SCIDA's arrogance 'breathtaking'

I arrived at the conversation on wind energy via attending a local Board of Education meeting where the Stueben County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) was informing the Naples BOE of a proposed PILOT. The SCIDA chairman, James Sherron and the representative of the Wind Project, Rick Towner displayed an arrogance was as breathtaking as it was puzzling. Why would these men appear before a School Board asking for financial relief and yet be so rude and condescending? I decided to do a little research.

In a letter dated March 28, 2007 the New York State Comptrollers Office informed SCIDA that they had 90 days to respond to the Comptroller's audit and file their plan of remediation in 90 days. A copy of this plan was to be available in SCIDA's office in Bath, New York for the Public's perusal.

On January 21, 2008 I attended a hearing in Atlanta, New York where the SCIDA board was supposed to take comments from the public concerning the Dutch Hill Wind Project. James Sherron and one other board member were on hand. Neither took any notes during the 90 minute meeting where a number of very astute and eloquent people had their say.

At the close of the meeting, I asked the woman who sat at the table and was apparently the recording secretary when the minutes of this meeting would be available. She said, "Oh, I'm not the secretary, I 'm a friend of the town clerk who has a dentist appointment today."

Mr. Sherron, then said the minutes would be available before the SCIDA board vote on the PILOT for Dutch Hill on Thursday January 24, 2008. They were not available nor was SCIDA's response to the audit.

And then this letter Mr Kuhl:

"Mr Kuhl,

I attended the SCIDA board meeting last Thursday January 24th and was shocked by the presence of ARMED GUARDS posted on either side of the entrance to the meeting vet, retired teacher of 29 years with service to the Ambulance and Fire corps I demand that you look into this abominable situation where petty politics and politicians play a dirty game on the most sacred of grounds in America... an OPEN and FREE meeting. Posting ARMED GUARDS is the move of Fear Mongers who thrive on threat and guile where reason and candor should prevail. The PROCESS created to develop Wind Energy in our area is fraught with deceit and deception, leading the fearful ones to engage in patronizing and dismissive behavior...i.e.. ARMED GUARDS at a public meeting.

Good Lord, if have we sunk so low that ARMED GUARDS are the answer then pray tell, what is question? I respectfully await your reply."

Thank you for attention.
Respectfully,
Jim Barbour
Naples