FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES DESTROYING DREAMS

Published November 15, 2007

Watertown Times

Section letters

 What makes America the greatest country in the world is being able to live your own American dream, something that you've worked for, no matter the size.

Most of us work a lifetime to achieve our goals. One dream for some of us brought up in the north country is to spend our winters in a warmer, gentler climate and our summers in one of the best-kept secrets of the north - on the lakes, bays and rivers of north Jefferson County.

But when the state, with the help of a few local landowners, decides to turn the pristine areas into industrial wind complexes, all our lives are forever changed. I have the greatest respect for our local farmers, as I worked for a couple of them for nearly 10 years as a kid while living on the shores of Three Mile Bay during the summer.

Continue reading Via the [WDT archives]

Wind History ~ 2007~ DEC GRANNIS rejects Lyme's plea for lead agency for bp's Cape Wind

This is a continuation of the timeline sent to me by

November 15, 2007:

NYSDEC Commissioner Grannis writes Towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent regarding his decision on Lyme’s lead-agency dispute over BP Project. Cape Planning Board claimed lead-agency status within the Town of Lyme because Lyme PB did not respond within 30 days to Cape’s request for lead-agency status. Grannis rejects Lyme’s plea to have lead-agency authority over that portion of the BP Cape-Lyme project within its bounds. It remains to be understood, however, whether Commissioner Grannis was aware of Edsall’s financial ties to BP and the potential conflicts of two other members of the Cape Planning Board. Moreover, if he had been known about these conflicts, would this have changed his findings in this dispute.

Cape Vincent race centers on wind power

2 November 2007

Wind power has turned the race for Cape Vincent town supervisor into perhaps the most contentious and controversial political campaign in the North Country.

“Everybody’s chosen sides. You’re either for windmills or you’re against windmills,” said local resident Harvey White.

The race for supervisor pits four-term Democratic incumbent Thomas Rienbeck against Republican John DeFrancesco.

Both support wind power development for the town.

However, the candidates’ political signs have been defaced or stolen.

There have been accusations of conflicts of interest and allegations of dirty politics.

Then there’s the Wind Power Ethics Group, which is suing the town zoning board.

The suit challenges the town’s zoning law that allows windmills within agricultural and residential zones.

“Had it not been for outside pressures of this anti-wind power group, there would be zoning regulations in place in Cape Vincent today,” said Rienbeck.

Some members of the Wind Power Ethics Group have backed DeFrancesco, who said he also has the votes of wind power supporters, Republicans and even Democrats.

“I’m for wind turbines, but they have to be done correctly. If they’re not done correctly and we don’t have good leadership, we will not reach the potential and it’ll be a disaster for us,” said DeFrancesco.

Wind power is also affecting certain members of the town council, who have been advised to abstain from voting on wind farm development due to conflicts of interest.

Two of the council members are seeking reelection and are being challenged by candidates who say they have no conflicts of interest.

“The whole atmosphere of Cape Vincent is one of community and that’s what I hope we get back to after the situation is resolved here,” said local resident Mary Hamilton.

wwnytv.net link to article not available

2 November 2007