I like to believe that I have maintained an objective, knowledgeable and fair outlook on the proposed “wind farm project” that has consumed my time, e-mail and telephone. To that end I want to take a moment to share with you my viewpoints (as a member of the Plan Commission and a County Council person) in regards to the pending project and wind energy ordinance that will regulate the turbines placement upon approval of the County Commissioners. 

The most important thing that people need to remember is that the wind energy ordinance that is currently being drafted includes the entire county – NOT just three townships (Washington, Cleveland and Jefferson).  This means as a Plan Commission member I include in my thought process ALL of Whitley County, not just the participants (those individuals who have signed a lease agreement with Wind Capitol Group) or the non-participants (individuals who are currently in the potential proposed project area that have not signed a lease agreement).  Whitley County has a population of 33,392 (2010) and has an average population density of 98 people per square mile (2009). This is an important statement because our population density per square mile is significantly higher than other Counties that house nearby wind farms which are regularly cited in debates over the issue. The first being White County with an average of 46 people per square mile and Benton County with an average of 21 people per square mile.  The participants regularly site these Counties as examples because their wind projects are working well for these Counties for varying reasons.  Another difference between these counties and ours would be their location and existing economic development.  It can’t be argued that the monies that are funneled into these smaller counties are significant however Whitley County is not Benton or White County.

Participants state that we are missing a terrific opportunity and that we NEED this project to survive. Whitley County can survive without a wind farm. Primarily because our existing economic positioning:  Whitley County is made up of a business corridor that has developed over the years due to the foresight of past and current County Commissioners and Councilman as well the Economic Board of Directors and past and current Presidents.  Whitley County will continue to take a progressive approach to economic development, for instance creating and supporting one of the largest Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts in the State of Indiana.  We are also less than 20 miles from both Fort Wayne, the 2nd largest city in Indiana, and Warsaw, the orthopedics capital of the world. This is another substantial difference between Whitley County and White/Benton Counties that warrants our attention.

The information above matters because a significant objective by many throughout this process is to capture the monies that the wind farm will generate.  I know that the wind farm project would cause a financial gain to every taxpayer.  My concerns here include the fact that the wind energy projects are subsidized by the taxpayer (on a federal level) and that the Wind Capital’s representative told me directly that they would request a $10 Million dollar tax abatement from the County Council in order to be able to resell the energy generated at a competitive rate.  These statements have led me to believe that the wind industry relies too heavily on the taxpayer’s wallet and not enough on their own production profit.  There are arguments that wind energy is an expensive but viable energy however it is my opinion that a better renewable energy will be harnessed at a more economical and less intrusive means in the future.

At our last meeting the Plan Commission voted and a 1,500 set-back from a non-participants property line was approved by majority vote.  I have been told by several lease holders that the 1,500 foot setback “kills” the project.  In White County a wind farm developer used a 1,500 setback on their own even though it was not required within their wind energy ordinance.  My question is if Horizon Wind Energy can meet this regulation, then why can’t Wind Capital Group?

The 1,500 foot setback is important in order to reduce the impact to the non-participants. We, the government, should never set policy based on one project but must remember that the policy being set is also for any wind energy project anywhere in the County.  If a company came in and said that it couldn’t maintain a safe pollution level should we modify our regulations that allow for an unsafe level? No. The regulations the Plan Commission set are designed to maintain a safe environment for all taxpayers and it has nothing to do with whether you’re a farmer or engineer.  It is non-discriminatory and unbiased as it should be.

Finally the most important factor in my mind are property rights. What should people expect that live in rural areas?  I believe that an individual should have the right to do with their land what they choose as long as it doesn’t impede a neighboring land owner.  Setbacks protect non-participants but also allow the participants the ability to construct the turbines on their land.  It is unfortunate if they need more land in order to construct a viable project with the approved 1,500 foot setback but that is the guideline that the majority of the Plan Commission voted on. 

Paula Reimers
Whitley County Plan Commission
Whitley County Council

We do not understand why the following was not in the article in the Columbia City paper February 1st in regards to wind energy.
        The $2 million Economic Development Package
        $1 million to Whitko
        12 to 16 miles of roads @ $40,000 a mile
        Assessed valuation $400 million would drop property tax 5 to 14%
        County employees wages would go up
        Benefits churches, 4-H and on and on…
The newspaper article had an error $1.6 million to Walt Trier which is incorrect, it is $1.6 million to the 600+ plus participants.
A 50 year contract – what are we going to leave the next generation? No rights, higher taxes and no future.
With the wind energy the positives it will bring to the County far outweigh the negatives.  It is a no brainer!
If all the other Counties are OK with 1000 feet setback why isn’t Whitley County?
 
