December 3, 2016
Letters, Michigan

County officials let public down on wind turbines

The Argus-Press | December 3, 2016 | www.argus-press.com

Most of our county officials should be recalled for keeping the future of the wind turbines secret; that includes State Rep. Ben Glardon, R-Owosso.

When I asked him about wind turbines, he said, “Well, everyone makes money.” This goes to show that county officials were well aware of the turbines coming to our county without regard as to what most residents felt about them in their yards.

While attending a meeting in Fairfield Township, it was apparent that 80 percent there didn’t approve of turbines in their area. There were more comments against than for them.

We also heard from several farmers who have been receiving payments for contracted land, which shows this has been kept quiet by the county.

It is quite obvious that all the county is interested in is the revenue, no matter what effect it has on the environment. The county has been aware of this for the past eight yeas and probably would have kept at it. It makes me wonder how long The Argus-Press was aware of this.

There were at least three farmers at the meeting who have been receiving payments for five years and the one who owns probably a good share of the farmland in Fairfield Township did state he was not aware of the concerns of the public.

He also added we need to get electricity someplace, yet Green Meadows Farms has been producing electricity for years, so it can be done without the turbines.

There are other options available, such as water: The Shiawassee River is one of the longest rivers in the state.

I was disappointed in our new supervisor for not controlling the meeting better. There were numerous people who were interrupted during their turn to speak and not to mention the vulgar language and used by some.

That could be excused the first time because of the speakers’ frustration. The chairman not controlling the meeting was inexcusable since he is not a new kid on the block who has been on the township board. The secretary should not have to control the meeting.

Joe Tejkl

Elsie

Editor’s note: The Argus-Press first reported on the possibility of wind turbines being placed locally in a Sept. 30 story.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/12/03/county-officials-let-public-down-on-wind-turbines/