Respecting a local decision

To the editor:
    After recently reading many opinion articles in the Pioneer Times the past few weeks I find myself compelled to write about the windmill issue that seems to have many citizens in southern Aroostook County in an uproar. I will start off by saying that I believe the impacts will be positive and the potential downsides are being greatly exaggerated.
    When towns make decisions on policy shouldn’t it be up to the people of the town? Why are outsiders being allowed to interfere with a local town decision? The people of Oakfield have decided to allow First Wind to construct windmills in their town. Yet this has upset many landholders in the surrounding areas. The problem is, they do not live inside the town, therefore they should not be dictating town policy.
    Of course the argument could, and will be made that the view will be affected because these turbines will be seen from the lakes in Island Falls. They also make a case about the disturbances of wildlife. However I find both of these issues hard to believe. How terrible could this really be?
    Imagine the horror of a windmill rising over the hills of Oakfield. I have lived in this area all of my life and have spent a large amount of my time on Spaulding Lake in Oakfield, at my grandfather’s camp. Now with the construction of these windmills I too will have a clear view. But I, unlike many, don’t see what the big problem is. My grandfather’s camp will still be there as well as the neighbors’ camps. Also the trees across the lake will still be there. There will just be some windmills intermixed with the trees. Does this take away from the great beauty of nature? I don’t see it, I welcome change to the landscape especially if there is an economic benefit to go along with it.
    Which brings me to my next point, the money involved. The impact financially to the town will be huge, full-time resident households who receive the Homestead Exemption will receive $2,300 per year, over 20 years. Also, $14.3 million will put toward capital projects. For the people worried about First Wind going out of business, there is a decommissioning fund that would kick in if this were to happen.
    Today more then ever, lower taxes and an extra kick in from a large company will not hurt anyone. But of course it doesn’t help everyone either, and that is where the tensions lie. Some residents of local towns surrounding Oakfield seem to oppose these turbines. But I cannot help but wonder, what if they were in Oakfield’s place? Would they turn down millions of dollars that may help them build new roads and a new fire station? Of course not. Would the citizens rather protect their view and nature or receive a kick back from this project? See, it all depends on whose wallets are getting fat.
    That is a very sad thing, but sometimes the truth hurts and that most certainly is the truth. Many people on these lakes of Island Falls say that the windmills will affect the land and wildlife. Didn’t all of these people construct large homes on the lakes as well. Now I do not claim to be an environmental expert, however, I’m sure that home construction has an impact on wildlife as well. Land is lost, water supplies may be disturbed, and the land may be subjected to pollution.
    Residents also claim that the noise will disturb them. I’ve been skiing in Mars Hill many times and have stood next to the large turbines. What I hear is not some ear piercing shriek but a gentle swooshing sound. Also, what is the difference between construction of the turbines and construction of the interstate, or the railroad? Both disrupt nature yet have an economic upside. Living in the center of Oakfield I hear both the interstate and the railroad. Yet this has never caused me any problem — actually I don’t even notice the noise.
    The opposition makes the argument that tourism will be negatively impacted, killing our economy. I seriously doubt that a tourist zooming by on a snowsled or a hunter tracking a deer through the woods is going to be appalled to see wind turbines on the mountain. But even if they were, Aroostook County’s economy isn’t entirely based on tourism anyways. There are mills, factories, and of course the potato industry. We do not solely depend on tourism.
    It will be a very sad day when a local decision is influenced by outsiders who use this area as a playground. Under our Constitution the government is broken down into national, state and local government for a specific reason. It gives local towns such as Oakfield the ability to make decisions that will directly affect them, While the larger government focuses on the bigger issues. Thus I implore you to uphold a local decision that will benefit our small town.
Taylor Locke
Oakfield