Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Jefferson County Planning Board questions the safety of wind tubines

 Link here to continue reading  Watertown Daily Times Jefferson County Planning Board questions the safety of wind tubines

NEGATIVE SPIN: County planning panelist cites risk of gear falling apart
By CRAIG FOX
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011

Jefferson County Planning Board member Clifford J. Schneider worries about the day when a wind turbine spins out of control and throws pieces of equipment all over the place.

Mr. Schneider, a former Cape Vincent town councilman who opposes wind turbine projects, told his fellow county Planning Board members on Tuesday that he became more alarmed about such a thing happening after a personal wind turbine on County Route 7 in Cape Vincent began spinning out of control during some high winds in October.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Denmark planning board approves wind test tower

  Link here to continue reading  Watertown Daily Times Denmark planning board approves wind test tower

DENMARK TEST: Town Planning Board approves turbine, will talk to Fort Drum
By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011



DEER RIVER — The Denmark town Planning Board on Monday night signed off on a test tower for the Copenhagen Wind Farm project.

The board by a 7-0 vote approved a special-use permit request from Brooklyn wind developer OwnEnergy to install a 197-foot-tall meteorological tower at the Lyndon W. and Patricia F. Moser farm, 3981 Wilson Road. It would measure wind speed and direction.

Galloo wind developer files termination of purchase memorandum

  Link here to continue reading --  Watertown Daily Times Galloo wind developer files termination of purchase memorandum
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011


Galloo Island Wind Farm developer Upstate NY Power Corp. filed a termination of its memorandum of option to purchase Galloo Island from Galloo Island Corp. on Wednesday morning.

The termination has no bearing on whether the project is viable, Upstate NY Power representative Robert W. Burgdorf said in an email Monday. He said the paperwork was filed as some of the terms of the agreement are changing. It will be replaced by a new memorandum reflecting the new terms.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Cape Vincent has a lesson for Henderson

Cape Vincent has a lesson for Henderson

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2011


It was a very good letter written by Art Pundt of Cape Vincent titled “The casualties of wind development.” For many years and at anytime I’ve read an article either about their politics or on the issues of wind power, I can only think how similar our two communities are. I also can’t help believing their concerns and wishes to save themselves from greedy power-bearing individuals thinking of either themselves or just a few.

There are more advantages to what already exists for the whole community and without trying to make something we all breathe daily into being just another means to produce electricity. The disadvantages far outweigh any type of good intended in order to advance one’s self-interest over others.

One individual here in Henderson made the statement how beautiful wind towers are and with their blades moving. I see this differently and in looking into the future if this happens, see only ugly towers of steel and concrete rusting away like present auto junkyards that most communities have passed an ordinance to have very high fences to hide them. Can you see in your mind how high a fence would have to be constructed in order to hide these wind towers?

Besides, wind energy is not cost-effective. It’s a money pit for all taxpayers and just another Ponzi scheme to get rich quick. We here in Henderson need to learn what Cape Vincent has already gone through and to benefit from it. We do not need to go down the same path completely just to have me or someone else say “I told you so.” What this has already done for Cape Vincent is in changing the make-up of its local government.


Henderson tried to do this in its latest general elections to make a change and failed, but you can bet and take to the bank that those still in Henderson’s local government still have in their minds to either complete their agendas or business as usual. Only time will tell if I’m right or wrong.

Thomas Seifert

Henderson

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Brooklyn developer proposing wind farm in Denmark

  Link here to continue reading   Watertown Daily Times Brooklyn developer proposing wind farm in Denmark

HEARING ON MONDAY: Developer wants to put test tower on farm
By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011


DENMARK — A Brooklyn company is moving forward with plans to site a wind farm in the Lewis County town of Denmark.

“The project is in early stages of development and is not expected to be constructed and online until the end of 2014,” said a project overview provided by OwnEnergy Inc. project manager James Damon. “Through 2012, the company will further define the project footprint, determine the best route for a transmission feeder line and continue to work with community leaders to increase awareness of the project.”

