March 6, 2011
New York

‘Windfall’ hits Clayton

By: Amanda Kelley, Your News Now, centralny.ynn.com 5 March 2011

CLAYTON, N.Y. – A documentary film called Windfall hit the screen in Clayton Saturday and hit home for many in the audience.

Film Director Laura Israel said, “The town was approached by wind developers, and it just shows the process that the residents in the town go through when they find out what that means”

Town of Lyme Councilwoman Anne Harris said, “That is was just identical to what we’re going through in the town of Lyme.”

State Assemblywoman Addie Russell said, “It was striking the similarities and it was also good to see that this film covered the breadth of the issues many in our community have.”

It wasn’t just the topic of turbines in the small Upstate town of Meredith that interested Jefferson County residents, but the issues it caused were all too familiar.

Israel said, “A lot of divisiveness erupts in the town and a lot of drama, so that’s part of it.”

Harris said, “We’re discussing a wind law and setbacks and residents are divided on the issue.”

Although everyone in the audience was familiar with the story in ‘Windfall’, they say there are still lessons they can take away from this film.

Israel said, “To really have the film open doors to a more balanced discussion about what the issues are and really have people communicate with each other instead of calling names and saying there’s only two solutions. Anti, pro or yes, no. There must be some way to negotiate with each other and move forward.”

Harris said, “To keep the communication with residents open. Learn what the residents want before we create a wind law that’s going to impact everyone in our community for twenty years or so.”

And even though turbines do cause unbelievable tension throughout local communities, lawmakers believe each town should have a say in this important issue.

Russell said, “I believe that a community should be able to make decisions on whether or not this type of development should go on and where and how it should go on.”

If you weren’t able to make a viewing at the Clayton Opera House Saturday, you can see a trailer from the film. Just head on over to www.WindfallTheMovie.com.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/06/windfall-hits-clayton/