Quoting Commissioner Ley in “Wind Turbine Decision…,” your recent article stated: “Ley also emphasized that if people want to see the measure on the ballot, they need to sign the petition, regardless of their position, or the decision is made by Columbus.” Clarification of SB 52 is needed.
The resolution Commissioners Ley and Schmidt signed effectively bans development of industrial sized turbine projects in Crawford County. With no further action, the resolution takes effect around June 4th. To try to overturn the Commissioners’ resolution, Apex representatives have 30 days from the resolution to gather approximately 1200 signatures on a petition to put a referendum on the ballot. If required signatures are collected, there would then be a vote in November. IF pro-wind wins the vote, it would eventually go to Columbus when an application is filed with the OPSB. If pro-wind loses, the resolution would stand, and no turbines are built.
It doesn’t make sense for anyone against living in the middle of an industrial power plant to sign Apex’s petition. Apex and Friends are claiming it is unpatriotic and hypocritical to not sign their petition and to educate others why we shouldn’t. Remember, until the resolution was signed, Apex and Friends did not want anyone to have a vote or even KNOW about the project! They hid their plans for OUR county for years hoping to force their way in before we learned how the project would negatively affect our health, quality of life and home values, and deny the opposition any voice at all. When Apex asks for your signature, ask them why they didn’t ask you two years ago.
Dave Bishop
2343 Sandra Drive
Bucyrus, Ohio