Winding Down: Mixed Messages from the Outgoing Mason County Commission

[XLFD]

The last meeting of the Mason County Commission in 2012, corresponding with the reduction of commissioners by three, from ten to seven, was more eventful than most.  They honored many that are scheduled to leave their positions at the end of the year, including Probate Judge Mark Raven, Treasurer Tim Hansen and fellow long-serving assistant treasurer Susan Anderson,Sheriff Jeff Fiers, Undersheriff Tom Trenner, retiring commissioners Bob Erickson and Jeff Barnett, and election-losing commissioners Rich Morong, Susan Boes and Chairman Lewis Squires.

However, the meeting also had some appointments of note and a surprise resolution vote which was brought up at the last minutes of service of the five commissioners.  All of whom voted for the resolution as it narrowly passed 6-4.  But first, let's consider the appointments.

 

In the City of Ludington Daily News, COLDNews 11-28-2012 it was revealed that the Mason County Board of Commissioners Buildings, Planning, Drains and Airport Committee decided to recommend five people be appointed, including three incumbents after interviewing eight.

The recommendations were incumbent Ralph Lundberg and Eric Jefferies for two seats on the planning commission; incumbent Ed Iteen and Tom Hooper for the ZBA; and incumbent Doug Robidoux as alternate for the ZBA.  ZBA incumbent Ron Krepps was interviewed prior to this meeting.

The candidates were:

Planning Commission — Susan Boes, Ralph Lundberg, Aldon Maleckas, Eric Jefferies and Jeff Norman.

• ZBA — Thomas Hooper, Ed Iteen, Doug Robidoux, and Eric Jefferies.

As reported in yesterdays COLDNews 12-12-12, Lundberg and Jefferies were appointed to the PC as per the recommendation of the committee.  Iteen and Krepps, incumbents for the ZBA were reappointed as was the other incumbent Robidoux.

Effectively, the County Commission decided that the planners and appealers who helped bring in the wind farm was a lot more preferable than putting in either Maleckas and Boes, both who have shown some objectivity in questioning the wind farm, as noted here for Aldon, and here for Susan.  Aldon Maleckas could have been a well-modulated voice of reason with an excellent background for determining wind issues and other problems that would come in front of the Committee, he also finished the meeting speaking out about his opposition to the current wind farm.

Boes has an interest in keeping the county from rushing into further projects without serious deliberation, as was shown by the resolution she put forth at the end of the meeting, which was explained below in the same newspaper.

 

As stated, the resolution was introduced at the end, and its existence was not publicly known until then.  Mary Nichols, who represents the wind farm area geographically, and the five outgoing commissioners defeated a bloc of four incumbent commissioners who wanted to retain that power into next year, including Posma and VanderWall who wrung their hands over the wind farm during the recent political season.  So while it is nice that this resolution was passed if you are wary of further wind exploitation, it likely will not get past this bloc that is a majority in the new County Commission of seven if they desire to have more turbines.

In fact, this resolution may give those factions a false sense of security and offer a canopy of furtiveness allowing more turbines into the area, such as those ones to the north of the county.  The appointments of the old guard to the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, should only warn us that more of the same may be coming.  And not through the front door.

[Willy]

This is like the old saying "closing the barn door after the horses are already out". I'm sure there would be even be more complaints if folks knew there was a complaint system set up.

[XLFD]

If you look to the Mason County website to address a complaint to your elected and appointed representatives of the county, good luck!  Here is the page you would be directed to about information on the wind refinery:

You will note the lack of a link to the "file a complaint" line, and that the LWEP is still "under construction".  Looks like they are putting a lot of care into the complaint process on the county level!  This screen shot was taken just minutes ago and can be looked at here. 

This shows without further discussion the utter contempt the County administration has towards the actual complaints of the people, but they are very, very concerned about losing some of their promised tax revenue from the wind refinery, and plan on going to court to sue the State to get it, as seen in the first line of the resolution presented by Susan Boes. 

Consumer's Power is a little better, actually giving you a form to fill while you are venting your complaint:

http://www.lakewindsenergypark.com/Uploadedfiles/LWEPform092211.pdf

And they do indicate that your problem will be addressed in 5 days.