Gary Kent wrote a very informative and interesting article about Orleans County’s attraction and charm (MJR 2/6/08). Having been a resident of the county for 46 years, I very much agree with Gary’s assessment.
Gary mentions his informal interviews with county residents when he was campaigning. It is interesting to note some of the reasons he discovered that people are moving into the county. He states that “A variety of things seem to account for significant numbers of new arrivals. Among the more frequently mentioned is the physical environment including open space ...” Gary also alludes to a bird expert who has studied in South Africa and Australia commenting on the great variety of birds in Orleans County. Gary also notes that many homes, commercial and government buildings have architectural as well as historic significance. This includes Greek Revival, cobblestone, Medina sandstone and Victorian homes. Examples of such architecture may be found in all the county’s villages. There are also distinctive, 19th century barns scattered throughout the county lending historic ambiance to the quiet country landscape. To quote Gary, “Orleans County is, in effect, a tranquil island in a sea of turmoil.”
So, do industrial wind turbines have a place in Orleans County?
From my observation of what has happened in the Tug Hill area of New York and other areas where industrial wind turbines have been installed I would say if that happened in Orleans County many of the virtues of the county including its description as “a tranquil island in a sea of turmoil,” would no longer be so.
The open space would be disrupted by 400-foot industrial wind turbines. About 80 industrial wind turbines are being considered for just the towns of Albion and Gaines. These alien looking turbines would greatly detract from the historical ambiance created by the unique historical architecture of this cobblestone country. The tranquility would be greatly reduced by the noise and flicker of these giant turbines. There is mounting research indicating environmental dangers. Some of these dangers range from destruction of birds and bats to increased lightning strikes, fires in the turbines, oil leaks, parts dropping, blades and ice being thrown in some cases over 1,500 feet and in a few cases the turbine tower collapsing. Also there is increasing evidence that people living within a zero to three mile radius of the gigantic turbines are experiencing health problems. Such health problems are categorized as VAD or Vibroacoustic Disease. VAD is caused by the low frequency infrasonic sound vibrations of the industrial wind turbines. Health problems seem to manifest in many ways. There have been effects reported in cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and renal functioning. Also there are reports from some areas hosting industrial wind turbines of children having difficulties in their schooling with a drop in performance. One family that abandoned their home near industrial wind turbines found that their health and their children’s school performance returned to normal after leaving the area.
So I encourage residents of Orleans County to seriously look into the mounting research on the effects of industrial wind turbines and voice their concerns. Be informed about what it might mean to have industrial wind turbines in our isle of tranquility.
Would people seek to live in Orleans County if its landscape was cluttered with industrial wind turbines with their potential for health and environmental dangers? For more information visit the Web sites wind-watch.org and windaction.org.
John Mosher lives in Albion.
Opinion
GUEST VIEW: Do industrial wind turbines have a place in Orleans County?
- Opinion
-
-
There are bobcats in our area
In recent years, local residents have had the chance to witness some interesting animals within our borders. Among those that generated the most press and most talk were the black bears that frequented the area for a couple of months. The beasts elicited either fear or appreciation, depending on one’s perception of bruins. More often than not, the former emotion ruled the day.
-
Governor needs to stay on point
Last week in the governor’s State of the State address, Cuomo said he’s taking on a new job. He’s going to be an advocate for the kids. In fact, Cuomo went so far as to say that he’s going to be the only advocate that kids have.
-
CONFER: A warning about the WARN Act
Entrepreneurship has always had its basis in the understanding and handling of the unknown. No business owner has ever known exactly what his customers want, what the markets hold, or what his competitors are doing. But, they’ve always had a good idea about what might happen and, from the theoretical standpoint, what should happen.
-
VALLEY: I'm amused by the little things
Am I the only one amused by the fact that few (if any) people have ever seen a woman in a dress like the ones in the fashion section of a newspaper? I’m talking about the illustrated apparel — designed by people with one name — that’s supposed to be what people will be wearing in the next fashion cycle.
-
Recognize our hometown heroes
If you haven’t driven through Holley this summer, you’ve missed quite a sight. The light posts and electrical poles throughout the village are adorned with Hometown Heroes banners. Each one recognizes someone from the village who is actively serving in the military. The attractive banners are 72 inches tall and about half as wide and each one is adorned with a large photo of the serviceman/woman along with his or her name and branch.
-
VALLEY: Inactive seniors and over-reacting juniors
Have you seen the commercial on television where the young gal who is at the age where she knows everything there is to know about life and the world says something to the effect that a recent study had shown that older people tend to live less of a social life than they did in the past?
-
VALLEY: The other side of a tragedy
In late June of 2010, I wrote a column about my friend, Dave Cook. Back then, Dave and his wife, Carol (and daughter, Chelsea) had been through a Hell-ish scare when a liaison with the U.S. Marine Corps had left a message about their son, Sgt. Trevor T. Cook. Trevor was serving in Afghanistan at the time.
-
CONFER: The real story behind your power bill
As long as the Public Service Commission allows a pending rate change from National Grid — and there’s no reason they wouldn’t — the electric company’s customers will see significant savings come Jan. 1. The bill for the typical household/apartment will be nearly $9.50 lower per month, while homeowners with families (who use more power) drop by almost $16. That’s $114 and $192 in extra spending money per year. Not too shabby.
-
VALLEY: Don't take offense to this
I was making a delivery last week in my Napa pick-up truck when I noticed another truck several car lengths ahead of me. At first, I thought that it, too, was a work truck, because I could see a large sign across the tailgate.
-
CONFER: N.Y. should tax public pensions
New York residents are excluded from paying state taxes on the first $20,000 of their retirement income from private pensions. If they happen to be former government workers, though, things are quite different: Local, state, federal and military retirees don’t pay any state tax at all on their publicly-provided pensions, whether it’s $20,000 or $80,000.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
