September 2, 2013
Ontario

Turbine protest hits the beach

Brenden Gibbins | Owen Sound , 97.9 The Beach, Port Elgin | September 1, 2013 | www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca

Activists against wind turbines are looking to raise awareness and set a Guinness World record while they’re at it.

The Saugeen Turbine Operation Policy is organizing a rally Monday on the beach in Port Elgin to raise awareness of health issues from industrial wind turbines.

STOP spokesperson Greg Schmalz says activists from all across rural Ontario will stand shoulder to shoulder and spell the word “HELP” in the hopes of setting a Guinness World Record.

Schmalz says the goal of the event is to send a message to all levels of government that the STOP group needs to study the health effects of industrial wind turbines.

He says the application is in and aircrafts have been hired to record the event from the air in video and still photo formats.

One of the main turbines in question is the one operated by the CAW in Port Elgin that has been causing residents grief.

The turbine began operation in March and is less than the mandated 550 meters from any residential homes but is legal because its approval came before the Green Energy rules on distance from homes.

On Monday night (Aug 26), Saugeen Shores Council voted unanimously to ask the CAW to shut down, outright, the operation of the turbine.

Schmalz tells Bayshore Broadcasting News that the CAW has steadfastly refused to communicate with citizens in Port Elgin that have been affected.

He recalls one resident who filed 22 complaints about the CAW and didn’t get one phone call back.

The labour day event will run from 11am to 2pm in Gobles Grove. Currently there is no record for such an event.

Schmalz doesn’t know how many people will show up but he has been contacted by groups as far away as Hamilton and Niagara Falls who will be coming by bus.

He says the CAW has scaled down their annual labour day parade as well because they’re fearful of holding it the same day as the HELP rally on the beach.

[audio available]

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/02/turbine-protest-hits-the-beach/