Opinion - The Paper of Montgomery County

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

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Reader questions attorney’s statement

Thursday, September 13, 2018 4:00 AM

Dear Editor,
I have been wondering about the statement that Attorney Dan Taylor made at the August 13, 2018 Commissioners meeting. To recap, commissioner John Frey asked Mr. Taylor specifically about the Extraterritorial Ordinance that many of the small towns are considering implementing. Mr. Taylor has long said that the ordinance is not defensible, as have the town attorneys, without zoning. I wanted to explore this option further and took a copy of the Darlington town ordinance directly to the source, the Indiana Statehouse. Senator Jim Tomes, whose district includes one of the only other Indiana counties without county-wide zoning submitted my questions to the Legislative Services Agency. The LSA is responsible for legislative research and related bill drafting. So, I asked them to research the ordinance. I was not surprised to learn that Indiana Code (IC) 36-8-2-4 does in fact allow a town to use their general police powers to regulate the use of land located outside of the municipality that endangers public health and safety, unless another statute prohibits it. Since there are no other statutes to prohibit this power, the town ordinances can be used. A municipality may regulate the use of land under its general police powers, without using zoning, as in the court case of the City of Carmel v. Martin Marietta Materials. The court found that the city of Carmel could in fact use this ordinance to regulate mining since their ordinance did not create districts or classifications for land uses as zoning would create.

1 comment(s)
Reader says too little too late

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 10:17 PM

Dear Editor,
Isn't it ironic that since there is an election around the corner with two Independent Candidates running: Ed Stephens (commissioner) and Greg Wilcox (council) who are against Industrial Wind Turbines suddenly the commissioners are interested in halting wind? Too little too late Mr. Fulwider. You have had your chance in the last 2 years since your constituents have been fighting to put a stop to wind turbines in Montgomery County by attending your meetings and emailing you daily! We won't be fooled by this "new consciousness" that you see flaws in what the Wind Reps are selling!
Rich Watkins,
Linden

0 comment(s)
Reader questions commissioner

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 10:16 PM

Dear Editor,
In response to Jim Fulwider’s letter in the paper yesterday, where have you been the past two years? Why is it that two months before the election are you so concerned about protecting the people of this county from the wind company? You voted against lowering the decibels from 60 to 38, you voted in favor of separating landowner’s level of protection according to the number of acres owned, and you voted in favor of an ordinance that provides no additional protections to churches, schools, parks, or businesses. Why should anyone believe that you have the best interests of the county at the top of your priority list? I’m afraid that flipping sides this late in the game and playing the citizens of Montgomery County as fools, is going to end with your seat as a Commissioner blowing in the wind.
Douglas and Corrie Gallapoo,
Crawfordsville

1 comment(s)
Reader surprised by recent concerns

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 10:16 PM

Dear Editor,
Upon attending the Commissioners meeting this past Monday, I was at first surprised to hear Fulwider state that he had concerns on the proposals from Apex Wind Energy concerning the wind turbines. For the past year and a half, he has been all too willing to stand behind whatever decision Bane has done but for some reason, has decided to start changing his tune all of the sudden. I wondered why, but then it occurred to me, November elections are coming up very quickly and of course, he is going to say or do whatever he can to get re-elected. Reminds me of a wolf that will cover himself with a sheep's wool to get in with the herd but as soon as he gets what he wants, the wolf throws off the wool to reveal himself and start causing destruction. Well, Mr Fulwider, it's hard to conceal a wolf once people already know he's there. So nice try in trying to conceal your true colors.
Kimbra Lough,
Darlington

0 comment(s)
Milam endorses two candidates in response

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 10:16 PM

Dear Editor,
In a recent letter to the editor, the Montgomery County Republican Chairman spoke of an endorsement of candidates for County Council and County Commissioner. So I guess that gives me the equal right to write a letter to the editor endorsing Ed Stephens for County Commissioner and Greg Wilcox for County Council. Both Ed and Greg are opposed to Industrial Wind Turbines that pose a serious threat to health, safety, property rights and property values. They are also both also opposed to County-Wide Zoning.
The citizens of Montgomery County have an opportunity to help provide funding for their campaign expenses. There is a fundraising event for Ed Stephens and Greg Wilcox on September 19th (5-8 p.m.) at Hidden Hollow Farm, 4519 West 300 North, Crawfordsville. Food and entertainment will be provided.
The two issues of Industrial Wind Turbines and County-Wide Zoning are critical to the future of our personal property rights in the county, as well as the health and safety of our residents. Let’s bring honesty, integrity and fiscal responsibility back to Montgomery County.
Study the facts and be well informed. Talk to your neighbors. Vote for the right candidates.
Thank you,
Bill Milam,
Montgomery County