An insulting defeat

An insulting defeat

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011


The anti-wind voters of Cape Vincent must be extremely proud. They voted an individual out of office who has served our community for the last 28 years as a justice of the peace because he had the nerve to think that wind turbines would be good for Cape Vincent.

Kurt Grant has done way too much for Cape Vincent to be insulted in this way.

Rick and Sheila Lawrence

Cape Vincent

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Cape Vincent anti-windies win

Effect? Dubious
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011
 Link here to continue reading --   From the Watertown Times

Anti-wind power forces came out on top in Cape Vincent after absentee ballots were counted, while the supervisor in Lyme hung on to win re-election in uncertified results.

Shortly after the Nov. 2 election, Cape Vincent Democratic Party Chairman Harold L. Wiley had all but conceded the party’s endorsed candidates for Town Council and supervisor — Marty T. Mason, Donald J. Mason and Harvey J. White, even with more than 500 eligible absentee ballots. But he still held out hope that 28-year incumbent town justice Kirk E. Grant, running on the Conservative line, would win re-election; Mr. Grant’s position on the bench had nothing to do with the wind power debate, Mr. Wiley reasoned. Mr. Grant was leading Republican Colleen M. Knuth, 565-369, before the absentee ballots were counted.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Clayton’s new turbine noise limit based on “invalid” sound test, acoustics expert says

  Link here to continue reading   Watertown Daily Times | Clayton’s new turbine noise limit based on “invalid” sound test, acoustics expert says

NOISE TEST: Acoustic engineer says council ‘really, as a body, don’t know what they’re doing’
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011


CLAYTON — The town board is set to approve a new turbine noise limit next month based on an “invalid” sound demonstration, according to the acoustics expert who performed the noise test.

Charles E. Ebbing, a retired acoustic engineer, said the Town Council had already made up their minds to set the new limit at 45 dBA, in accordance with the World Health Organization’s guidelines, and refused to hear anything else he had prepared for the noise test at the council’s request.

Orleans passes stricter zoning amendment on wind power

  Link here to continue reading -- Watertown Daily Times | Orleans passes stricter zoning amendment on wind power

By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011

LAFARGEVILLE — The Orleans Town Council passed a zoning law amendment on Thursday night to beef up its restrictions on wind turbines.

Compared to the town’s original zoning law on wind turbines, the new amendment decreases the allowed height of turbines from 500 feet to 400 feet. It establishes relative noise standards, as opposed to the absolute 50 decibels in the old law.

Lyme passes comprehensive plan to limit towers as a hurdle for wind power

  Link here to continue reading  Watertown Daily Times Lyme passes comprehensive plan to limit towers as a hurdle for wind power
Restrictions eyed: Comprehensive proposal revisions reflect survey results
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011


CHAUMONT — Revisions to the proposed Lyme comprehensive plan allow for the Town Council to either outlaw wind turbines in the town or place strict rules on their placement.

The council got its first look at the revisions, which were supposed to reflect the results of the town’s recent survey of residents on wind restrictions, during the council’s meeting on Wednesday night.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dems limit damage after paperwork mishap

 Link here to continue reading   Watertown Daily Times | Dems limit damage after paperwork mishap

Cape Vincent a liberal void: Paperwork error months ago kept candidates off some ballots Tuesday

By BRIAN AMARAL
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011


Democrats in Jefferson County say they have escaped relatively unscathed after a paperwork error in August kept their party’s line off the ballot in Clayton, Cape Vincent and Wilna, forcing them to wage more difficult write-in campaigns.

