Cuomo should address Cape's wind ethics

The citizens of Cape Vincent should be enraged by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's lack of immediate attention to the unethical actions of the current town officials. The Watertown Daily Times already pointed out that these few officials are making decisions that will negatively impact not only the citizens of Cape Vincent but the entire upstate region. More importantly, they are doing it with conflicts of interest that have been widely publicized and repeatedly reported directly to the AG's office by e-mail and, at the online Public Integrity complaint site. Also, in June, a member of the AG's staff visited the area and was provided significant evidence of the blatant ethical conflicts during a face-to-face meeting and still no word from the AG. What's up?

One might question that since the root of the problem is industrial wind, clearly favored by President Obama, is it the AG's intent to let this unpopular issue simmer on the back burner for fear it might affect his current obvious good favor with the president? If so, shame on him. Cape Vincent citizens have the right to a swift response and resolution on this important issue.

I have repeatedly stated publicly and on the record that the arrogance, ignorance, greed and failure to exercise precaution by these few officials have brought Cape Vincent to a position where the health and wellness of its citizens and wildlife are at risk for potential harm. I recently spoke to an Albany newspaper reporter who, loosely quoted, said this was just small-town corruption that is expected, and which we are all used to. In other words, not worth investigating or reporting. This is not something we should either expect and certainly not get used to. If the AG allows this ethics issue to slide, what else is being ignored?

The upcoming town elections may result in a much-needed and long-overdue governance change for Cape Vincent. However, this issue requires attention from Albany and quickly. If Mr. Cuomo decides to run for governor and if he wants our votes, let him earn them by showing the upstate citizens that they are equally as important as the other regions he is sworn to protect. And do it now before Cape Vincent becomes collateral damage in the aftermath of the impending implementation of industrial wind that will effectively change it from a quaint small town to an industrial park and cause irreparable damage to the environment of the entire region.

Theresa Ciocci

Cape Vincent