Slow and Steady Not Ideal for Emergency Radio Tower

Even though slow and steady usually wins the race, the emergency radio system in Columbus, North Carolina, needs to be up and running, and soon. In April the Board of County Commissioners approved a $377,000 improvement plan for the county’s $1.3 million radio system, according to the Fay Observer. However, there has been little progress since April. Tests have been conducted to determine whether existing towers across the county can handle the additional equipment, but the improvements can’t be made until all seven tower sites are ready. The Fay Observer reported, “Time Warner has agreed to replace its tower, with that work to begin next month. And the North Carolina Highway Patrol has agreed to allow the county to use space on a tower it wants to build on the Nakina site, which is owned by the Columbus County Board of Education. Engineers with Kenwood Communications may have a recommendation this week on the 911 Center tower.”