We are afraid of BP's wrath? Are they serious? Have they noticed how BP has ruined our entire Gulf coastline and waters?

At the last working meeting on wind, the Lyme Town Council passed a resolution to redo the wind survey with a citizen's committee to determine the questions. The council had agreed at that meeting that this was too important an issue to decide amongst themselves.

Now, the town council (with the exception of Boo Harris) believes the survey about wind power should have only one question asking if you favor it or if you favor it. Yes, you read that correctly. They are giving the town taxpayers the "choice" to either have turbines or to have turbines. They are not going to ask people if they are in favor of turbines in Lyme or not. They are only going to ask if you favor a restrictive law or a less restrictive law. Scott Aubertine proposed this at a "work session" where public input was not allowed. Boo Harris wanted to rephrase the question as either in favor of wind turbines or not in favor and was rebuffed. She told the council that they really didn't want to know what their constituents wanted if they didn't ask that question. The vote was three to one in favor of this survey. Scott Aubertine, Warren Johnson, and Don Bourquin all voted in favor and Boo Harris voted against. Unfortunately, Mike Countryman was not in attendance (Mike had favored a referendum to the people but felt a survey would suffice).

Scott Aubertine's lame reason for this change was that he was afraid that exclusionary zoning laws would be challenged. Most zoning laws ARE exclusionary. That is the point of zoning laws! Incidentally, if the survey showed the majority of the public wanted exclusionary zoning, that would be sufficient to stay any lawsuits.

This is not the democratic way. Hiding behind fears that BP might sue them if they decide to have an exclusionary zoning law, they are forcing turbines in our town and industrializing this beautiful small town without regard for public opinion. Zoning laws are put in place to benefit the health and well-being of all citizens and not to favor a specific company or group.

We are afraid of BP's wrath? Are they serious? Have they noticed how BP has ruined our entire Gulf coastline and waters?

I urge the town council to reconsider their decision and ask the town's taxpayers if they want turbines in their town, yes or no. If they favor the turbines, then ask a question about a more or less restrictive law. If not, then an exclusionary zoning law should be enacted.

Stand up and be counted by attending our next town meeting on July 14 at the Lyme Municipal Building and let them know how angry you are.

Scott Discount

Three Mile Bay