Reader Endorses Misti Ray, Melba Kiser

Dear Editor,

I am a Noblesville resident of 23 years with 3 children graduating from Noblesville.

I have many good things to say about Noblesville schools. I also have a few experiences to share as we decide on the best leaders for school board.

I have asked for transparency in “back to school” information/newsletters to include the option for parents to file exemptions for vaccinations (medical/religious, per Indiana law). Unfortunately, the exemption option is often omitted, pushing families into a false belief that they must accept a medical procedure for their children to enroll/attend school. Why does that matter? In 2020, the Noblesville school board voted to follow CDC guidelines for Covid masking/testing. Under the school board president’s leadership, it was announced at a meeting that the board handed over authority and decision making for Covid protocols to then superintendent Beth Niedermeyer. As elected officials, school board personnel are chosen to represent the parents. The superintendent is a hired position and should not be given such broad-sweeping and impactful decision-making control.

Fast forward to the recent CDC recommendation to add the Covid injection to the childhood vaccination schedule. I do not know what the Indiana State House response will be. However, after witnessing the board President’s past decisions, I question future decision making to protect parental rights and our children regarding freedom for medical choice. Parents should be in control of all medical decisions for their children.

I attended the school board meeting on 7/21/21. A 5G tower was brought up at the end after most attendees had left. Several of us in the audience expressed concerns about safety prior to the vote. The President said they would allow an opportunity for input at a subsequent meeting, but the vote was pushed through to approve at that meeting. No further opportunity for community/parental input was allowed.

My friend Ron Wilson with Hamilton County Veterans has given permission to share excerpts from his public comment out of the Noblesville planning meeting minutes from 3/15/2021 as follows:

Mr. Wilson states in the 1940’s and 1950’s, doctors on TV, radio and ads claimed that cigarette smoking was safe and good for your health, and we all know how that turned out. He states in the 1960’s my generation was lied to regarding the effects of Agent Orange. He states he hates to think about the number of funerals that he has attended since returning to Noblesville. He states since my discharge from the Navy, thousands of men and women have suffered and died from Agent Orange and their children have suffered birth defects and many other health issues. We have been told to accept the fact the G5 towers are safe, and they will not harm anyone. He states for the sake of our children, I believe one life is not worth taking a chance on the G5 towers. He states he read a report that talked about children getting leukemia, I am not an expert but the things that were prophesied in writing, I believed happened. He requests that the Commission vote NO on the G5 tower that would be located not only here but on any Noblesville School property.”

There are many studies showing risks associated with electromagnetic fields (EMF). Here is a link to more than 1,500 peer-reviewed scientific papers identifying negative biological/health impacts. The International Assn of Fire Fighters (IAFF) adopted a position against commercial wireless cell towers on fire stations. The IAFF website collects an impressive/compelling body of information worth reading. It is disturbing that safety signals and health concerns were not considered for our children and teachers. It makes me wonder if money and ongoing revenue were a carrot that overshined objective reasoning. Some may argue it was for technology access. However, I believe another appropriate location could have been identified without risking our children’s health.

Here is the AT&T bid from July 19, 2021:

  • Monthly Rent – $1,200/month with 1.5% annual escalator
  • Co-locator Revenue – $100/month for each Co-locator
  • Bonus – $15,000 bonus in the event Option and Land Lease Agreement is executed by July 23, 2021
  • Windscreen – Payment up to $10,000 for purchase and installation of a windscreen

City/School meetings discussing the 5G tower:

  • go.boarddocs.com/in/noblesville/Board.nsf/files/BVGMYS5D1440/$file/Resolution.cell%20tower.EXE.pdf
  • cityofnoblesville.org/egov/documents/1623884139_94552.pdf
  • cityofnoblesville.org/egov/documents/1619203348_81115.pdf
  • go.boarddocs.com/in/noblesville/Board.nsf/Public

I believe the school board members are nice people, work hard for the students and community volunteering their time and talents. However, I am disappointed with these decisions, lack of transparency and efforts to limit parental and community input.

Therefore, I am supporting Misti Ray and Melba Kiser because I believe they are the best individuals for transparency, protecting parents’ rights and putting children first.

Respectfully submitted,


Tammy Mutter
Noblesville