November 7, 2012
Alabama, Letters

Cherokee County land owner hopes wind turbines won’t scar scenic Lookout Mountain

Cherokee County Herald | November 7, 2012

To the Citizens of Cherokee County, Alabama:

I’m not one to meddle in other peoples’ business, but after reading the article about the possibility of wind turbines being installed on the brow of Lookout Mountain above Leesburg, one of the greatest scenic treasures in the State of Alabama, and for that matter east of the Mississippi, I felt compelled to say something.

First of all, I’m a Georgia resident who fell in love with Cherokee County, Alabama’s beautiful lake and mountain views a few years ago.

So much so that I could not rest until I purchased by own small piece of Alabama real estate to enjoy my retirement on. Not only does your county have more than its share of great scenic beauty and fantastic recreational assets, I’ve found the people who live there to be the friendliest anywhere. The citizens of Cherokee County are truly blessed to live in a place with such a great beauty and natural resources, with your Lookout Mountain being the center piece of it all.

The first thing to catch the eye of a tourist or frequent visitor like myself is the majestic mountain ridge with its shear and stone cliffs in the distance called Lookout Mountain.

Nothing less than breathtaking to say the least.

When I read the article in your local paper about the possibility of wind turbines being installed on such a beautiful mountain I could hardly believe such a thing would be considered.

I’m all for more energy and cheaper energy and the positive economic impact like much needed jobs that can come with its development, but to put these mechanical eye sores in the middle of this beautiful landscape would be to drive a stake in the heart of what makes Cherokee County so attractive to folks like myself who live elsewhere but visit Cherokee County every chance they get because they love and respect what nature has so abundantly blessed your county with. To lose such a spectacular scene to 10 mechanical wind turbines would be a shame for every one who places a high value on the one and only Lookout Mountain.

No doubt these mechanical monstrosities may produce lower utility bills a few dollars for awhile, but at what cost to one of Alabama’s most visible and well-known attractions, Lookout Mountain? That would forever be scarred by the presence of these mechanical giants with their whirring, rotating blades.

It’s my and many others’ sincere hope that the Citizens of Cherokee County and its elected officials will find a more suitable location for these wind turbines and make every effort to preserve this one of a kind triumph of nature, Cherokee County’s Lookout Mountain.

With Respect and Admiration,

John W. Roberts
3449 Buchanan Highway
Cedartown, Ga. 30125


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/11/07/cherokee-county-land-owner-hopes-wind-turbines-wont-scar-scenic-lookout-mountain/