May 20, 2011
Letters, Maine

The Sheeple of Rumford

Rumford Falls Times, www.rumfordfallstimes.com 20 May 2011

While the Sheeple were watching “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars,” their selectmen concocted a wind ordinance essentially written by and for the wind industry, in spite of all the information they were supplied with to do the right thing.

But none is more blind than he who wishes not to see and none is more deaf than he who does not wish to listen.

Anyone living within a mile of these towers will be affected by intrusive annoying noise mostly in the evening and in the winter time. This will lead to medical issues as has occurred already in other places with wind developments.

There is no financial protection for the town if the developer goes bankrupt within 10 years to remove these towers.

Real estate within sight of the towers will be affected by at least a 40% drop and essentially unsalable. There will be no tax gains for Rumford; and if anything, Rumford taxes will go up due to increased valuation.

There will be an increased amount in town contribution to the school budget and taxes will also increase due to a decrease in valuation from the natural gas plant, Brookville Hydro and the co-gen plant that will not be able to sell their power since by law wind takes precedence. Electrical rates will go up as well due to increased transmission costs.

Without a protective ordinance, there is no limit to the number of turbines that can be placed in this area so essentially all of the River Valley could be peppered by them. It will affect economic growth and tourism and that is why the North Carolina State Legislature unanimously banned any development especially wind towers on their mountains. It will only create, at best, two permanent new local jobs.

The proponents of this tax funded fraud have always refused to debate the issue and why should they; say a lie long enough and the Sheeple will believe it.

Rumford really has a government of the Sheeple, by the Sheeple and for the Sheeple.

And while the sheeple are now riveted by the QVC Channel, the corporate wolves with the help of their political cronies and politically linked legal firms are licking their chops.

Better think twice before approving this ordinance.

Albert Aniel, MD,

Mexico


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/20/the-sheeple-of-rumford/