This morning's breakfast meeting was like old home week for me because I was with a number of Blair County employees and officials for the annual legislative breakfast. I met a lady from the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts and had heard an informative presentation from Judge Jolene Kopriva on prison overcrowding and Blair County's drug court program.

I made a trip up to Blue Knob today, in response to a constituent complaint to hear and see the new wind turbines located along the mountain top. I went to the home of the complainant then found the road to the wind turbines and went back to see them up close. Although I have been given a lot of information about these things, I was startled at their size.

It was a windy day and the blades were really moving. The complaint we received was about how disruptive the noise was. I agree after going to the site myself that the noise is disturbing and certainly carried to the home of the people who contacted me. I was also surprised at the ground area needed to facilitate the turbines, which includes a wide road cut into the woods.

There needs to be more discussion on the placement of these structures and their effect not only on the environment but on the people who live close by. I'm sure the property values of this immediate area have been negatively effected. This hour long excursion in the middle of my jammed up day was worth the time. Until you see this up close, you don't understand the impact these turbines are having.

- John