them to cancer. She also fears the environmental impact on wildlife and pollinators like bees. “Our beach front is where my family disconnects from technology and connects with family, friends, and nature. Our hope is to continue to enjoy Spring Lake in good health and remain tower free.”
and wildlife health. Local birds are given sanctuary nearby, but officials’ hands are tied when Verizon pushes beyond reasonable parameters. This is no different than the windmills in our oceans, which have fortunately been banned.” LAURA DEMEO, SLA5GT SENIOR TEAM Laura DeMeo, an athlete and longtime resident, worries the towers will permanently alter Spring Lake’s charm and tranquility. “Once they’re up, there’s no turning back,” she warns. Laura and her 8-year-old son have been actively involved in the cause, from distributing signs to attending borough meetings. For her, this is about protecting the environment and public health. “My son is my reminder every day of why this cause is so important.” JUDI KEEFE, SPRING LAKE RESIDENT A resident for over four decades, Judi fondly remembers dancing with her husband Tom at the Warren, Monmouth, and “E&S.” She highlights Spring Lake’s historic and cultural significance as a main reason for concern over the proposed towers. “Spring Lake’s scenic streets, hotels, homes, and boardwalk have all been featured in classic films like Ragtime with James Cagney and Once Upon a Time in America with Robert DeNiro. Our town feels like it belongs to a different time; a time when nature and beauty were prioritized through calm and quiet. These towers would destroy that,” she notes.
BY KATIE SCHRADER - EDITOR Spring Lake Against 5G Towers
S pring Lake residents cherish their town’s charm, history, and natural beauty. Many have deep generational ties, while others fell in love with its peaceful streets, friendly neighbors, and pristine beaches. Whether it’s watching their children bike to the library, gathering for beach days, or experiencing the joy of skating on the frozen lake, they all share a profound appreciation for what makes Spring Lake unique. But now, they find themselves fighting to preserve it against the installation of 5G towers along Ocean Avenue. We interviewed several residents involved with the grassroots organization “Spring Lake Against 5G Towers” (SLA5GT) who are committed to stopping the installation to protect Spring Lake’s coastline and community.
Since its start, SLA5GT has grown into a 300-member- strong grassroots organization, standing in solidarity as the town now battles Verizon’s lawsuit against them. “We recently filed as ‘intervenor-defendants’ to ensure the residents have a seat at the table. This is a cause worth fighting for.” YOLANDA ELENA, SLA5GT SENIOR TEAM Yolanda Elena recently returned from living in California to Spring Lake to raise her family in her childhood home while helping her parents. This fall, she was shocked to learn a 5G tower could be placed dangerously close to their home. “This isn’t just about my family—it’s about all the children who play on our beaches and in the Pavilion pools. These towers don’t belong in a place where so many could be exposed to the potential risks of 5G radiation,” she says. Yolanda met Kelley at a town hall meeting and has since been working to fight Verizon’s plan. “Kelley is extraordinary. She’s admirable, dedicated, and someone I am now proud to call a friend.”
Joe Rizzo
JOE RIZZO, SPRING LAKE RESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE Joe first learned of the 5G plans last fall when he and Barbara Kolarsick Harrigan, President of the Historical Center, received a letter from Terracon requesting input. Concerned about the impact on the town’s historic character, Rizzo responded with a letter outlining the potential harm to landmarks, including The Essex & Sussex, The Breakers, and the Ocean Avenue Gates to name only a few. “Spring Lake’s earliest planners mandated that no structures be located within the parkland surrounding Devine Park and the lake. This planning extended to the beach and boardwalk to keep them uncluttered. This proposal threatens that legacy,” he said. Joe also identified other historic hotels, the North and South Pavilions, as well as several homes that could qualify for National Register status, which these towers could jeopardize. Joe’s expertise in preservation has been invaluable to SLA5GT. EVERYONE CAN HELP Spring Lake residents aren’t opposed to technological advancement, but they refuse to let it come at the expense of their town’s integrity, health, and history. They are prepared to stand together, ensuring that the community’s voice is heard against intrusive infrastructure that threatens everything they love about their town. To learn more, volunteer, donate to the Legal Defense Fun, sign-up for their newsletter, or order a lawn sign for the Spring Lake Against 5G Towers, please visit their website at www.SpringLakeAgainst5GTowers.com.
Kelley Badishkanian & Yolanda Elena
KELLEY BADISHKANIAN, FOUNDER OF SLA5GT Kelley founded SLA5GT after learning of Verizon’s proposal to install six massive towers along the beachfront. For her, the fight is about preserving the town’s aesthetic and environmental integrity. “These industrial towers would be a permanent blight on Spring Lake’s landscape,” she says. She is also concerned about health risks, citing a lack of comprehensive long-term studies on 5G radiation exposure. “I am grateful to live in such a loving community, and I feel a responsibility to pass along this beautiful place to the next generations, to my children’s children.”
Dr. Robert Hendrickson
Gina Lu
DR. ROBERT HENDRIKSON, SPRING LAKE RESIDENT Dr. Robert Hendrikson, an orthopedic surgeon with over forty years of experience, was drawn to the cause after researching the potential biological effects of 5G radiation. “I was immediately concerned about the egregious violation of human
GINA LU, SPRING LAKE RESIDENT & BUSINESS OWNER Gina, owner of Gemma Lulu Designs is deeply worried about the potential health risks of everyday exposure to electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs), citing research linking
14 March 2025
Stroll Spring Lake 15
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