This letter is written in response to the June 22 editorial entitled "Airing differences." This editorial overtly criticizes regional elected officials for not supporting wind energy efforts in western Rutland County.

As state representative for Clarendon, southern Iraq, Proctor and West Rutland, I've thought long and hard about the pros and cons of wind energy development by Noble (north of Route 4) and Vermont Community Wind Farm (south of Route 4). The smaller, more remote Noble project, running along the Hanley Mountain-Grandpa's Knob ridgeline, moved forward quite uneventfully the past few years until recent financial problems surfaced for the company. The future of this project remains uncertain. Accepting that benefits exist from alternative energy production, and not hearing any local opposition, I've supported this project to date.

The Vermont Community Wind Farm Project is quite another story. The town of Ira is enveloped by this massive proposal, even after some recent scaling back by the developer. Opposition in Ira and west Clarendon to this project is extensive, vocal, persistent and persuasive. This is a huge industrial undertaking being thrust upon areas primarily zoned residential/ agricultural.

I heard one vocal opponent charge that wind "farm" is a misnomer; it should be called a wind "factory." I agree. Folks didn't move to Ira and Chippenhook for the "moving wind turbine experience" or to do their part for the "alternative energy revolution." They settled here because they value peace, quiet, solitude, wildlife, and scenery. All of this comes under direct threat with the location of the proposed Vermont Community Wind "Farm" project into their backyards.

The scars, temporary or permanent, on the landscape created by construction of enormous 450-foot-tall whirling Bennington Battle Monuments are far from negligible. Clear-cut swaths carved into mountainside slopes necessary to provide for straight 35-foot-wide access roads, new high-voltage transmission lines, and flat footings for huge turbine platforms on contoured mountain peaks can't be simply brushed aside as temporary. Beyond implications to scenery, troubling questions remain about impacts on human health and wildlife from noise, lighting, and shadow effect from blade movement. You can bet all this will not enhance property values.

The long and growing list of opponents comes from all walks of life. Your editorial characterization of opponents as all living in nice houses with grand views and open checkbooks available for desperate politicians is untrue, and quite frankly personally insulting. My campaign finance information, along with other Rutland county political representatives, is public information and open to anyone's inspection. It is my job to represent the majority interests of the rural areas being so dramatically impacted, editorialized NIMBY and politician labels notwithstanding.

The Vermont Community Wind "Farm" is a bad idea for this already settled, beautiful, unique spot on Earth. Let's hope the developers, Herald editor, and other regional politicians come to this same conclusion and soon.