“If you want to place a bet, I’d have to bet that all four of my candidates won,” said Patrick W. Youngs, the Democratic chairman in Clayton.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Hirschey defeats White in Cape Vincent; victory for anti-wind group

 Link here to continue reading  Watertown Daily Times | Hirschey defeats White in Cape Vincent; victory for anti-wind group

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011


CAPE VINCENT — Town supervisor Urban C. Hirschey defeated challenger Harvey J. White, who ran on the Conservative line, 518-388 Tuesday in what appeared to be a victorious night for Cape Vincent’s anti-wind group.

In the race for Town Council, Wind Power Ethics Group member Clifford J. Schneider, with 471, led the pack in a tight race. Incumbent and wind lease holder Marty T. Mason received 453 votes, just ahead of Republican WPEG member John L. Byrne, with 448 votes. Incumbent Donald J. Mason, also a wind-power advocate, polled 423.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Cape Vincent to keep levy increase under state tax cap

  Link here to continue reading   Watertown Daily Times | Cape Vincent to keep levy increase under state tax cap

By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2011


CAPE VINCENT — The town of Cape Vincent, which voted last month to override the state’s tax cap, will keep its tax levy increase under 2 percent next year after all.

Under Cape Vincent’s preliminary 2012 budget, the town will keep the tax rate steady at $1 per $1,000 of assessed value and increase the tax levy by 1 percent, from $217,000 to $219,289.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Tug Hill property tax hikes have exceeded cap amount

  Link here to continue reading  Watertown Daily Times Tug Hill property tax hikes have exceeded cap amount

By STEVE VIRKLER
TIMES STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011

Property taxes in the Tug Hill region over the past decade have, on average, increased well over 2 percent per year, according to a recent study conducted by the Tug Hill Commission.

The study, titled “Property Taxes in the Tug Hill Region,” found that from 1998 to 2008, property tax levies increased annually at averages of $491,741 (1.6 percent) for counties, $133,317 (2.3 percent) for school districts, $19,346 (4.7 percent) for towns and $8,206 (3.6 percent) for villages. However, they did not necessarily rise each year or at a steady rate.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Vote to ‘save the Cape’

Vote to ‘save the Cape’

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011

Vote for Urban Hirschey, John Byrne and Clif Schneider for Cape Vincent town board. Urban has done a superb job in the last two years as supervisor and should be re-elected.

Like Urban, John and Clif are also men of integrity, intellect, knowledge, experience, love of Cape Vincent and sensitivity to other opinions.

The people of Cape Vincent can no longer tolerate the stubborn refusal of present board members to acknowledge the huge downside of saturating the town with 420-foot industrial wind turbines. The fact that these board members hold contracts with the wind developers and have pushed the project forward at every opportunity should say enough for anybody.

Please help “save the Cape” and use the most powerful weapon we have to do so, vote on Tuesday.


David Docteur

Cape Vincent

Bertram, Young and Demick in Hammond

 Link here to continue reading    Watertown Daily Times | Bertram, Young and Demick in Hammond

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011


I have come to know Howard Demick and Merritt Young quite well over the last couple of years. As they are both running for town board in Hammond, I would like to encourage voters to support them on Tuesday. Both of these local citizens have demonstrated that they have the best interests of our town at heart, a town in which they have lived and raised their children. Both look forward to helping to build Hammond’s future.

I have attended most of the town board meetings since 2009 and later the Wind Advisory Committee meetings. Howard and Merritt have been in attendance at nearly every meeting, Merritt having served on the advisory committee as a dedicated, educated participant. Howard is a former town justice, who remains active in community service. Through their willingness to attend board meetings, they have become very familiar with town government and the many issues that face our small community. I am confident that both will serve our town well, supporting Supervisor Ron Bertram and treating all of our citizens with fair-mindedness and transparency.

McQueer Files Suit Against Hammond Town Council

  Link here to continue reading   The Journal | McQueer Files Suit Against Hammond Town Council

By JIMMY LAWTON
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011


HAMMOND - Just days before the election, Democratic candidate for town supervisor Michele W. McQueer has filed an Article 78 petition against the Town Council.

