Where Is The REAL Opposition to Article X - Where Is The Backbone???

I noted a letter in the WDT by Cape Vincent resident and CV ZBA Board member Hester Chase about Article X and that we should weigh in on this issue with the NYPSC.  I won't post the entire letter here since you've probably seen it already on the other blogs or in the paper, but here is the last paragraph.  I guess we never learn!!!

“Given that the regulations say “the needs of or costs to ratepayers “ outweigh the local laws of the host community, the decision of the board becomes a political decision to proceed with a power plant or not. Making new local zoning laws may help us, but it is imperative that we all weigh in now and try to protect what we can.”

I understand the thrust of Hester’s message and generally agree, however I would disagree with the method on which we should “weigh in”.  What did catch my eye was the phrase   “…that we all weigh in now and try to protect what we can.”

If we really are serious we can weigh in and really protect what we have by prohibiting turbines in CV and set an example for the region, and getting rid of a zoning lawyer who says he is not willing to protect our scenic resources.  Setback zoning laws don’t  “help” since that is an appeasement to Article X, not opposition, especially when our CV Planning Board Chairman Dick MacSherry is running around saying our law will go to BP and if they can develop a wind project then good luck.  That is not protection that is tacit agreement with the entire Article X wind fiasco, and is it absurd.

But on another level I have written hundreds of letters in this wind battle.  To the PSC, the DEC, two governors several times, two NYAG’s several times, our local DA, my US senators, numerous local and national media outlets, and even some to the Canadian govt in opposition to the Wolfe Is. Wind Farm and many others, even though my better judgment tells me that approach is futile, and that has proven correct in this battle.  This time I am not writing anything.  Every few weeks somebody is begging us to write another letter to some official who doesn’t really give a damn anyhow.  So where has it gotten us?  After 7 years we are still under direct threat of the industrial wind disaster and it doesn’t let up. It has gotten us NOWHERE!  It’s time to wake up.  The system is rigged for the corporate interests and does not work for YOU.

You have a State and a Governor that is rabid pro wind. So much so he passed a law to take away your home rule rights. Big wind lobby money is being dumped into his pockets right along with our state and federal representatives.  Do you really think your letter is going to make a difference in this system?  Write as many as you want but it is pointless.  Well maybe if you can include several $100,000 checks along with your letters you might get some attention.

Now Ms. Chase says we should ALL weigh in.  OK fair enough. So where is a resolution from ALL on our CV town board outright opposing Article X?  Or like the County, opposing wind turbines in Lake Ontario. Turbines in the Lake could have a real detrimental effect on CV. So where is that opposition resolution. Those are the political things that could actually count.  Or isn’t our board interested in that approach?  It appears they would rather play footsie with Article X and Cuomo and not offend anybody. So why aren’t we raising hell with our town board, and the same goes for other towns, especially under the industrial wind threat.  Why aren’t they standing up and backing the people writing the letters opposed to A-10?  That is a damn relevant question!

Take a lesson. The first NYPA proposals for wind turbines in the Lake died because many counties and municipalities along the Lake stood up with resolutions to oppose that plan.  It sent a strong political message, because each resolution represents VOTES and politicians pay attention to VOTES.

Like when state reps Cahill and Russell came to Watertown with their Article X forum.  Many went to listen as if it might mean something.  What should have happened is they should have been shouted down from a protest crowd filling the auditorium and spilling out into the parking lot.  So what did we learn from that dog and pony show?  Virtually nothing. But we all behaved like good responsible citizens and played along by either attending, or watching on video as if it actually mattered.

And lastly we were told voting was going to be the panacea for the opposition forces. Well we voted out former NY Sen. Aubertine and instead of investigating him as he should, Cuomo appoints him to a state position and Patty Richie goes along.  Voting was supposed to solve our wind issues in CV too.  But here we are still shaking in fear of and appeasing Article X and  MacSherry telling BP they can develop a project if you follow our wind laws and good luck.

We need 3 things if we are serious and it ain’t letters. 

1. Our Town Board needs to immediately pass a strongly worded resolution opposing        Article X. Even better get local towns to pass a joint resolution in opposition.  Then mail it to Cuomo and every state rep. that voted for A-10.  Get the county on board as well.

2.  Join the County and do the same opposing wind turbines in Lake Ontario.

3. Pass a zoning law that prohibits industrial wind turbines in CV and stop playing this nonsense appeasement game with the State.

I love this logic.  We are in a big home rule and wind battle with the state, yet many are running around tthinking we should be taking the advice of  state officials like Russell and Cahill that we should write setback wind laws.  Somebody is kidding me right?????   Maybe we should have asked Bin Laden if he thought it was a good idea to invade his compound!!!

If you really want to write a letter, write it to our town board and ask them why the hell they aren’t doing these things right now if they are serious about protecting Cape Vincent from preemption of home rule and having wind shoved down our throat.  Better yet ask them in a town meeting face to face.