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Haines represents District 2, which includes Kingston and Genoa, and already had addressed Kingston trustees. The wind project under discussion would include portions of Milan, Afton, Clinton and Shabbona townships.
"All the tough decisions are when there's no right or wrong answer," Haines said. "There will be good people on both sides of the issue."
After a rescheduled public haring, the county board may vote on the issue in April.
"I've gotten e-mails from homeowners who don't want this (windmill development) to happen. And I probably wouldn't want to look out the window and see them either," Haines said. "Also, the county portion of the revenue is only 12 percent - $230,000. The biggest benefit is to school districts, because the land use changes from agricultural to industrial."
Farmers with wind turbines on their property are paid annually for the duration of the project, which could be for decades.
Haines said some people have told him they like the windmills, saying in effect, "They look really cool."
Haines said he has not yet decided how he will vote, and wants to hear from more people in his district.
"If this was for the public good it would be different, but this is to benefit the (company) shareholders, and some people's quality of life will change a lot."
He said some of the negatives of the wind turbines can include noise, potential effect on property values and a "fluttering" of light, caused by interaction of sun and wind turbine blades. However, he said the company would guarantee property values for anyone within three-quarters of a mile from a wind turbine.
He said the turbines might also affect radio and TV reception.
Haines also discussed landfill concerns and a proposal the county board is expected to vote on in March.
"The county has a landfill south of the tollway, at Gurler and Somonauk (roads)," he said. "We could find a new dump, or we could pay to truck (waste) out of the county, which would cost more, or we could increase the size of the current dump."
"The last option was the recommendation of the Solid Waste Management Committee, and it would keep our fees low."
Part of that solution, however, would mean accepting solid waste from outside the county because Waste Management makes more money on outside waste.
"That could bring into the county about $2 million a year, and it could help pay for a new jail. We could build a new jail with garbage," Haines said. "Waste Management said we have a dumper's dream - 90 feet of clay (as a liner for the dump)."
Haines said his strong interest in recycling has him leaning in the direction of a landfill expansion. He said methane gas emitted from the expanded landfill could be used later for fuel.
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