The suit states that the town's recently enacted Wind Energy Facilities law is arbitrary, capricious, unconstitutional, discriminatory, unreasonable and violates Article IX of the state constitution, according to documents obtained through St. Lawrence County Court.

Lyme seasonal residents’ contributions ignored

 Lyme seasonal residents’ contributions ignored
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011


The issue of wind turbines in the town of Lyme is stirring emotions and straining logic. In one example, Scott Aubertine, a town supervisor, recently published a blog saying he represents only year-round residents and not seasonal residents, and will ignore the results of the second wind survey. All property owners (year-round and seasonal) were sent a wind survey; the results again showed a town against wind turbines.

He might reconsider his views based on the following:

■ Taking the stance of ignoring the wind survey results goes against his earlier statement that he will abide by its results. The results, no matter how analyzed, show a town against turbines. Whatever happened to “one man, one vote”?

■ We seasonal residents enjoy none of the benefits of the Lyme public school and only a few months of the roads, fire, police, library and other services that year-round residents do, yet we pay just as much in taxes as do year-round residents. Whatever happened to “one man, one vote”?


■ Mr. Aubertine might ask local contractors, landscapers, banks, grocery stores and businesses if seasonal residents support their work, income and families. He might ask what percentage of donations to the Chaumont and Three-Mile Bay Fire Departments, the Chaumont library and charities come from seasonal residents, and whether seasonal residents matter to them.

■ Mr. Aubertine might consider real estate values that will be ruined by destroying the scenic views of Chaumont Bay and resultant reduced real estate tax revenues.

Samuel J. Watson

Alexandria, Va.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Vote Republican for Cape Vincent’s future

Vote Republican for Cape Vincent’s future
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011


There are not many times when a local election can be called the most important since a town was founded. Nevertheless, this aptly describes the importance of this year’s election in the town of Cape Vincent. What is at stake is Cape Vincent’s future and, fortunately for voters, the choices are clearly defined this year.

One future, endorsed by Conservative Party candidates for supervisor and council, proposes two wind projects totaling 135 turbines, which when combined with the Wolfe Island Wind Project would represent the largest commercial wind complex east of the Mississippi River — even larger than Maple Ridge.

The other future, supported by Republican candidates, would follow the “Joint Comprehensive Plan for the Village and Town of Cape Vincent 2003.” The plan represents the foundation for our zoning law and provides a guide to future growth and community development. Cape Vincent’s plan prescribes maintaining the Cape’s “small-town quality of life.” It advises to “further develop the tourism industry.” The plan also dictates what not to do: “discourage the location of towers, prisons or utility facilities where their impact would have a negative impact on scenic vistas and tourism assets.”

The Republican Party of Cape Vincent not only asks for your vote on Tuesday, but also your support for their efforts to work toward the future represented in our village and town’s comprehensive plan. By voting the Republican line on the ballot, you can also be assured that all our candidates have no contracts with commercial wind developers, no conflicts of interest and will serve all the residents of Cape Vincent. Republican candidates John Byrne, Clif Schneider, Colleen Knuth, Pam Youngs and Harry Landers all strongly endorse the spirit of this letter and want to thank you for your support and your vote.


Urban Hirschey

Cape Vincent

The writer is Cape Vincent supervisor.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Point Salubrious family accuses Lyme councilman of wasting tax money pursuing dead airport project

  Link here to continue reading    Watertown Daily Times Point Salubrious family accuses Lyme councilman of wasting tax money pursuing dead airport project
‘PHANTOM’ AIRPORT: Family says Johnson, denied hunting access, revived issue at public expense
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011


CHAUMONT — A Lyme town councilman who recently accused a Point Salubrious couple of marketing a “phantom airport” is wasting taxpayer money to further his personal vendetta against the Borden-Cox family, according to family members.

