"The hallmark of the issue in each town has been the level of discord it has engendered." No that's not the hallmark of the issue. The hallmark of the issue is deception and dishonesty.
Clif Schneider asked a question of the people who attended the Cape's meet the candidates meeting the other night, "How did we go from protecting our rural landscape and tourism to proposing the largest industrial wind project east of the Mississippi River?" He said the reason was because officials ignored our comprehensive plan and our zoning law. He could have taken it one step further and asked, "Why and who ignored our plan?"
What is lost in much of the discussion is that for towns like Cape Vincent, that have a well thought out vision of their future, some officials buried those plans and ignored those plans because their conflicted vision of the future did not include industrial wind. What was lost was honesty in government, something no one wants to admit; something the Watertown Daily Times does not want to discuss.
If they dig up these documents then not only will they be digging up our comprehensive plan, but they will also be digging up the truth. For that we should all be indebted and it is something that should be covered as newsworthy. But it will not. The paper will continue to suggest this is just a battle over wind.
Anonymous
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Wind history Cape Vincent ~ April/7/2006
*County Planner Bourcy expressed concerns that a wind zoning law must be in accordance with the Town’s Comp Plan as per NY Town Law.
April 7, 2006: In a FAX to Supervisor Reinbeck and Planning Board Chair Edsall, County Planner Bourcy provided a number of comments and recommendations regarding the zoning amendment process.
The boards decision to regulate and also how they are regulating wind towers needs to be backed up with facts and not just public opinion.
Regarding the type of discussions within the zoning committee Bourcy notes, “I have not heard anyone on the Committee talk specifically that these impacts are mitigated by the proposed setbacks.
The discussion has always been who will or will not benefit depending on which setback is used.”
He further advised be careful using site plan review to guide wind development instead of adopting a zoning law.
He wrote , “An example is Rich’s (Edsall) statement that during site plan review the planning board would not allow towers close to the road. If that is true, then there should be a minimum setback in the law.”
when you identify a use as being allowed by a site plan , you have made a decision that the use itself is allowed in the district . The only concern is how it is placed on the parcel. The board would have to have an overwhelming reason to deny a site plan approval .
Bourcy was concerned about Edsall’s interest in circumventing the process of adopting a wind law. [Bourcy may be a source of notes regarding attendance and comments in these “secret” meetings of the the PB’s wind committee.
Cape Vincent Town Village ~ Comprehensive Plan 2003 link here
9 comments:
I think the entire problem comes to reading skills. Since those who still refuse to see their mistakes couldn;t read their contracts, they certainky wouldn't know how to read town zoning laws or any other laws regarding their decisions. That's why they paid so much money to a crooked lawyer to tell them they weren't really breaking any laws. Just "risking" getting caught.They knew that there was no one out there to actually enforce any laws regarding their behavior. So what they signed an ethics oath? They get paid from both ends. Everyone else has to go by the book to fight the mistakes that are created by those who don't. Without a town Board of Ethics this is all just hot air. Academic. You want to know why? Because before wind became an issue corruption ruled the towns. Insiders got what they wanted and only those who got screwed complained. Now everyone got screwed. Who really made out? The lawyers and the corporations.
They get their ( your) money either way. Pay your taxes and shut up. Just like you always do. Just like the rest of us have always been told to do. How does it feel now? I'm use to being screwed by the town. Nothing has changed for me. Nothing ever will. The scumbags have already won. They've been winning all along.
I overhead one heavy duty green shirt answer a question regarding conflicts by saying no one cares about conflicts, it's the way business has been done around here for years. If this view is pervasive then it's no wonder we are where we are.
Reading some interesting statistics; Slightly more than 30% of Cape Vincent residents completed High School. None completed a doctorate. Want to know how you get where you are? Reading the crime statistics is also interesting. Not bad for such a small town. Not exactly Sin City. .6% lesbian couples and not one gay man? Somebody isn't telling the truth. Who did the survey on that one? Sounds like Texas. They all act so tough, but the biggest complaint among women is there aren't many straight men around.The point is, just because all of a sudden there is a common consensus against corruption? All it comes down to is an argument against noise levels. If it weren't for that, there would be no arguments about ethics and corruption. As long as the Village People keep their property values and their beautiful landscape I doubt the scumbag factor would be unimportant. Right, Laura? This is an indictment against a history of complacency. Something the educated in society see as a luxury. The seasonals will save your sorry asses. The same way their taxes do every year. No gay men, you've got to be kidding.
The unwillingness of the Watertown Daily Times to point point an editorial finger at the corruption that is is embedded on the local area wind issue is appalling. It is a complete abdication of editorial responsibility
Of what or whom are they afraid?
Don't accuse someone of being gay unless you have firsthand experience.
According to the statistics report for Cape Vincent, 2/3 of the population didn't complete high school. There are no gay men in Cape Vincent. No one in Cape Vincent has been indicted on corruption charges or ethics violations. Cape Vincent is an ideal community where a foreign corporation has decided to settle into, and the community has taken them in with open arms. There is no dysfunction in Cape Vincent. Only a couple of lesbians who told the truth and became part of the .6% that have the courage to be honest.
Usually when someone gets defensive, it's for a reason. Even the corrupted are in denial. Why not.
Don't accuse someone of being illiterate unless you have firsthand experience.
No gay men in cape vincent?? that a laugh. There's at least as many gay men as there are conflicted town officials(well at least before John Wiley,Andy binsley,Joe Wood ,and Rich Edsall all stepped down).Not saying that any of these men are gay mind you,or even child abusers.
There's gay women in Cape Vincent? Damn, how come I'm always the last to find out about the good stuff!
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