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Health & Fitness

No Longer the Silent Majority

The May 21st election is more than a month behind us and there is a lingering question about what the defeat of Question 2 really means.

The question asked voters if they wanted to raise their property taxes to pay for the removal of the turbines. The ballot question was established by the Board of Selectmen based on the complaints of a few neighbors stating they are negatively impacted by the operation of the wind turbines. The ballot question was the culmination of three years of complaints, attempts at mitigation and compromise, meetings, and recommendations for the future of the turbines. The Board selected to pursue taking down the turbines but at a cost to Falmouth residents and businesses.

I campaigned against Question 2. I campaigned against question 2 because to raise property taxes on a project that does not cost the town any funds is not fiscally responsible. I campaigned against question 2 because my neighbors and my children do not need to be burdened with a tax that provides no benefit or service. I campaigned against question 2 because the turbine project went through an exhaustive study and approval process (three reports and seven town meeting votes over seven years is not rushed). I campaigned against question 2 because climate change is a real threat to our community and the turbine project is a vital step to begin making a difference. I campaigned against question 2 because I support and want the turbines to operate. I campaigned against question 2 because we did not get to vote on whether or not the turbines should operate. I campaigned against question 2 because there are other options to bring about a solution. I campaigned against question 2 because it was my right and the right thing to do.

Question 2 was worded as a debt exclusion but in its essence it was a referendum on keeping the turbines. After three years of issues and concerns over the operation of the turbines the Board of Selectmen moved forward a ballot question that could take down the turbines. And they did this in such a way as to not align themselves one way or the other but to look as though they were moving forward as stalwarts of the community and allowing the voters to decide. And the voters decided. But it leaves room for interpretation.

The affected neighbors would have you think that the vote was only about raising taxes now that the question failed. But they campaigned by telling people it was about the improper siting or, of course, healing our town. If that was the case, they should have pushed for an actual referendum on the turbines - an up or down vote. But being politically savvy themselves (or at least getting some help), they knew this could end their fight. The affected neighbors did not push for a referendum, not even close.

Question 2 received more votes than any other item on the May 21st ballot; 6001 voted NO and 2940 voted yes. More people came out for this local election than any other in many years. The selectmen did not give the voters the opportunity to vote for the operation of the turbines and I believe that many of those 6001 that voted NO, voted like me. It was not just a straight up or down vote, but many reasons to vote NO. The Selectmen wanted to know that there was community support and they got that in a resounding defeat of question 2. And there are more than that in our community that want the turbines to operate. And I am hearing from a lot of those people. Members of our community want options back on the table.

It is time for residents, business owners, and visitors to let the Board of Selectmen know that you want the turbines to stay in place and operate as intended. Our successful defeat of question 2 at the ballot was not loud enough for the Board of Selectmen to hear so we need to tell them clearly.  They will be meeting tonight at the Falmouth Public Library to begin discussions about the future of the wind turbines. Write to the Board of Selectmen at selectmen@falmouthmass.us and let them know that you want the turbines to operate as intended, to produce clean, local, renewable electricity at the WWTP, to generate revenue for our community. Don't assume that others will write and express your position - we all need to be heard by the Board of Selectmen.

Curtailed operation is costing our community. We need to speak up about the loss of revenue for needed projects in town. We need the Board of Selectmen to embrace the energy policies of the town. We need to combat the effects of climate change. We need to ensure a stable source of electricity at the wastewater treatment plant.

The dozen or so affected neighbors have held turbine operations hostage long enough with misinformation, self-reported complaints, and unsubstantiated claims of property value loss. If you want to get involved, sign on to the Friends of Falmouth Wind petition at www.tinyurl.com/cleanwind We are not faceless; we are your neighbors and friends and we are no longer the silent majority.

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