Turbine decision requires thought
Credit: Huron County View | 2014-09-18 | huroncountyview.mihomepaper.com ~~
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Recently, after attending meetings in Meade Township, I feel a lack of integrity and transparency may have clouded the view of some of the local officials in charge.
At meetings over a year ago we were told: “the DTE wind farm was set in stone,” “it’s a done deal,” “public has no say.” Other scare tactics about Eminent Domain, lawsuits on the township level as well as personal ones were used to keep the questioning and curious residents quiet.
Only recently has it hit home what this will mean to my family and my fellow residents of Meade who try to live in peace. As recently reported on the front page of local newspapers; our (Meade) officials are apparently giving “green lights” to a proposed wind farm project that will affect all Meade residents’ Health, Safety, and Welfare. I feel Meade’s officials need to move forward more cautiously, collaborate with residents, creating a sense of ease rather than the sense of intimidation we’ve been greeted with in the past. I’m hoping that integrity is alive and well in each and every board member as they strive to complete this daunting task.
However, it is disturbing that some board members have, or will have, contracts with DTE that will bring financial gain for them personally. This is fine and I am happy for them, except it makes one wonder at the urgency to pass our wind ordinance when so much new information is rolling in faster than we can grasp it. Even the Huron County commissioners are proclaiming they need to know so much morel Let’s get the job done; but let’s do it smart! I applaud all the work that has already been done by the board and planning commission, please don’t drop the ball now just because some are tired of dealing with it!
It is my personal feeling that transparency with residents earlier in the game could have avoided the issues just now coming to haunt us all! Let’s learn from that error and move forward so the entire township is well educated and well informed on where this project is taking us all. We have a right to know any and all the effects of every aspect of this project, before it gets under way! Even the people who are getting dollars from DTE wind projects need to be protected! Their health, safety and welfare are just as important as the rest of us!
So, a final note to Meade Township’s officials; take a deep breath, dig in, do your job with integrity and follow it through to the end. Our township needs all of our residents’ input and support. If this is done right, with integrity, and intelligently, with the most current information to guide all decisions; it will create a much smoother transition for all who live here.
Cindy Jeffers
Elkton, Meade Township
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