Incompetence, disrespect rules Prattsburgh

Posted with the permission of The Naples Record, originally published Wednesday October 28, 2009

Town Board's action on mindmill moratorium illustrates dishonesty

To the editor:

The Prattsburgh Town Board will not be confused by the truth. Last month, the Italy Town Board recognized that it could no longer ignore the public outcry against the acceptance of a proposed wind incentive zone that would have allowed the Ecogen project to proceed. Opposition was so great that the Town Board was forced to concede the obvious: the presence of a large scale industrial wind energy facility will alter the existing quiet and scenic setting of the Town of Italy forever. They also noted that there is no reason to expect that the noise problems experienced in Cohocton will be any better in Italy.

At last week's Prattsburgh Town Board meeting Charles Shick made a motion, seconded by Steven Kula to begin the process to consider a six-month wind farm moratorium. In light of the events in Italy over the past few days, the threat of being sued by Ecogen seems to be off the table. A moratorium, therefore, offers solid upside with zero element of risk to Prattsburgh.

The motion was voted down, 3-2. Harold McConnell, backed by Stacey Bottom and Sharon Quigley, said he needed more time to "think about it." Pressed for what he needed to think about, Harold said that he supported wind turbines and didn't want to limit the Town's options - ignoring the fact that the town may not have any options if there is no moratorium to allow the town to make its own rules regarding wind projects.

Stacey, with complete disrespect for the wishes of the town's citizen, said that she didn't need to think about anything; her posture was that if Chuck and Steve were for a moratorium, as a matter of principal, she was against it.

What is the Town Board majority thinking?

Prattsburgh needs competent, honest people to deal with the issues of the twenty first century. Let's hope there is real change on November 3.

Angela Einwachter,
Cook School Road,
Prattsburgh