Sneaky Fairhaven leaders give bad project a second wind
By Richard T. Clark, www.southcoasttoday.com 8 December 2011
By Richard T. Clark, www.southcoasttoday.com 8 December 2011
“It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good news,” words written by John Heywood back in 1546 but having great relevance to the plight of many living in Fairhaven.
With great lack of foresight, the Fairhaven Board of Selectman has reactivated the wind turbine project – carefully and quietly so as to avoid undue attention. Most everyone assumed that the project had died a natural death, but apparently Dr. Brian Bowcock was instrumental in achieving an amazing, miraculous resuscitation and with all due haste the project was back on track – or more specifically on path.
Under cover of a national holiday, and without fanfare, the heavy equipment moved in along the bike path (where motor vehicles are banned) to begin hacking down trees and bull-dozing the natural habitat into huge piles where once little creatures scampered freely.
The project resuscitation included a surgical resection, substituting a Chinese turbine for the original U.S. made turbine. There goes the quality! And the neighborhood! And what about repairs or replacement of parts? Of course, let’s just forget the plight of American workers laid off due to lack of orders!
Just as the Board of Selectmen are rolling into high gear, and patting themselves on the back, comes news that nearby Falmouth is shutting down their turbine due to health issues affecting nearby residents. Wow! Who would have thought?
The evidence has been around for some time. In 2006, Dr. Nina Pierpont of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, made this statement: “I am an intelligent person and I support renewable energy. I am not here to shoot down wind energy, which probably has its place, though that place is not near people’s homes or near schools, hospitals, or other locations where people have to sleep or learn.” The reasons for Dr. Pierpont’s comment: sleep problems, headaches, dizziness, nausea, exhaustion, anxiety, anger, irritability and depression as well problems with concentration and learning and tinnitus. All clearly documented.
A lot of people will be trying to sleep in the area surrounding the twin turbines, and a lot of students at the Wood School will be trying to learn – in clear sight of the turbines. Any comments from the Board of Selectmen? Or the Fairhaven Board of Health?
With all of the health issues listed above it is strange that the Fairhaven Board of Health seems reluctant to tackle the turbine issues. That may be due to their reluctance to address the unhealthy summer air quality in the neighborhood surrounding the sewage treatment plant. Perhaps they feel that the turbines will blow the odor away. End of problem!
I originally voted for the turbines, thinking green – not realizing that others were also thinking green – but not the green of grass or trees, etc. I rue the day that I made such an error! I can only repent and try to right the wrong by joining with others who really do have the best interests of the community at heart and who are WindWise!
Down with the turbines!
Richard T. Clark lives in Fairhaven.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/09/sneaky-fairhaven-leaders-give-bad-project-a-second-wind/