Monday's Commissioner's Court meeting began as usual with public forum, but a lengthy, animated discussion with members of the gallery regarding action on a proposed county tax abatement for the Senate Wind Project lasted in excess of 90 minutes.

Jorene Guyton, a landowner with property located inside the proposed project, was the first to speak. She made an emotional appeal to court members to protect tourism, retail business, wildlife and real estate within Jack County pleading with them not to sign a tax abatement.

Guyton made comparisons between the existing Barton Chapel wind farm, also constructed by Gamesa, and the Senate project.

Commissioners addressed certain points made in her presentation, and court members engaged in a question-and answer session with all members of the gallery present to discuss the Senate project.

Ed Crawford, a local property owner who purchased his land with the hope of preserving it in its pristine state as a wildlife refuge, questioned the use of "noise studies," asking commissioners if any had been done or any information shared with the court.

County Judge Mitchell Davenport reported that they had not received such information, to date.

One point Guyton made was in reference to a recent public "town hall" meeting held in district court June 8.

"Their (Gamesa's) own representatives didn't know what warranty language was contained in the existing contracts," said Guyton, referring to promises made by the wind energy giant to landowners in Barton Chapel with regard to noise, traffic, siting and mechanical repair and/or replacement.

"We know you are pro-wind farm," said one gallery member, to which Judge Davenport responded succinctly.

"I am not pro-wind," said Davenport decidedly. "I am pro-Jack County. I believe we should be willing to invest in the future of the county and its residents."

Wind farm opponent Rod Heltzel questioned the timing of a tax abatement.

"If studies are being done on noise levels, etc., why not wait until the results of those studies are made available until an abatement is given?" asked Heltzel. "They (Gamesa) will come here anyway, with or without an abatement."

"How do you know that?" questioned Davenport. "They could move the whole project into Young County, and Jack County may not see a dime."

"Only time will tell," said James Logan, Pct. 1 Commissioner.

Davenport recognized Ann Deck who spoke from her perspective as a land owner within the Barton Chapel project with several turbines and a switching station located on her property.

"We are lifetime residents of Jack County, proud to live on and live off of the property we own. We believe that no one has the right to tell us what to do on our property," said Deck.

Opponents of the Senate project argue that their position is not against land rights, but against the high cost of tax reductions for large corporations, noise issues which remain to be solved and damage to the environment in terms of landscape, wildlife and commercialism.

Proponents of the project point to financial benefits and landowners rights should the project proceed according to plan.

In other business, commissioners agreed to resubmit a request for proposals for medical services for the jail, due to confusion about the details required from medical personnel under the current contract. The present provider is Wise County Medical.

Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the June 15 meeting; review and acceptance of the Treasurer's and Auditor's monthly report; renewal of contract for annual contributions to MHMR and other crisis services; approval of disbursement of unclaimed capital credits from the state to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Wise and Jack Counties for children; and approval of the execution of an order establishing Jack County Reinvestment Zone No. 6.

A retainer agreement with the law firm of Allison Bass and Associates Inc. regarding negotiation of the property tax abatement with Senate Wind L.L.C. and other activities related to the zone and incident agreement was also approved.