March 18, 2008
Letters, New York

All discussions of wind turbines should be public

Your March 12 article on the wind law setback committee in Richmondville was welcomed, as has been all of your coverage of this important issue.

A casual reader, however, may have been left with the erroneous impression that Richmondville’s handing of the issue has been vindicated. It’s important to note that the New York state Committee on Open Government has not rendered a formal opinion relating to the latest attempt by town officials to exclude the public from deliberations concerning industrial wind turbines.

As noted, our organization has successfully argued in the past to the same body that the town has acted in a manner that is not consistent with state law, and we welcome the opportunity to furnish additional information about this latest incident to the state. More important, a reasonable person has to ask, why conduct deliberations that may potentially impact the health, safety, property values and quality of life of Richmondville residents in secret?

If indeed it turns out that the town was technically within its legal right to do so, it only proves that they have been successful at being deceptive. The residents of Richmondville clearly deserve better.

Bob Nied

Richmondville

The writer is co-director of the Schoharie Valley Watch.

Daily Gazette

18 March 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/18/all-discussions-of-wind-turbines-should-be-public/