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Mount Pleasant – Samm Markstrom is a 10 year old ham radio fanatic who suffers from cerebral palsy. His family says the hobby has changed his life by building his self confidence.

“There are a lot of days he can't get outside to play and he gets really depressed and upset,” Catherine Markstrom, mother, said.

Samm’s hobby has also helped others. The fifth grader helped spread the word about last summer’s Kenosha tornadoes, picking up an award for his volunteer work from the volunteer center of Racine county.

“It's just mindblowing,” Samm Markstrom, 10 year old, said.

Now Samm’s mother Catherine is worried her son will have to give up his hobby. Village leaders say they didn’t have the proper permits to build the ham radio tower that sits 62 feet tall in their backyard on Stoddard Lane in Mount Pleasant.

“Everything had gone in, to our knowledge very legally” Catherine argued.

Neighbors aren’t happy either. Eric Scott lives directly next door.

“They started off with just a little antenna which was fine then the monstrosity came about the big tower and that's the one we were really worried about. We do see it rocking back and forth,” Eric Scott said.

“We have a 6 year old son and he plays in the backyard and if that were to come down,” Scott added.

“Could you see why this could be a public safety issue?” reporter Melissa McCrady asked.

“No. I can’t. This tower is rated to withstand hurricane strength winds. If an F-4 tornado came by it would be the only thing standing,” Catherine replied.

A zoning board agreed to take a second look at the tower, and will make a decison in 60 days.

The family says they may move if they have to give up the tower.