Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick Testifies at Senate Committee hearing entitled, "Removing Barriers to Wireless Broadband"
WILTON MANORS, Fla., Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at 10 a.m., the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a full committee hearing entitled, "Removing Barriers to Wireless Broadband Deployment."
In addition to four industry experts, Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick, who also serves as Chair of the FCC's Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC), testified at the hearing.
"One of the main reasons I am testifying is to help ensure that if legislation that affects local governments and our residents is crafted, we have a seat at the table," said Resnick.
This hearing comes on the heels of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation's consideration of legislation that will make it easier for wireless service providers to construct cell towers by possibly preempting local zoning, land use and permitting.
"I am concerned that service providers may be granted the authority to build cell towers next to residential homes," said Resnick.
Commerce chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) has said the committee needs to look at freeing up the government spectrum.
"When Congress talks about promoting American technological innovation, chances are it involves wireless broadband," said Thune in announcing the latest hearing. "For Americans in rural communities, access to technological innovation is increasingly dependent on the availability of robust wireless networks. This hearing will examine barriers, regulatory and otherwise, to the deployment of wireless broadband facilities, infrastructure, and service."
Mayor Resnick reiterated that not unlike the majority of cities and counties across the nation, the City of Wilton Manors leverages its land use authority to determine where cell towers can be built, and its permitting requirements to ensure that they're constructed according to building codes.
"It's about protecting and maintaining our property values, but even more so, it's about the health safety and welfare of our residents, that we retain such authority," said Resnick.
Mayor Resnick has served on the FCC's Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) for six years and is the current chair for the 2014-16 term. He selected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve as Vice Chair. Resnick and de Blasio serve on the IAC alongside other county, state, municipal and tribal officials, including Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, to advise the FCC on important communications-related issues that affect their residents. Mayor Resnick is also a shareholder and practicing attorney with GrayRobinson Attorneys at Law.
ABOUT THE FCC IAC
The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee ("IAC"), formerly known as the Local and State Government Advisory Committee, was created in 1997 to provide guidance to the Commission on issues of importance to state, local and tribal governments, as well as to the Commission. The IAC is composed of 15 elected and appointed officials of municipal, county, state, and tribal governments. The IAC provides ongoing advice and information to the Commission on a broad range of telecommunications issues of interest to state, local and tribal governments, including cable and local franchising, public rights-of-way, facilities siting, universal service, broadband access, barriers to competitive entry, and public safety communications, for which the Commission explicitly or inherently shares responsibility or administration with local, county, state or tribal governments. For more information on the FCC IAC, please visit: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/intergovernmental-advisory-committee
ABOUT THE CITY OF WILTON MANORS
Wilton Manors was laid out in 1925 by Edward John "Ned" Willingham, a land developer from Georgia, as an upscale residential community. It was recognized as a Village in 1947 and incorporated as a City in 1953. Today, the City of Wilton Manors offers all the benefits of a big city from shopping, to hip restaurants and bars, a burgeoning arts community and tons of community events, yet still maintains a cozy, community-feeling offering miles of natural waterways perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and other outdoor activities. Recently named the "Second Gayest City" in the United States, the City of Wilton Manors celebrates a diverse population of approximately 12,000 residents. To learn more about the live, work and play opportunities in Wilton Manors call (954) 390-2100 or visit www.wiltonmanors.com.
CONTACT: Laurie Menekou, (954) 732-0754 (or) [email protected]
SOURCE City of Wilton Manors
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