Dec 24 - Brian Amaral Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Ethics charges continue to fly, a sign that the Nov. 8 election did not close the rift between the two sides of the wind-power debate.
The group Citizens for Fair Government, some of whose members want to see wind power developed in town, are accusing their opponents of illegal and unethical tactics to help throw the Nov. 8 election to opponents of wind-power projects -- after being accused themselves of similar unethical and illegal maneuvers. They have mailed complaints to about half a dozen local officials and the state attorney general, who forwarded the complaint to the state Board of Elections.
Link here to continue reading watertown times article
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wind turbine placement should take migrating birds into consideration, ornithologist says
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By David Figura/The Post-Standard
November 08, 2009
Bill Evans wants to make it clear he’s not against wind turbines.
“I’m not anti-wind. I’m a consultant who people call from both sides when there’s a concern about the impact on migrating birds,” he said.
Evans, 50, is an Ithaca-based ornithologist who has studied bird migration in North America for more than 25 years. He helped start the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s research into avian night flight calls in the mid-1990s and in 1998 founded the non-profit group Old Bird Inc. The group promotes education and awareness of the nocturnal migration of birds and the use of technology to prevent bird collisions with tall, man-made structures.
Link here to continue reading
Check out the Old Bird Web site at www.oldbird.org
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
STATE AG REQUESTS TOWNS ETHICS CODE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011
Watertown Times staff writer
There are a couple of issues in the Watertown Time’s article, concerning Cape Vincent and ethics, which need clarification.
Excerpts: From WDT story
In Cape Vincent, those who don’t want wind-power development in town have accused certain Town Council members of being conflicted pawns of the alternative energy industry with whom they hold leases.
Those who support wind power, on the other hand, complained when the anti-wind-power town supervisor, Urban C. Hirschey, leaked confidential documents to an anti-wind-power group.While both matters were referred to the attorney general’s office — during the tenure of Andrew M. Cuomo, who is now governor — neither seemed to have a state-mandated resolution in the offing.
That’s because such matters are resolved more easily at the local level — as long as the town has a well-defined and enforceable ethics code.
Clarification:
No, there does not seem to be a state mandated resolution in the offing.
However, the complaints about conflicted officials had enough merit for the AG to launch an investigation into the matter, August 13, 2010.
Additionally, there has been no formal announcement of a conclusion to their investigation.
I have posted a letter from the AG at the end of this post, announcing this investigation and requesting documents and records for their investigation.
On the other hand, the Accusations, made by Acciona and their lease holders, (including Board members, Mason & Mason, January 13, 2011 ~ (after Cuomo was elected Governor) , against Supervisor Urban Hirschey ,were put to rest by the AG’s office, under the reign of Eric Schneiderman .
Below is a letter from Town Attorney Mark Gebo to Supervisor Urban Hirschey concerning this matter .
Link here to read the FOIL request for the Documents in question
Link here to
Watertown Times article ~ State won't pursue official
Below is the letter RE: AG investigation into Supervisor Hirschey's Misconduct
Below is the letter from Attorney Generals office announcing their investigation
Watertown Times staff writer
CAPE VINCENT - Towns in New York could be in for an ethical revamping.
About time, those on both sides of Cape Vincent's wind fight say.
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman is requesting the state's 932 towns to send his office their codes of ethics, a major point of contention in towns like Cape Vincent, where wind-power development is debated. The attorney general's office, which has received numerous complaints over the years about supposed ethically questionable conduct among members of both sides of Cape Vincent's wind-power debate, is pressing towns to become more self reliant on ethical questions that are under, or should be under, the purview of local board of ethics and strong ethics codes. Continue reading via this link to the Watertown Times
There are a couple of issues in the Watertown Time’s article, concerning Cape Vincent and ethics, which need clarification.
Excerpts: From WDT story
In Cape Vincent, those who don’t want wind-power development in town have accused certain Town Council members of being conflicted pawns of the alternative energy industry with whom they hold leases.