Concerned about the future of Whitley County
Becky Curless & Jamie Percy    

Soon the Whitley County Plan Commission will propose a Wind Ordinance to the County Commissioners.  There are indications that it will require a 1500 foot setback from non-participating property lines.  If that recommendation is approved and the ordinance is approved by the Commissioners, no wind power project will build in Whitley County.  In fact, the Wind Capital group will drop the project.
How can the citizens of Whitley County find this acceptable?  A typical 150MW wind project requires a $300,000,000 investment, will pay landowners $1,600,000 annually, will pay about $1,100,000 in property taxes annually, reduce taxes for the participating townships, increase funding of $1,500,000 to Whitko and Whitley County Schools, and provide discretionary funds to the County Council, Commissioners and the Economic Development Corporation.
Our economy is in shambles, and we are turning a deaf ear to a project that works and has great benefits for Whitley County citizens.  Many areas would give their eye teeth to be considered for a project of this scope.  Why are a vocal minority so obstinate and selfish?  They insinuate many problems with dubious research studies.  If you really want to know what a wind farm is like, don’t listen to the minority.  Go to a wind farm and listen to those who have real experience.  Real world experience is much better than the opinions generated by the fear mongers. I predict you will find the positives far outweigh the negatives, by a large margin.
Let’s get on with progress.  We won’t have this kind of opportunity ever again.  Voice your support for wind power by contacting the members of the Whitley County Plan Commission and/or the Whitley County Commissioners.  Do it now before the February 15 meeting.

A native of Whitley County, landowner, and retired Economic Development Director,
Galen Eberhart

If you value the services of solid waste management districts in Indiana, the districts ask that you call your Senators TODAY, and continue until January 31, 2012. Call 1-800-382-9467 by Monday January 30th to tell all Senators to oppose Senate Bill (SB) 210. SB 210 is Senator Beverly Gard’s legislation which proposes to eliminate the taxing authority of solid waste management districts. Professionals, business owners, council representatives, mayors, town councilors, county commissioners, county councilors are especially needed to call their Senators to ask them to vote NO on the bill.

The bill states that the funding of the districts would be shifted to counties. However, the reality is—sending funding (both property tax and user fees) to the county does not in any way ensure that that money will find its way back to solid waste, recycling, household hazardous waste, emergency management, education or other programming. With county budget shortfalls, it is likely that those funds will be absorbed in other county priorities. Therefore, the bill is detrimental for all solid waste districts currently funded through property taxes and user fees. The requirement of “minimum standards” for services comes will little detail and even less teeth to enforce it, leaving constituents and communities without much needed and expected services. Another critical element in the bill is that if the funding is sent to the counties, it completely leaves out input from cities and towns and that is so critical in programming.

In the committee hearing, it was misstated that solid waste districts have not been evaluated for 22 years. The fact is that the legislature has evaluated solid waste districts regularly, updating and revising the statute and evaluating the value of the districts. There is no truth to the fact that there hasn’t been significant oversight throughout the 22 year life of solid waste districts by local elected officials, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and the state legislature.
 
Districts ask that each and every business, each mayor, town councilor, county commissioner, and county councilor get on the phone with or meet with your Senator by Monday before the full Senate vote. It is also important that others who have a lot to lose, be it teachers who utilize district education assistance, MS4 communities, and residents who value district programs contact their Senator to vote NO on SB 210. Citizens need to call 1-800-382-9467 and ask their Senators: “What are you doing to our solid waste programs?! Are you going to trash Indiana?”  To locate your Senator, visit: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/. For more information on the bill, contact your local solid waste management district.   

Jorell Tucker
Whitley County Solid Waste  

As was announced in an article on the Talk of the Town, Passages recently received a $100,000 commitment from the Whitley County Community Foundation.   The funds from the Community Foundation, as stated in the paper, will be used toward remodeling the Lehmberg medical building.   When completed, it will be the Passages’ Creative Learning Center.    The Creative Learning Center will allow Passages to better serve our clients and to offer services that are currently unavailable.
For 57 years – since 1954 – Passages has been an integral part of the Whitley County community.   During these years many things have changed; yet what remains constant is the basic mission of Passages and our commitment to this County and to people and families affected by a disability. 
The commitment of the Whitley County Community Foundation to Passages means a great deal to Passages.  Besides being financially important, the commitment of the Community Foundation is also a statement of belief and support for our work.   We are also fully cognizant that the monies under the stewardship of the Foundation come from the good people from this community.   
On behalf of the individuals and families we serve, the Board of Directors and staff, I want to thank the Community Foundation, and thus the citizens from this area, for your belief in the mission of Passages.  

Sincerely,
Passages, Inc.
Thomas J. O’Neill
President & CEO

The staff and board of Churubusco Child Care Center

Whitley County Junior Achievement

Tammy Wolfe

L. Capeta

Pat & Bill Heinbaugh

Julie Copeland