Verizon Apologizes to Blairsville and BRMEMC

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Verizon Representative Eleanor Callaghan attended the Nov. 12 City Council meeting to clear up any confusion about the small cell tower initiative and partnerships with Blue Ridge Mountain EMC (BRMEMC).

“I’m here to apologize for any miscommunication that I may have caused in my communications between you and staff. The misunderstanding led to a misrepresentation of our relationship with BRMEMC. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our experience here with the mayor and with staff has been amazing so has our experience with BRMEMC,“ stated Callaghan.

In the Oct. meeting, the mayor relayed to the council that Verizon and BRMEMC weren’t able to work out a deal on attaching the small cell devices to existing EMC poles within city limits.

The partnership was the preferred solution of the city council to limit new poles potentially being placed throughout the city. However, in Oct. that seemed improbable.

However, Fetch Your News contacted BRMEMC and Verizon after that meeting, and both commented that negotiations were ongoing.

Callaghan’s apology addressed the cross-signals and did confirm that BRMEMC continues to work with the organization.

“Everything is going great. BRMEMC has been very happy with sharing information and continuing to be a collaborative partner with Verizon,” Callaghan commended the working relationship between the three parties. She added that the Blairsville relationship is used as a best practice with her other jurisdictions.

Mayor Jim Conley asked when Blairsville would know more about the placement of small cell towers in the city, and Callaghan believes that sometime in Jan. 2020, Verizon could offer placement plans for the poles.

The new poles will be placed in the right of way and not on anyone’s property.