Those who support wind power, on the other hand, complained when the anti-wind-power town supervisor, Urban C. Hirschey, leaked confidential documents to an anti-wind-power group.While both matters were referred to the attorney general’s office — during the tenure of Andrew M. Cuomo, who is now governor — neither seemed to have a state-mandated resolution in the offing.
That’s because such matters are resolved more easily at the local level — as long as the town has a well-defined and enforceable ethics code.
Clarification:
No, there does not seem to be a state mandated resolution in the offing.
However, the complaints about conflicted officials had enough merit for the AG to launch an investigation into the matter, August 13, 2010.
Additionally, there has been no formal announcement of a conclusion to their investigation.
I have posted a letter from the AG at the end of this post, announcing this investigation and requesting documents and records for their investigation.
On the other hand, the Accusations, made by Acciona and their lease holders, (including Board members, Mason & Mason, January 13, 2011 ~ (after Cuomo was elected Governor) , against Supervisor Urban Hirschey ,were put to rest by the AG’s office, under the reign of Eric Schneiderman .
Below is a letter from Town Attorney Mark Gebo to Supervisor Urban Hirschey concerning this matter .
Link here to read the FOIL request for the Documents in question
Link here to
Watertown Times article ~ State won't pursue official
Below is the letter RE: AG investigation into Supervisor Hirschey's Misconduct
Below is the letter from Attorney Generals office announcing their investigation
Frank Liparula ~ Personal Turbine Application/ permit
Tax map ID &Property tax data for land that Mr. Lipurula received a personal turbine permit for
Mr. Liparula's personal turbine permit application below
Mr. Liparula's personal turbine permit application below
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Robert Shimp ~ Personal Turbine Application/ permit
Property ID and Tax data for property that Robert Shimp's personal turbine permit was granted for
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Mr. Shimp's Turbine permit application below
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Mr. Shimp's Turbine permit application below
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Hammond Officials Prepare For Lawsuit
Link here to continue reading--The Journal Hammond Officials Prepare For Lawsuit
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011
HAMMOND - Town officials have ordered attorney Joseph Russell to defend against a lawsuit filed by residents opposing the town's Wind Energy Facilities Law.
The Article 78 action was filed by group of Hammond residents including Michele and Daniel McQueer, Steven Demick, William Hadlock and Crayton Buck.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011
HAMMOND - Town officials have ordered attorney Joseph Russell to defend against a lawsuit filed by residents opposing the town's Wind Energy Facilities Law.
The Article 78 action was filed by group of Hammond residents including Michele and Daniel McQueer, Steven Demick, William Hadlock and Crayton Buck.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Watertown Daily Times | NY23 update: Finance and wind
Link here to continue reading--Watertown Daily Times NY23 update: Finance and wind
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011
Times staff writers Marc Heller in Washington, D.C. and Nancy Madsen here in Watertown had some interesting pieces this morning relating to the race between Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, and Republican Matt Doheny.
The race for the 23rd, which will take place in November 2012, will be a closely watched contest. Here's what we're watching right now:
Finance
Mr. Owens's campaign had to file some apologetic paperwork after it realized that its campaign finance disclosures in 2009 were in error, Marc reported.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011
Times staff writers Marc Heller in Washington, D.C. and Nancy Madsen here in Watertown had some interesting pieces this morning relating to the race between Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, and Republican Matt Doheny.
The race for the 23rd, which will take place in November 2012, will be a closely watched contest. Here's what we're watching right now:
Finance
Mr. Owens's campaign had to file some apologetic paperwork after it realized that its campaign finance disclosures in 2009 were in error, Marc reported.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Edsall Personal Turbine application / Permit
Tax map ID &Property tax data for land that Edsall received a personal turbine permit for
Edsall's personal turbine Application below
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.
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.
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.
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
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.”
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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