To the Editor:

Currently there is peaceful, but terrible battle being fought in a war that threatens our pristine and humble way of life in Parishville and Hopkinton. Avangrid/Iberdrola, a large company based in Spain, has begun an invasion of our small towns with their giant wind turbines. While they have more money and more experience fighting this type of battle, We, the People of Hopkinton and surrounding areas, have the stamina and guts to take on this giant and win.The proposed North Ridge Wind Farm is an adversary to our way of life and seeks to change our towns, our homes and our families forever. Twenty years ago I could never have imagined myself enjoying living the country life.

Raised in New Jersey, the thought of being half an hour from the nearest grocery store was a scary proposition. But after living in Hopkinton for the past 12 years and enjoying the peaceful rural life, I’ve seen that there is so much decency and humanity in this way of living that the city and suburbs could never supply. Hopkinton has been a wonderful town to raise our 12 children. We love our chickens, our neighbors, our small library and our peace and quiet.

To feel that this serene, humble and sane way of living is in danger is an understatement. If we allow these 500 ft. wind turbines to invade our town with their flickering lights, loud noise and annoying vibrations, life as we know it will be compromised forever. I am especially fearful for one of my sons with already diagnosed severe hearing loss. While one child’s learning may not mean a lot to a company like Avangrid/Iberdrola, it means everything to his family. And I believe my neighbors children and families mean everything to me. One thing I fear is that the people of our towns are not receiving adequate or unbiased information about the effects of the turbines on their health and on the overall fate of the town.

Some are being told that the health effects are made up. Some are being told that the town, not just individual lease holders, will receive a lot of money in return. Some believe the turbines will actually supply a significant amount of green energy. Some neighbors and board members are even being told that there is nothing We the People can do to stop them! Friends, this is America! The ragtag, backwoods Americans have fought bigger giants than AvantGrid/Iberdrola and have won!

We need everyone to get involved in this fight. Call or email our Town Boards and express your opinions. Come to the meetings. Do your own research to find out how the changes will effect your family and your neighbors. Push for our elected officials to stand up for their people.

Most of all do not retreat. Do not give up and think we can do nothing. If we all stand up for our way of life, we can not only win this battle, but we will win the war and keep our homes safe and our families comfortable and healthy.

Leslie Hickman

Hopkinton