“Why is a town board member with a personal agenda spending tax money and legal fees to pursue an issue that was put to bed 13 years ago?” said William Borden, son of Georgia Borden Cox, who was accused by her neighbor and town Councilman Warren A. Johnson of advertising a nonexistent airport to pilots on the Internet.

Lyme official suspects backdoor marketing of Point Salubrious airport

  Link here to continue reading   Watertown Daily Times Lyme official suspects backdoor marketing of Point Salubrious airport
airpark flap: Neighbors worry about Internet info saying airport open
By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011


CHAUMONT — A Lyme town official suspects that a Point Salubrious couple is secretly marketing their “phantom airport” on the Internet, some 12 years after they were forced to withdraw their proposal to build the field.

Councilman Warren A. Johnson, Point Salubrious, said that information regarding the airstrip at 10986 County Route 125 is “all over the Internet” — including Google Maps, Yellow Pages and several airport information sites — and that the Town Council believes Georgia Borden Cox and her husband, Robert O., are advertising their airstrip to area pilots.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Elect White, Mason and Mason to council

  Elect White, Mason and Mason to council
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011


What if the Web had existed when our Founding Fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence and talk of it was nothing more than ranting on a blog? Would the signers of this document have been patriots or cowards hiding behind the cloak of anonymity? Would the 13 colonies have united behind the likes of “CapeFear,” Pater, ReAliasso, citizenofcv, aviary, pandora’sboxofrocks or jefferson’sLeaningLeft?

The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were patriots because, even though they knew that affixing their signatures to this Declaration was tantamount to signing their own death warrants, they signed it.

Stand up for what you believe and quit being a coward. Lack of courage speaks directly of one’s moral fiber and integrity as a human being. If you feel you must say it, sign it. If you cannot, don’t put it out there for publication.

When posting on the blogs, be cautious of that which you choose to air and whose lives and families you are intent on destroying. Headline dated Aug. 12, 2010, in the Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pa.: “Judge Orders Identities of Commenters Be Revealed!”


Anonymous bloggers, beware as you may not be as anonymous as you think.

Could your identity be revealed in the same manner? Should the anonymous commenter be concerned? Perhaps, but who would want your identify revealed and for what purpose?

The Republican candidates who won the recent primary election must be very grateful to the blogs and WPEG.

Had it not been for these groups working closely together, the lives of the other candidates and their families could not have been more maliciously and purposely destroyed.

Is this apparent lack of integrity of their supporters a direct reflection of the integrity of the Republican candidates themselves?

Harvey White, Donald Mason and Marty Mason are well aware of what our local blogs are capable of.

Over the past several years, they and their families have endured an onslaught of personal attacks which can best be categorized as vicious and vulgar. Visit the blogs referenced above, and you will see what is really going on in Cape Vincent.

Please vote Election Day. Vote Conservative for Harvey White, supervisor of the town of Cape Vincent, and re-elect Marty Mason and Donald Mason town councilmen.

Gary J. King

Cape Vincent

Vote Conservative for benefits of wind power

  Vote Conservative for benefits of wind power
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011


Wind farms don’t just benefit the landowners, but have the potential to bring tax revenues, new funding for our school and new jobs to the town of Cape Vincent. If you don’t believe this information, get in contact with the town supervisors from the following towns before making a decision on who you are voting for in the town of Cape Vincent election for supervisor and town councilmen.

Town of Sheldon, Wyoming County, 112mw, 75 turbines, completely eliminated town property taxes. Town of Ellenburg, Clinton County, 81mw, 54 turbines, payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement pays $486,000 per year to the town, school district and county. Town of Cohocton, Steuben County, 125mw, 50 turbines in operation since 2008, has reduced town taxes by 32 percent; and the town of Eagle, Wyoming County, 105mw, 67 turbines, provides $1 million annually to the town budget.

If you, as a Cape Vincent citizen are interested in receiving some of these economic benefits for our town, vote the Conservative line in the election Nov. 8.

Elaine Mason