Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Orthodox Jews pulled into cell tower dialogue
The horrifying ordeal of a Brooklyn couple trapped inside their car for 32 hours on a remote stretch of the Adirondack Northway has rallied their Orthodox Jewish family and neighbors.
The story of Alfred Langer, 63, who froze to death while his wife, Barbara, 59, lay immobilized while waiting for help, is the focal point of a new push to get cellphone towers built in the Adirondack Park along one of the state's most desolate highways.
"The Orthodox community is roaring mad. Everyone is extremely angry," said Benzion Herbst, the Langers' son-in-law.
The anger has turned an Adirondack issue into a downstate issue as well. Some lawmakers predict the tragedy may finally force some kind of deal allowing the construction of cellphone towers.
Thousands of people attended Alfred Langer's funeral on Sunday. They were furious, saying the couple's suffering could have been prevented. "If there were cell towers, I'm convinced my father-in-law would be alive," Herbst said.
The Langers, on their way back from a friend's wedding in Montreal, crashed their car sometime after 1 a.m. Thursday near North Hudson, about 75 miles south of the Canadian border.
The accident happened on a 70-mile stretch where there is no cellphone service. Even though emergency call boxes dot the highway, both were too injured to venture out. Trees obscured their car from passing motorists.
While they awaited rescue, Alfred Langer tried to keep his wife's spirits up. "We're not going to die. No way. We're going to live," Langer told her.
Thirteen hours after the crash, he slipped into unconsciousness and died of hypothermia. His wife shouted to try to keep him awake, Herbst said.
It was another 19 hours before a state trooper finally spotted their vehicle.
Barbara Langer is still in Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington, Vt. Doctors have told the family they expect her to make a full recovery, according to Herbst.
The family is dealing with its grief, which is compounded by the agony of the ordeal.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=558538&category=REGION&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=1/30/2007
The horrifying ordeal of a Brooklyn couple trapped inside their car for 32 hours on a remote stretch of the Adirondack Northway has rallied their Orthodox Jewish family and neighbors.
The story of Alfred Langer, 63, who froze to death while his wife, Barbara, 59, lay immobilized while waiting for help, is the focal point of a new push to get cellphone towers built in the Adirondack Park along one of the state's most desolate highways.
"The Orthodox community is roaring mad. Everyone is extremely angry," said Benzion Herbst, the Langers' son-in-law.
The anger has turned an Adirondack issue into a downstate issue as well. Some lawmakers predict the tragedy may finally force some kind of deal allowing the construction of cellphone towers.
Thousands of people attended Alfred Langer's funeral on Sunday. They were furious, saying the couple's suffering could have been prevented. "If there were cell towers, I'm convinced my father-in-law would be alive," Herbst said.
The Langers, on their way back from a friend's wedding in Montreal, crashed their car sometime after 1 a.m. Thursday near North Hudson, about 75 miles south of the Canadian border.
The accident happened on a 70-mile stretch where there is no cellphone service. Even though emergency call boxes dot the highway, both were too injured to venture out. Trees obscured their car from passing motorists.
While they awaited rescue, Alfred Langer tried to keep his wife's spirits up. "We're not going to die. No way. We're going to live," Langer told her.
Thirteen hours after the crash, he slipped into unconsciousness and died of hypothermia. His wife shouted to try to keep him awake, Herbst said.
It was another 19 hours before a state trooper finally spotted their vehicle.
Barbara Langer is still in Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington, Vt. Doctors have told the family they expect her to make a full recovery, according to Herbst.
The family is dealing with its grief, which is compounded by the agony of the ordeal.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=558538&category=REGION&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=1/30/2007
Comments:
This was a tragedy.However there are alternatives to waiting for government action,or demanding that private comnpanies build towers that may not be in their best interest.YISRAEL B'TACH BEHASHEM.
If this issue is of seious concern to any jew then we as individuals are obligated to take action due to 'sakonos nefashos'.
I can present three options and would look foward to seeing other alternatives presented.
#1 ON STAR
#2 CARRY A CB WALKIE TALKIE
#CARRY A SUPER BRIGHT OMNIDIRECTIONAL LAMP THAT CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES AROUND
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If this issue is of seious concern to any jew then we as individuals are obligated to take action due to 'sakonos nefashos'.
I can present three options and would look foward to seeing other alternatives presented.
#1 ON STAR
#2 CARRY A CB WALKIE TALKIE
#CARRY A SUPER BRIGHT OMNIDIRECTIONAL LAMP THAT CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES AROUND
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: February 01, 2007 3:58 AM
: February 01, 2007 3:58 AM
