Local politician settles state ethical violations after using county position to force acceptance of an Apex wind project
Erie Huron Anti-Wind|Jul 29, 2024
"Hunker's unethical actions on the behalf of APEX Clean Energy will negatively affect hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens and landowners in Erie and Huron County. Instead of being a leader in his rural community, Hunker chose to exploit and despoil his rural community. At the very least, Hunker should resign his position as a Lyme Township Trustee."
"Hunker's unethical actions on the behalf of APEX Clean Energy will negatively affect hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens and landowners in Erie and Huron County. Instead of being a leader in his rural community, Hunker chose to exploit and despoil his rural community. At the very least, Hunker should resign his position as a Lyme Township Trustee."
Roger Hunker, long serving Lyme Township Trustee in Huron County (Ohio) has been found to have violated two sections of the Ohio Revised Code regarding Ohio Ethics Laws.
Citing official documents obtained by a records request:
"Hunker violated R.C. 102.03(D) when he used the influence of being a township trustee to advocate to other township trustees to pass a Resolution that benefited his private employer. He also violated R.C. 103.03(E) when he accepted a paid position with APEX Clean Energy to promote their wind energy project to Huron County Commissioners, Lyme Township Trustees, Sherman Township Trustees and the Oxford Township Trustees."
Hunker was instrumental as a development coordinator for APEX in garnering political support for the Emerson Creek wind project in Erie and Huron Counties.
Local citizen watchdog groups are requesting that The Ohio Ethics Commission revisit the settlement agreement, reached with Hunker in March 2024. The settlement agreement states (erroneously) on page 4 that "Ultimately, the APEX Energy wind turbine project was rejected and APEX nor Hunker benefitted from his participation in the matter" —a statement that is factually incorrect. The Emerson Creek wind project was, in fact, approved at every level by the Ohio Power Siting Board, and a minimum of 59 wind turbines will be constructed here.
One local member of a citizens' group opposing the Emerson Creek wind farm responded to the news, saying "Hunker's unethical actions on the behalf of APEX Clean Energy will negatively affect hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens and landowners in Erie and Huron County. Instead of being a leader in his rural community, Hunker chose to exploit and despoil his rural community. At the very least, Hunker should resign his position as a Lyme Township Trustee."
Local groups opposing the Emerson Creek turbine fields (which will stretch from Erie County down to the Holiday Lakes neighborhood area near Willard) are requesting that the Ohio Power Siting Board "halt the Emerson Creek wind project until a full investigation can be completed to find out whether other Huron County officeholders have been compromised by APEX. Emerson Creek is expected to begin construction soon.
In adjacent Crawford County, voters there rejected a similar project, "Honey Creek Wind", by a margin of roughly 4 to 1 in November of 2022. Huron County voters were unable to vote on the Emerson Creek proposal that is the subject of this developing news involving Trustee Hunker.
Some local residents are reserving the right to take further legal action against the massive wind turbine project. Official documentation attached.
