Wind votes

Wind power proved a key issue in recent local elections, especially in the towns of Cape Vincent and Hammond.

In Cape Vincent, Urban C. Hirschey won his challenge for town supervisor, defeating incumbent Thomas K. Rienbeck, 634-614 after absentee ballots were counted. Mr. Hirschey favors stronger regulation of wind power than the town has pursued to date and seeks a law that will spread out the turbines. As supervisor, Mr. Rienbeck has backed the town's two proposed wind farm projects.

In Hammond, a slate of Republican challengers opposed to the Town Council's wind ordinance law prevailed over Democratic incumbents who supported it. Ronald W. Bertram defeated Supervisor Janie G. Hollister, who had served for 18 years, and two other political newcomers won council seats.

The victors in both towns ran on a platform of change. They stood against the implementation of wind power projects in their present form. They seek more discussion and regulation. Yet the election results should not be interpreted as a decision against wind power per se, but a vote for moderation and finding a middle ground.

The successful challengers in Hammond ran on a platform of more openness and responsiveness to citizens there. The willingness to answer citizens' questions and provide information about such crucial projects as wind farms is highly prized anywhere.

Citizens in Ellisburg and Henderson recently arose to protest a developer's plan to run a transmission line from the Galloo Island Wind Farm through prime agricultural land in southern Jefferson County. About 50 people spoke at a hearing — all against the project.

In many cases, initial plans to force acceptance of wind power projects with little discussion or regulation must be reconsidered and revised.

Zoning laws for these projects must take noise levels into consideration, possible health effects, safety factors and visual impacts. Environment, agriculture, recreation and tourism figure into the discussion in some cases.

In a sense, the votes that turned on wind power issues endorsed a middle-of-the-road, working approach to potential development. Public discussion among community members is necessary. Communication between town officials and residents is key.

Compromise will be essential in towns where wind power is proposed and debated. Those who were elected to lead must search for a course that will best satisfy the interests of all.

That won't be easy. Democracy never is.