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| 6/9/2010 6:00:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Letters to the Editor for the week of June 9, 2010
HAS XCEL MADE THEIR CASE?
To the Editor:
Nobody wants the CAPX2020 in their backyard, especially in Goodhue County where many property owners have smaller plots of land, such as mine, which is 20 acres. The 345 kV transmission line with their single shaft steel poles demanding 150 feet right-of-way, spaced 700 to 1000 feet apart, will be an eye sore, magnified when compared to the size of my parcel. What will that do to property values, not to mention aesthetics? We've seen reports that the electricity moving through the wires impacts a farmer's GPS system and my neighbor's pacemaker. There are reports of getting shocked if you touch your metal shed. What will it do to electric fences, computers, internet and cell phone service? Not to mention the horses next door, my friend's organic farm, or her several decade-old sledding hill and reflecting spot that will have electric wires singing overhead.
The bottom-line is that Xcel Energy has not made its case that the power line is needed. Instead, many factors point the other way. Things have changed since Xcel did its forecasting in 2004-05. There are claims of growing needs in Rochester, of demand for the Elk Run development. There is claim of the need to expand to assure reliability, and the rural folks can take the headache for the more populated areas, but has Xcel made their case?
According to Rochester Public Utilities' annual report, demand peaked in 2006 and has fallen since. The same is true of Xcel, our largest utility. As to the reality of Elk Run: "A lot of people outside that group [the Elk Run developers] are watching right now because the project has been in the planning phases for so long that many say they won't believe the project is real until they see a building." (Rochester Post Bulletin 4/27/10). Part of the land is in foreclosure. If there is not increasing need and use, then guess whose rates will go up? You got it -you and me.
So...if we aren't in a big hurry, can we do a better job of planning. I attended the Pine Island information meeting May 5. An astute citizen suggested that we do a better job of planning for the future. Minnesota doesn't have an energy plan. Xcel, those behind the train that will run between the Twin Cities and Rochester, and those developing wind energy should all get together and do some joint planning so that energy and development targets the area where it's needed, and the locals don't get bothered about right of way issues for the different many projects one at a time. "Can't we coordinate these developments for the future?" I thought that was a great idea.
My advice is that CAPX2020 be put on hold until there is a better job of planning for the energy and transportation needs of the future. Last week, CapX 2020 asked for a delay of the Brookings line, which is connected to the Hampton-Alma line through our county. This delay is a signal to pause, to plan. Let's not carve up Goodhue County yet.
Therese Zink
Zumbrota
DON'T CLOSE PINE TOTS SCHOOL
To the Editor:
As the parents of children who have attended Community Education Pine Tots Preschool in the past, present, and would have in the future, we are deeply disappointed by the announcement to close Pine Tots effective at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
Pine Tots Preschool has been in operation for 33 years, providing an education to our young children and preparing them to enter kindergarten. Mrs. Susan Thompson has taught entire families. Norma Hedlund has been the assistant teacher for over 17 years. These two teachers have educated over a thousand of our children, many of whom are now adults with children of their own. They have not only started our children with the tools to allow them to develop their skills in reading, writing and arithmetic, but also in art and music. They have provided a fun and educational learning environment where our children have flourished.
The decision to close Pine Tots was made without discussion with any of the parents or community and without any warning. In fact, many parents had already registered their children for the 2011 school year. We now find ourselves trying to explain to young children why Mrs. Thompson and Norma Hedlund won't be their teachers next year.
Many families moved to Pine Island because of the school system and the excellent education provided for our children. We understand that Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) has also been in place for many years and provides a valuable contribution to the Pine Island Community. However, by closing Pine Tots Preschool you have taken away the choice for families. Are we going to make our children commute to Zumbrota-Mazeppa or Rochester School Districts?
We urge the Pine Island School District School Board to reconsider their decision to close Pine Tots and to look for alternatives to keep it open. It has been a part of Pine Island for decades. Don't let it die.
Pine Tots parents
(Names on file at the News-Record office)
WIND DEVELOPER'S PLAYBOOK MAKES INTERESTING READING
To the Editor:
I just came across an interesting website entitled, "The Wisconsin Developer's Playbook-A Study of Wind Energy Development in WI," prepared in 2004: http://betterplan.square space.com:80/the-wind-developers-play-book/
Of particular interest are the policy recommendations on pages 42-50. On page 47, Part 1, Section A, there are even instructions regarding what wind developers should wear when they speak to rural communities. This playbook also instructs how to "cultivate a local champion." This playbook may be a few years old, but National Wind has Wayne Gadient as their "local champion," and he did NOT show up at my house in a suit. There are also specific sections that stress wind developers should speak quietly with prospective landowners about wind development before announcing it to the public. Does any of this ring a bell-a big bell-in our county? The playbook also tells about staying ahead of the opposition. Now who are the "good guys"?
Please take time to call or write your Goodhue County Board of Commissioners and find out who they trust and represent-the State of Minnesota, the wind developers, or the people of Goodhue County who live here and pay taxes to the County? The Board of Commissioners will be making critical decisions on wind development in Goodhue County over the next couple of weeks. Your input to the board is needed now. Please don't be one of those people who later says, I should have, could have. You can make a difference!
Barbara A. Stussy
Zumbrota
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