“A lot of the reasons people come here, especially people from the cities, is to view the unspoiled landscape,” director Dennis Tice said. “We just felt it was important that we take a stand on this issue, and that stand is that it’s not going to help tourism, that’s for sure.”

While nothing’s definite, wind developers from Oregon, Florida and Washington, D.C., have been courting landowners for months, hoping to convince them to lease their property for a turbine.

The possible project has prompted residents on both sides of the debate to come forward to talk about why turbines should or should not come to Bedford County.

Critics say the structures — which could tower 400 or more feet in the air — will compromise the region’s natural beauty.

The 15-member visitors bureau board Thursday released a statement saying just that.

“We’re not trying to be activists,”... [continue via Web link]