To the Editor:

Most of us are aware of the recent allegations by the chairman of the North Country for a “Brighter” Future regarding certain members of the Hopkinton Town Board and the public who hope to pass a wind law that would protect the public and the environment from known and documented harms (see NCTW April 4-10)

Do not allow the false allegations or mudslinging against the honorable and fair board members Susan Wood and Kelly Pullano, concerned citizens and those who are working to protect the safety and integrity of the community, the county and the entire region.

The Wind Advisory Board volunteered a tremendous amount of time to achieve a fair wind law, originally recommending much greater and safer setbacks and lower sound levels. However, they compromised again when just one member of the advisory board, who may have a conflict of interest, changed their mind and demanded that the wind board lower the setback and sound recommendations significantly.

Unfortunately, such detestable behavior, whereby opponents make false accusations against proponents who support a just cause, has become far too common at voting time. It is regrettable that these same tactics have been used against the past PEF president, the last Democratic candidate for US President, among others.

Please don’t permit these abhorrent tactics to cast a shadow over the brave and honorable work that the Wind Advisory Board, the above mentioned town board members and many concerned citizens have done. Many have spent hundreds, even thousands, of hours working and researching to help keep our community safe. Still others have spent countless dollars of their own hard-earned money to enlighten and educate the public, even in the face of such slander.

The North Ridge Wind project is likely to be an economic liability for the town, county and the State of New York (for reasons including: property devaluation, our taxes and billions of dollars in state subsidies pay for construction of wind turbines, our energy bills increase, severe health effects and costs, environmental and other documented harms).

After the project expands (likely into Potsdam and points north and east) and front-loaded funds are received by the company, LLC’s typically sell to other LLC’s, and the paper corporations don’t follow through with the original agreements. And who will pay to dismantle the skyscrapers when they cease to function or become obsolete? Why would we allow a foreign corporation to suck the money from our community and pockets? What sense does that make? Especially when there are safer, more efficient turbines that are significantly more appealing produced here in NY State!

Some town board members have acted irresponsibly and have violated our Civil Rights per Article 11 of the NYS Constitution, which provides a statutory obligation that the town board must protect the health, safety and welfare of the people.

The Hopkinton Town Board must abide by the Constitution and Public Service Law, to represent the people, and the overwhelming majority of the people are in favor of the proposed wind law. The board must work together to pass the wind law to protect citizens and the pristine environment that sets the Adirondack border of our county apart from much of the state.

For further information, see the “Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions” at wiseenergy.org.

Pat Walzer

Parishville