials, let alone given serious consideration by those occupying decision-making positions within state transportation agencies.

While the amendment in question will probably do little to alter this state transportation agency attitude, it does offer some hope that there are at least a few lawmakers who both realize the "importance" of local input AND recognize that local elected officials are capable of formulating rational, intelligent and sound positions on transportation issues. Please extend my NOTE OF APPRECIATION to Rep. Barcia.

Respectfully,
Jack M. Canan
Housing and Community Development, Kent County (Md.) coordinator

Cell Tower Camouflage
County News has covered the dilemma of siting cellular towers very ably. Like many of your readers, I am besieged with permit requests for cellular towers. While we all think the towers are eyesores, we know we need to allow the cellular carriers to build the antennas to fill in the dead spots in their systems.

Instead of caving in to the carriers, or conversely, enacting a moratorium on tower construction ... we have a third choice. We ought to insist that the carriers camouflage the poles. It works best if we offer them some type of incentive to go along. By offering a carrot instead of a stick, they are more likely to comply ... and the dispute is resolved.

Mike Boyd
chairman
Pima County Board of Supervisors
Tucson, Ariz.