Thanks to The News for its coverage in the Sept. 12 edition on the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency hearings regarding the payment-in-lieu-of- taxes proposal for wind developers.
The unethical behavior of industrial wind developers is evident throughout New York State. In Wyoming County, Horizon Wind Energy hired a former Perry town supervisor after she carefully crafted a pro-wind law. More disturbing, Machias recently appointed a Horizon lease holder as its code enforcement officer and constable. Such political hubris was after the board was informed he was a leaseholder, and yet the draft wind law relies on him to issue the turbine permits.
Despite the IDA’s attempts to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the negative consequences of industrial wind, the stench from conflicts of interest will linger in its nose.
The IDA should ignore political pressure from its handlers in the Cattaraugus County Legislature and not endorse industrial wind development in the county, since the IDA was created to stimulate economic development for industries that create permanent jobs and financially benefit the area. Industrial wind will do neither, and is actually contrary to the IDA mission.
Bradley L. Parker
Machias
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