One by one, alternative recovery methods were ruled out. A helicopter operation was deemed too dangerous due to unpredictable winds and possible complications with the tower’s guy wires. A worldwide search for the loftiest cherry pickers, high reach platforms and tower cranes --- including state-of-the-art units available in Europe --- found that all were still far too short to reach the wreckage.

The widow of Mr. Paquette then weighed in with her preference that nothing be done, stating to reporters that he should be permitted to drop from the tower naturally, "like an apple from a tree.” However, residents living in the shadow of the tower respectfully objected to the apple plan. Several other ideas were discussed, and all were eventually dismissed for possessing too much risk to salvage personnel or to the homes and businesses located below.

After several days of careful consideration, Emergency Management officials concluded that the only way to safely recover the wreckage was to dismantle the entire $6-million structure.

Looking to demolition experts for guidance, officials contacted one of America’s premier rapid-response teams, Engineered Demolition Inc. (ENDE) of Hayden Lake, Idaho. A crew of specialists led by blaster Eric Kelly were rushed to the scene within hours, and after touring the zone and studying site plans Mr. Kelly determined that the tower could be explosively ‘folded’ in on itself in way that would not endanger several homes located just 300 feet from its base.