Anyone who has spent any time following the state Legislature can tell you that one of the most powerful lobbying forces in Sacramento is the telecom industry. Among other things, AT&T for years sponsored a glitzy celebrity golf tournament at Pebble Beach called “the Speaker’s Cup.”

It appears San Francisco is not that different: It’s hard for the community to fight AT&T.

The company has a high-powered lobbying firm, Lighthouse Public Affairs, on a $10,000 monthly retainer, Ethics Commission records show. And the Planning Commission just voted to approve a plan to build a 104-foot tower with 12 new antennas in the middle of the residential neighborhood of Diamond Heights.

The “monopole” would soar over existing trees and create a major new element on the skyline in a part of town where

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