Published: November 10, 2009 04:09 pm      

Windmill saga: Turbine debate still brewing in Tazewell

Tazewell County residents are polarized on the windmill issue. Some are in favor of the wind turbines while some are adamantly opposed.

Bluefield, Va., Mayor Don Harris reported that a large number of local residents have made it clear that they will be attending the scheduled Dec. 1 hearing to either protest or support the issue. The majority of the local residents appear to be opposed to the erection of wind turbines along East River Mountain, especially those who live within sight of the mountain.

Mayor Harris said the issue is hot. Some are questioning who the real players are in the wind turbine proposal.

Several people have environmental and aesthetic concerns. Some just have questions and have not taken a position. Others want the jobs for the area, tax revenue, and security of having a nearby power supply.

Apparently the newly elected members of the Tazewell Board of Supervisors have ducked the issue and have taken to the high ground. This paper quoted John Absher as stating, “I've had a lot of people to question me on that and ask if I'm for them or against them. But I really need to know how much energy they can produce, and if we are going to benefit from that energy. There is a lot of questions to ask.”

James T. “Jim” Campbell Jr. told the Daily Telegraph that he is working to educate himself on a variety of issues in Tazewell County. All that sounded good, but the voters of Tazewell County should have had a clear indication of the position these gentlemen were taking before the election and these men should have been studying and forming opinions on the issues before the election and making their positions known.

Will Rogers had politicians pegged — “Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to vote on some man; we never get to vote on what he is to do.” The wind turbine issue is divisive enough that it should be decided by the people and not by politicians. Will the wind turbines prove to be beneficial or will they be a nuisance? There are many other ridges and mountains nearby.

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The proposed relocation of a portion of Hockman Pike near “the Duck Pond” in Bluefield Va., is closer to becoming a reality. The total project will cost approximately $4,726,000, according to estimates provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The town's share of the funding is $750,000 and will be paid over a period of several years. The proposed 0.52 mile project is to be constructed from a point on Route 720 bisecting the Richwood Golf Club and rejoining with the old road near the Mayflower restaurant. The new road will eliminate roadway flooding problems and replace the deteriorated bridge. Construction is scheduled to commence next July.

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Many people from the area turned out to greet the tourist train last Saturday. The warm weather and clear skies framed a perfect day for the event. Many of us have not seen that many people in downtown Bluefield for over a quarter century. It was reminiscent of the glory days of the downtown area.

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Several people have commented on the excellent job Mercer County Sheriff Don Meadows is doing. According to one report, Meadows is becoming personally involved in keeping Mercer County clean and neat. In addition to tending to his other duties he is spending some of his time in the field investigating and serving papers or calling upon people who are likely responsible for some of the illegal dump sites and trash piles found around the county.

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Bluefield City Manager Andy Merriman, Bea Paine, and board member Mike Vinciguerra have a meeting scheduled with Kitty Saddler of the USDA West Virginia Rural Development to explore the possibility of securing a grant to help with the restoration of the Ridge Runner at Lotito Park.

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There you have it, a few comments on items of interest to the area. I hope that the rains from Hurricane Ida do not blow this way and that you may have another blue sky to enjoy today.

Wilson Butt, a resident of Bluefield, is a retired Department of Highways official.