Better Plan, Wisconsin

Those of us who want safe setbacks from industrial wind turbines are used to being called names by wind developers. It's to be expected. They are salesmen trying to make money, and the way to make that money is to build as many wind turbines as possible, placing them as close as 1000 feet from our homes whether we want them there or not. When we question this, it's understandable that they would try to shut us down in any way they can. After all, that's just business as usual, right?

But when an elected official does this to members of his own community who have gone to him with serious complaints about the trouble they are having living amid the wind turbines, it's much more than just business as usual. Click here to watch Milwaukee News anchor Ted Perry speak out about local officials in Byron, Wisconsin who have turned their backs on the troubles the wind turbines have brought to the people in their community.

Below is the transcript of what Milwaukee anchorman Ted Perry had to say on May 7 during the channel six evening news: (To watch the story on wind turbines he was commenting on, click here)

"I learned a few thing researching our story on wind turbines. Lesson one, few people are actually against them but many people are against the irresponsible placement of wind turbines, and there's a big difference.

Lesson two, a lot of bad blood could have been and should have been prevented. you see the state required more wind energy but left a lot specifics of placement up to local government. And after talking to a few of those officials, I had a better sense of the frustration land owners like Larry Wunsch feel. Larry moved to the country years before this project began and told developers he didn't want turbines on his land and felt townships officials didn't listen to his group when they listed their concerns. Now he's surrounded by them.

One of those elected officials told me off camera that the complainers are 'implants' and not old stand-by people-- his words. Really?

Larry's a fire- fighter, an occupation that requires a solid stand-by personality, don't you think? He's also lived in the township for 15 years.

Another town official refused and on-camera interview after saying he'd do one but insists he'd vote for them again. I went to his house. You cannot see or hear the wind turbines from his place it's worth noticing.

Madison needs to give the Public Service Commission what it asks for. The ability to step in to hear the complaints of those people who have been left twisting in the wind of a multi-million dollar movement.

 
And this, an editorial from today's Fond Du Lac Reporter from a Byron Resident living near turbines. It's in response to a letter from a Mr. Gary Trew that ran on May 8th. (Click here to read it at the source)

 LOUD WIND TURBINES DO NOT BELONG NEAR HOMES 

by Sandy Vercauteren
Byron, Wisconsin

Mr. Trew, I am not an engineer so I cannot comment on topics 1 through 4, but I am a health-care professional and a homeowner who lives in the wind factory, and would like to correct topic No. 5.

Wind turbines are noisy a lot of the time — very noisy.

There are two sounds, a motor drone and an intermittent whooshing sound. The noise is constant, loud and penetrating. This noise penetrates my house; especially my bedroom at night, when it is at its loudest because of the cool air at ground level. This noise is with my windows closed. Disturbing your sleep, yes; good for your health, no.

Your comment that this is a noise crickets can drown out is wrong. The sound from the turbines drowns out the noise of the crickets. It's obvious you have not experienced turbine noise in your bedroom.

I challenge your definition of wind opponents. Most of us have lived in our homes many years, myself over 30 years. We are small business owners, health-care workers and firefighters. We go to church, work every day, and pay taxes. You rue the loss of prime farmland to McMansions. Who is selling them the land? What about the 25 miles of prime farmland paved as access roads to the turbines?

Your comment that we have "not-in-my-backyard attitudes" makes me wonder if this happened to your parents' or children's homes, would you be so vociferous about other people's complaints, or would you tell your family members to just "suck it up."

Maybe you need to listen closer. We don't say we are against wind power, but these turbines do not belong near homes; making people suffer consequences of flicker, noise and flashing lights, that affect the "salability" of their homes, their retirement, their life investments, their peace of mind or their health.

I hope the other facts presented in your letter have more credibility than those concerning noise. I feel the wind factory is an example of big business pushing its agendas without ethical considerations.

Sandy Vercauteren is a Byron resident.

 Wind energy and eminent domain