October 17, 2011
Letters, Massachusetts

Opposed to wind turbine at Winter Island

The Salem News, www.salemnews.com 17 October 2011

The Oct. 10 article headlined, “Trip to see Hull wind turbine: Mayor, task force hope concerned residents will go,” demonstrates once again how this administration continues to push controversial programs down the throat of its citizens, i.e., St. Joseph Church/senior center, Boston and Bridge street senior center location, etc.

Now it’s the wind turbine at Winter Island.

During the early years of the 1970s, Mayor Samuel Zoll, in all of his wisdom, along with members of the City Council, marched on Winter Island to take back from the federal government land that originally belonged to the citizens of Salem. I was a member of that group, having served as Ward 3 councilor for eight years from 1968 to 1975.

The site was and still is the most pristine location in the city and has a view second to none. The intention of the government on that day was to retrieve and provide an area for all of Salem’s citizens to enjoy for centuries to come. A wind turbine at this location will diminish its beauty and deprive many people of a place of leisure and relaxation.

Only 40 years later, and that vision is being threatened by a select few citizens and the city’s leadership. Now is the time for the legislative branch, the City Council, to speak up and be heard.

As a legislative branch of government, it has its own laws and responsibilities to Salem. Its members were not elected to be a rubber stamp for the executive branch of government.

Those who support the turbine proposal might consider locating it away from Winter Island and possibly at the present power-plant location after it is closed next year.

It is mind-boggling and unacceptable to believe that Winter Island, because of its proximity to the wind and ocean, is the only location where a wind turbine can be effective, considering there are inland locations throughout the country with these turbines.

Joseph R. Ingemi Jr.

Salem


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/17/opposed-to-wind-turbine-at-winter-island/