Proposed Wind Farm -Town of Gorham, Ontario Co

Submitted by GorhamNYresident on Sun, 03/04/2007 - 6:50pm
Aesthetics & Visual | Noise | Real Estate Values | Shadow Flicker

A law is on the table for our very rural town in the Finger Lakes region. The moratorium was extended another 90 days last week. I was the only one to speak to the town board re: concerns for size, set-back, and shadow flicker. No else spoke for or against except our local town officials who have nothing but nice things to say about them. It should also be noted that most of said officials live in the hamlet of Gorham or outside of the "preferred pink zone" on the wind speed map per windexplorer.com.

I have seen my fellow residents more vocal about junk cars and barking dogs than wind turbines. I would like to see them regulated and placed where our quality of life won't change. I don't even know if that is possible, as we have no vast expanses of wasteland in our town!

How can I get people motivated to take a stand and speak up? I am planning on writing a letter to the editor for our local paper. I have been told that once I stand UNDER one and see how nice and quiet they are, I will think they are a wonderful asset to the town. When I expressed concern about shadow flicker coming in my dining room windows, a long-time family friend told me I should take my horse for a longer ride or mow the lawn on the other side of the house so I won't see it!

As we are primarily ag in zoning, and the wind turbines have been demmed a viable source of income for farmers (NYS Farm Bureau among other has given the thumbs up), it will be an uphill battle. I am a farm girl through and through, believe me, we need all the sources of income we can get - but not at the cost of our scenery and health.

Is there anyone who can offer suggestions?

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Leaving flyers door-to-door

Submitted by EffieRover on Wed, 03/07/2007 - 4:39pm.

Leaving flyers door-to-door with health concerns printed on them will help. You'll need to be somewhat sensational to get your point across, but don't exaggerate. You won't have to. That's my first suggestion. After that, getting a citizens' group together should start happening.

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Well, if you own a horse,

Submitted by AnneBritton on Wed, 03/14/2007 - 10:42am.

Well, if you own a horse, the turbines will drive them crazy according to a resident in Canada living near a new wind farm. When you have a public hearing, you need to present evidence so that you may have grounds for filing an Article 78 when they issue permits or pass an incomplete DEIS...I am confident it will be incomplete because if it was complete, there wouldn't be any wind farms constructed. Feel free to give me a call later today or tomorrow...I won't be home till after 2 today. my phone number can be found on white pages or on http://we-oppose-windfarms.tripod.com And always remember, you are not alone. Tell these people that the noise comes from hundreds of feet in the air so it is more audible at 1000 feet than it is underneath it. It's logical...don't need to be a rocket scientist...off to the doc...good luck. Anne Britton (Brandon, NY)

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Anne, I tried to find your

Submitted by GorhamNYresident on Thu, 03/15/2007 - 9:02pm.

Anne, I tried to find your email or phone in the link you have noted. no luck. I do want to thank you, though, for your suggestions. My husband has visited nearly every neighbor in the "preferred wind zone" and most were shocked to learn that there was a proposed law. The Town has put only the itty bitty legal notices in the newspaper (as required by law). Seems they don't want alot of fanfare or publicity... My husband has spoken with several farmers in nearby Wyoming County, some who have already gone out of business, some who are having auctions in the next month, and some who are staying. They all say the same thing - turbines aren't all bad UNLESS YOU LIVE NEAR THEM. I have found that the fans of the wind farms refer to them as windMILLS, which conjures up images of chubby Dutch children in wooden shoes playing under them. How sad that misinformation and lack of information is being parlayed into general approval. My husband and I are fighting these with our time and words as we don't have alot of money. As for the turbines driving my horses crazy, now those are fighting words! thanks for the encouragement, Anne.

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GorhamNYresident, I live in

Submitted by Rick Bolton on Sun, 03/18/2007 - 9:01am.

GorhamNYresident,
I live in Middlesex Town, adjacent to Gorham Town near Canandaigua Lake and Bare Hill. I definitely do not like their idea of passing a wind farm law either since it will affect the entire region, just as projects in Cohocton and Prattsbugh will too. Having been deeply involved in numerous studies of wind farms I can categorically say they do not belong in Western NY towns. This is one of the biggest scams in a long time. The public is ignorant as are the town governments but there is a rising tide of opposition around the country and help is available.
I called Gorham Town to inquire about the status of the SEQR process for their new law. Since there's a moratorium then SEQR is suspended for the time being. There is a great deal that can be done, believe me and I'm glad someone else is astute and interested in preserving Gorham, and WNY. Please email me at barehill@aol.com and I can send you a lot of information.
Rick Bolton

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