Wind-law skeptics win races in Hammond

HAMMOND — Hammond's election Tuesday became a referendum on commercial wind projects as a slate of Republicans who questioned the Town Council's proposed wind ordinance defeated an 18-year veteran Democratic town supervisor and a Democratic town councilman.

Republican Ronald W. Bertram, a Hammond native who owned Bright Raven Farms for 30 years and now co-owns ACE Contractors, defeated Supervisor Janie G. Hollister 302-251.

Fellow Republicans Douglas E. Delosh, a career educator and current dean of students at Hammond Central School, and Dr. James R. Tague, a Hammond resident and Alexandria Bay dentist, defeated incumbent Democratic Town Councilman Ronald E. Tulley II and Independent Pieter A. Visscher, who both had supported the town's wind energy law.

The three new council members will join current town councilors James Langtry and James Pitcher, both of whom have indicated a desire to get the wind law passed as is.

Mr. Langtry has pushed for the wind law's acceptance at board meetings and Mr. Pitcher has recused himself from wind energy issues, having signed a contract to host turbines on his farm.

The Republican candidates told voters it was time for a change, criticizing town officials for refusing to provide agendas to citizens, refusing to provide copies of the draft wind law and refusing to provide copies of the tentative budget.

They also argued that the Republican slate would consider questions that had been raised about the wind law.

For many, Tuesday night was the fulfillment of a campaign that they feel was a long time coming.

"This was a hard fought election that took a lot of time and dedication on behalf of many people," said Republican Party Chairwoman Erica Demick. "We had exceptional, qualified candidates that are determined to bring change and new vision to our community and I am excited for Hammond."

"It was a historic day for this town," said Hammond resident Shayne L. Marsaw on Wednesday. "What a night. I know it's only Hammond, New York, but sometimes change for the sake of change is necessary."

Mr. Marsaw said he has been more and more frustrated at Hammond Town Board meetings.

"I think the biggest thing for me is getting answers to my questions. So many people ask me questions, I'm a postal service worker here and I'm at all the meetings," Mr. Marsaw said, "But, we don't get answers from the current board — about wind, about anything. This is a big relief. Monday's meeting should be interesting. It'll be huge to see some reactions."

Another Hammond resident elated about the GOP victory was Brooke Stark, though she pointed out that the "flip-flop" of the board was not exactly from pro-wind to anti-wind.

"It's a flip-flop in that what was once a town board that wasn't open to discussion has morphed into a new board whose agenda is to open up the lines of communication with the people they represent," Mrs. Stark said. "But the new board is not, per-se, anti-wind development. They want to hear and examine both sides — they're not here to block wind development from ever happening in Hammond."

Mrs. Stark says the present board brought the opposition upon themselves.

"They really have done a lot," she said. "But I think they got complacent and were not interested in educating the community about something they'd already made up their minds about. They wanted the wind law to go forward and that was that. People got fed up with that, and every time we felt that our voices were being shut down, it provided more impetus to get active."