Towns in the River Valley have long tried to attract new businesses to the area with little success.

In 2009, Dixfield was given a chance at a new industrial wind farm with 11 wind turbines from Patriot Renewables. The majority of voters and townspeople supported the plan and still support it.

The wind industry has been a source of clean energy for hundreds of years. It uses no fossil fuels, creates no waste, doesn’t pollute, and creates a very small footprint, so animals and humans can coexist in its proximity. There are thousands of wind farms around the world.

Due to stalling tactics by the Dixfield selectmen, the town still has no wind turbines. Four of the selectmen have repeatedly gone against the will of the people.

In a democracy, majority rules; not so in Dixfield.

Why are those four afraid of wind power? Are they afraid of stabilizing the town’s tax base and probably lowering the taxes? Now is their chance to be heroes to this town and rid townspeople of the negativity that surrounds the majority of the board of selectmen.

New businesses are needed in Dixfield. God bless the Irving Mill for all it does for the town, not only with taxes but all the in-kind goods and services that help the town. Patriot Renewables would be doing the same things for Dixfield.

It’s a win-win situation, and now is the time for the selectmen to step up, recognize that and stop fighting against it.

Jeff Knight, Dixfield

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