Natalie Maples, an attorney representing AT&T who addressed the Ville Platte City Council earlier this year in February, appeared again before the council Tuesday for it to vote on a proposed third cell tower in the city.
As Maples explained, the tower would be located in the back of a vacant lot on LaSalle Street between Wal-Mart and Hibbet Sports. The tower would also be a 225-foot high self-support tower.
“They don’t fall like trees,” Maples said. “Instead, it has break points and is designed to fall upon itself. If the tower were to fall, it’s going to fall within the tower compound. You won’t have any debris falling outside the area.”
Maples, upon questioning from Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, explained the benefits of having a third cell tower.
“There will be a demonstrable improvement to the coverage and capacity in the area,” Maples responded. “Coverage is the ability to make a call, and capacity is the ability to stay on the call.”
She continued, “The number one factor AT&T considers when deciding where to put a new tower is customer complaints. That means all your constituents are calling AT&T and complaining about the coverage. There are enough complaints in this area to justify getting a new tower. The new towers are not cheap. If AT&T can avoid putting a new tower in the area, they’re going to do it. But, we’re beholden to our customers who are also your constituents. The customers are demanding improved coverage and capacity in this area.”
Maples then ran down the benefits of having better coverage and capacity for business retention, tourism, and retention of young people.
Later in tIn other business, the council:
•approved hiring Colby Dupre with the Ville Platte Fire Department and hiring Samuel Tezeno as a full-time patrolman pending a physical and the budget.
•appointed Robert Perron as city plumber, Chris Ardoin as alternate city plumber, and Riley Arvie as operator.
•heard from James Bertrand about drainage issues at his office on Magnolia Street.
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Tony Marks
Editor