Letters

They stand out

By Al Pelletier

Nov 22, 2009 1:59 am

I simply can't wait for Saturday's Our View with its "cheers and jeers."

Cheers, cheers, cheers for the folks of Vinalhaven for having the foresight to recognize that self-help, versus waiting for someone else to do it, is critical in these tough times.

I have been to Vinalhaven many times when I lived in Rockland 30 years ago. I worked in a retail store and always looked forward to helping island folks when they stepped off the ferry. They were down-to-earth, always polite — just great Maine folks with a lot of common sense. Now, besides all those great Maine trademarks, they truly stand out in their quest for energy independence.

Not only do I think their wind turbines speak for their intelligence and tenacity, I think the turbines are kind of pretty, and as welcoming as a lighthouse.

From my house, I can see Streaked Mountain with its communication towers. They serve no purpose but to send signals. A few wind turbines generating electricity would make far greater use of the height of land and the available wind; plus, they're pretty.

Al Pelletier, Norway

Comments

I have realized what I think

Submitted by candiceanne on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 08:46.

I have realized what I think is a very interesting difference between those who object to wind turbines and those who do not or are in favor of them. In rading the many comments over the past few monthes many who do not object report having seen a single wind turbine in operation on up to very large wind farms. They all describe the experience as almost mystical or religious. Terms like majestic, spectacular, wonderous are used to describe what they saw and how they felt. Some of the comments have given me goosebumps. I must confess I have had the experience of seeing wind farms and being there was, moving is the best word I can come up with. Awe inspiring works too.

What I have notice about the anti-wind turbine folks is that none of them has taken the time or otherwise personally seen a single turbine or farm in operation. Without ever having seen for themselves though they call them ugly and eyesores and demand they will destroy the "view" and our way of life. If you have never personally seen a wind turbine in operation how can you make such a judgement?

The other big arguement from the anti-wind turbine camp is noise. But they have never stood next to a wind turbine or 100 feet from a turbine or 1 mile from a turbine, so how do they know what if any noise these things make. The truth of the matter is they don't. Everyone who has written in having actually been there, done that reports on the silence of them.

You just have to wonder what is up. What is really behind the objection, since it is obviously not based on first hand experience or fact? Are the forces behind the anti-wind turbine camapign affraid that Maine people might escape from under their thumb with the added jobs and taxes from these projects. Are they afraid to see Maine people enjoying some of the technology and other advances they enjoy? I can not say that I know the true motives of the anti-wind power groups but I can say I do not believe they have the best interest of Maine or Maine people at heart or even a minor motivator to their efforts.

Caution, you will bring the

Submitted by mad dad on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 06:21.

Caution, you will bring the wrath of the tree huggers upon you.

They do have a great

Submitted by queenhoneeybee on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 02:08.

They do have a great advantage as a better source for energy rather than non-renewable resources thats for sure. They are quite interesting to see. Its amazing how technology exists (even with its quirks) to improve health, effects on nature, energy independence... to think that we can use renewable resources for energy and we can only improve the technology itself-what a journey!