That’s no laughing matter 

Dear Editor,

“WE ARE NOT ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE” The Courier Times titled in an open letter to the public. “We report the good, the bad and the ugly. We are unbiased, fair and accurate,” impels me to respond to our local paper on a recent editorial by an employee of this paper.

The opinion written on Aug. 10, 2018 by Travis Weik, Courier-Times reporter, challenges me to trust our local paper to be unbiased, fair and accurate.

Mr. Weik’s letter was demonization of a group of people in Henry County who object to Industrial Wind Turbines being sited near residences during the Aug. 7, 2018 hearing before the Planning Commission on Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) ordinances for Henry County.

He wrote of his fellow Libertarian, “Jeers, from the audience went up in the crowd when District 1 County Council candidate, Jeremiah Morrell stated, “Wind is dead in Henry County.”

This is a claim spoken ad nauseam by many county and influential business leaders, hoping that people will buy it.

Mr. Weik apparently missed the humorous irony pointed out by the audience as Texas company, Calpine’s, Derek Reiman and his contingency stood at the back of the courtroom. They are sent to Indiana every time Calpine needs to protect their wind interests.

Mr. Weik stated, “sheriff deputies lined the courtroom.” Not accurate. The two deputies present might dispute that statement.

“Deputies were there to make sure no one tried taking a swing at the appointed officials.” An inflammatory statement.

And, “Who in their right minds would be stupid enough to turn their backs on a packed courtroom of passionate anti-winders.” An exaggeration.

Another inflammatory remark, “of course no one spoke in favor of wind, they would have been tarred and feathered.”

These statements were meant to portray a violent, angry group, barely able to remain in their seats before taking matters in their own hands.

The Courier’s statement, “If you believe, as we do, that having accurate information is the key to making good decisions, then you should subscribe to newspapers.” “Among the most trustworthy are your local newspapers.” confuses me. The difference between looking at a newspaper at the news stand and buying it to read ‘trusted’ in-depth reporting can be a critical financial decision for that paper’s existence.

I attend county meetings wind farm related. In the last two years, I have also educated myself in medical studies related to Industrial Wind Turbines (IWTs). The picture presented of the citizens of this county trying to protect their families and their property rights was unjustified. Mr. Weik seems woefully uneducated in the effects of IWTs on the human body or any subject relative to IWTs affecting this county outside his own ‘Libertarian’ political views.

Mr. Weik does have the right to express his opinion in a letter to the editor.

However, if his depiction of a meeting he covered for his paper indicates his responsibility to be unbiased, fair and accurate in reporting, then I would have to say to his employer the same as he titled his opinion piece …

“That’s no laughing matter.”

Sincerely,

Ann Wilson

Harrison Township