Wind turbine referendum requested  

Credit:  Listowel Banner, www.northperth.com 15 February 2012 ~~

NORTH PERTH – Support is being requested from North Perth council to hold a referendum on the proposed wind energy project at the request of a resident.
Ross Stone, resident of Perth East, spoke at the Feb. 13 meeting of council, and said he was spurred to the idea of organizing a referendum after seeing the fabric of the community being torn by the debate over the proposed Invenergy Canada wind turbine project. Stone said that even though there has been minimal support from residents, the majority have spoken in opposition.
“Although 10 property owners have signed lease agreements with Invenergy, over 300 property owners who could sign have chosen not to do so,” Stone said.
Stone added that of the 10 residents that have signed, five now regret the decision. According to Stone, property owners feel they have been left out of the decision-making process, even though it has the potential to affect them just as much.
“We feel we have not been involved in the process, although we represent the collective will of over 97 per cent of our community,” he said. “In an issue like this, I feel the entire community should have an input.”
To that end, Stone hopes to organize a referendum to accurately gauge opposition to the low-density project of 23-27 turbines in North Perth and Perth East. In Stone’s understanding, there are yet opportunities for municipal and public input before the project proceeds… Please read more in this weeks Listowel Banner