Read text of PEC wind live discussion
Administrator | Jan 20, 2012 | Comments 1
Read the content of the recent live, online discussion on next steps for Prince Edward County and wind energy on Nicole Kleinsteuber’s blog, Prince Edward County Voice. Log on to http://ejournalism.lcaat.ca/nicolekleinsteuber
Panelists included MPP Todd Smith, PEC Mayor Peter Mertens, Treat Hull, PEC Federation of Agriculture’s John Thompson, Kevin Surette, Manager of Communications WPD and and John Legate from the County Sustainability Group
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Controversy over wind farm developments in Prince Edward County has fueled countless discussions, debates, consultations and protests over the past decade.
County residents, environmental groups and government officials have shared project pros and cons. Community debates, letters, protests and law suits unfolded when wind developers like SkyPower Corp, Vision Quest Windelectric Inc, and Gilead Power applied for zoning permits to construct wind turbines.
Gilead Power has been planning to build nine wind turbines on Ostrander Point since 2006. The application is in its final stages of approval and Gilead hopes to start construction later this year.
Prince Edward County council is sending comments and concerns on the project to the Ministry of Environment’s environmental bill of rights registry.
Adverse health effects on humans and wildlife, environmental impacts, reduced property values, negative effects on the economy and tourism, insufficient energy production and noise levels are just some of the concerns in opposition.
Supporters of wind energy see opportunity to reduce their carbon foot print, fight back against global warming, create jobs, generate private income, reduce hydro bills, eliminate coal fired plants and ensure a healthier environment for future generations.
But where Prince Edward County stands on wind energy as a whole is still undecided and is not clear.
Nicole Kleinsteuber, of Prince Edward County Voice, invites the public to join a live, online discussion Wednesday Jan. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and to discuss how the community can open methods of communication, build bridges and most importantly, move forward. Log on to http://ejournalism.lcaat.ca/nicolekleinsteuber
Confirmed Panelists include MPP Todd Smith, PEC Mayor Peter Mertens, Treat Hull, PEC Federation of Agriculture’s John Thompson, Kevin Surette, Manager of Communications WPD and and John Legate from the County Sustainability Group
Prince Edward County Voice creator and reporter, Nicole Kleinsteuber is a third year journalism student at Loyalist College. She freelanced for County Weekly News, The Intelligencer, OJ 95.5 FM and Cool 100.1 FM. Presently Nicole works as a freelance reporter for Countylive.ca.
Filed Under: Local News
The Status Quo of Industrial Wind Turbines:
A Reflection from the Life of Sir John A. Macdonald
First, a suitably Greek inspired prologue (please take note of double entendre): I was heartened by the impetus of Nicole Kleinsteuber in her attempts to create common ground on an issue which has become extremely divisive and destructive to the community of Prince Edward County. I dare say that even those on the extremities of this issue realize this despite their courtship of ideological persuasion. Even in the fog of my aged, jaded and less vigorous perception, I was able to see the truly compassionate and genuinely concerned nature of her proposition for resolution. It is, after all, all too easy to arrogantly dismiss the propositions of youth as naivete. To you, Nicole, in respect and humility I doff my chapeau and extend the following prose as a meagre contribution.
I have spent much time and purposeful thought reflecting on this issue, seeking out a paradigm of virtue which might provide a framework for resolution. After an excursion to a local pub where I imbibed the fermented fruits of our County folks labour and engaged in humorous anecdotal exchanges regarding the possibility of the vermin coyote hordes consuming the infant offspring of our atypically beautiful County belles, I happened upon an inspiration in the exploits of our great country’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. As readers may know, he is being celebrated for his brief residence and activity in our Loyalist environs. It is historically referenced that as John A. Macdonald he first practised law in the courtrooms of Picton. It should be noted here, a reflection of Macdonald’s character, that he had not yet completed his “Articled” requirement due to the untimely death of his mentor, and as such was practising law, albeit with outstanding acuity, without credential.
To return to the matter at hand, I propose, in honour of Sir John A. Macdonald’s impetus which manifested in the creation of our nation, that we conspire to create a “Great ‘Wind’ Coalition”. This entity would be citizen comprised, indulgent of all political hues and ideological persuasion to examine in due consideration and validate all empirical regard to the Industrial Wind Turbine issue. A radical and perhaps it could be viewed as anarchist approach, but long overdue considering the inevitable cultural evolution of hierarchical political Aristocracy in any nation-state. Let us use this issue to truly become compatriots with a fair share of self determination and due regard for sins of our and others’ omissions. Let us rise up to this occasion with the same truly wonderful sincerity that you have demonstrated.