A BellSouth district manager has pledged the utility's cooperation in dealing with treetop television antennas in Peachtree City.

Gene Gullage, district manager for corporate and external affairs, says that BellSouth Entertainment division is providing him information about direct-line TV antennas that have been installed in some trees in the city.

It was reported by development services director Jim Williams that as many as 1,000 homes might have the antennas. Gullage says the BellSouth Entertainment subscribers may number closer to 10.

"We just got started in this area," he said. He added that BellSouth is willing to "provide information to the city and to discuss safety issues to try to alleviate their concerns in this regard; I can understand why this would be of concern in Peachtree City."

Gullage's response came after city staff drafted a proposed ordinance to regulate "tree structures." Williams and City Manager Jim Basinger told the Peachtree City Council that the primary concern is safety, since the antennas might attract lightning and might become "spears" in a windstorm.

Williams initially told the council that his contacts with BellSouth had not been successful in trying to get someone to discuss possible solutions. Gullage said the company is willing to work with the city, "but I have to believe that safety factors and possible restrictions were researched before we launched into this venture."