Moratorium Request Update 

"Maple Ridge residents, along with all other British Columbians, should have a choice whether or not they want one of B.C. Hydro's smart meters installed on their homes.

"Maple Ridge council voted Tuesday to send a letter to B.C. Hydro urging the provincial power utility to respect citizens right to opt out of the controversial $900 million project to replace the province's 1.8 million power meters . . .

"There is a strong suggestion these devices are harmful," Bell said at Tuesday's council meeting.

"Some may argue that [cell phones and microwaves] are used daily and emit the same frequencies in larger doses, but I want to point out the public makes choices in regards to ... those items.

"An earlier motion by Bell to call on B.C. Hydro for a complete moratorium on smart meter installation until there is further research into the health effects of the wireless devices was voted down 6-1, with only Bell voting in favour.

"Bell added there are potential security risks from implementing a wireless network from hackers, as well. Her claims of possible health risks from the devices were largely dismissed by the other councillors.

"Coun. Cheryl Ashlie said the motion wasn't well thought out, and that if the District takes a stand on smart meters as wireless devices, it would logically have to extend that policy to ban the wireless devices it requires its own staff to use.

"We issue cell phones, we have fire and police who use [wireless radios], so we would have to extend the moratorium if we believe there are [health concerns]," Ashlie said.

"Once you open that door you have to be prepared to argue it wholly, and I don't think we want to go down that road . . .