0 comment(s)
Reader points to college in response to Timmons

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 10:15 PM

Dear Editor,
You asked how we got to today's political morass (Tim Timmons column, Sept. 11). People started misconstruing their being entitled to their own opinion as also being entitled to force everybody else to feel the same way. I'd like to be able to blame it all on the millennials, but it's pretty much spread across all demographics: Young, old, black, white, etc . . . One thing is certain, however. College campuses are churning out millions of kids who have been indoctrinated rather than educated and who, consequently, can't think their way out of a paper bag. A recent national poll revealed that 90% of all college faculty members are liberal with a goodly portion considered regressive-left on the political scale. That can't possibly be good, so here we are.
Ron Carmony,
Sebring, Fla. and formerly of Crawfordsville

0 comment(s)
Reader gives thoughts on proposals regarding wind

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 4:00 AM

Dear Editor,
The Montgomery County Commissioners held their bi-monthly meeting Monday at the city building to accommodate the larger-than-usual crowd. Seeing people standing in the back because of a lack of seating was a true testament to the importance of the issues at hand. They had some items that had to do with the speed limit on a coupe roads, a dangerous intersection, and an issue for non-English speaking citizens that unless it is implemented, federal funding will be withdrawn.
The big draw and cause for such a large crowd was, of course, wind turbines. Apex Clean Energy submitted their road use, economic development and decommissioning agreements to the commissioners for approval. These agreements are necessary in order for the wind company to obtain building permits.
Of course my first thought was – you never accept an opening offer. The road use agreement had no details about specific roads that will be used, any new roads that will be needed or any specific info about returning the roads back to the ‘pre-turbine’ status. The commissioners have big plans in terms of roads and bridges in Montgomery County so without specifics, neither party can move forward.

0 comment(s)
Fulwider gives thoughts on proposals regarding wind

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 4:00 AM

Dear Editor,
I wanted to take the opportunity to send an update and summery of information regarding Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS).
At today’s meeting the commissioners had open discussion on the Roaming Bison WECS Agreements. The commissioners have three proposed agreements before us; Economic Development Agreement, Road Use Agreement, and Decommissioning Agreement.
I have many concerns with the proposed agreements as I discussed this morning. The Economic Development Agreement in section 3.03 refers to tax abatement options. The county commissioners do not have control of tax abatement. This should be presented to the county council prior to it being placed in an agreement for the commissioners to consider. The abatement process should take place before any other agreements are approved as this will affect the actual economic development impact.
Section 7.01 of the agreement asks for accelerated vesting. The agreements should be presented closer to the time of applying for permits. This would negate the need for Roaming Bison to be exempt from changes that everyone else is bound by. Also, I don’t believe current elected officials should limit the ability of future elected officials to make changes the law.
There are concerns in the road use agreements as well. First, the county has not been provided any detailed maps which show the impact to roads and legal drains. Their proposed agreement would allow these maps to be presented at a later time.

1 comment(s)
Reader defends No Wind Farms

Sunday, September 9, 2018 9:36 PM

Dear Editor,
In response to a couple of opposing recent letters to the editor a few thoughts came to mind as misguided on the part of Mr. Michael Fons. Mr. Milam has no "unusual" fear of windmills which have been in use around the world for hundreds of years to pump water, grind grain and make soap. I believe what Mr. Fons is inaccurately labeling as windmills are actually Industrial Wind Turbine electric generators, of which are quite different. Bill Milam has no fear of Industrial Wind Turbines either. It is NOT unusual to have negative thoughts towards Industrial Wind Turbines. You are correct Mr. Fons, windmills do have a low risk to human health. Industrial Wind Turbines on the other hand will most likely have a negative impact on some of the public's health, safety and welfare. These Industrial Wind Turbines are not new and have a history of harmful health effects on humans and wildlife as well as a decrease in property value among other issues.

1 comment(s)
Reader: Tough day for local officials

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 10:41 PM

Dear Editor,
Wednesday was a rough day in county politics. The Montgomery County Council held a special meeting with the Montgomery County Commissioners to lay out the commissioners budget for 2019. Projects for the upcoming year were discussed and a budget was presented to the Council for review. Jeff Peters MPA, CPA from Peters Municipal Consultants, LTD presented a budget, followed by Commissioner John Frey outlining his vision for the future of Montgomery County. Among things discussed were several road and bridge projects.
I attended this meeting out of pure curiosity to see what things would be presented by the commissioners. I went in with the expectation that this would be a very long and somewhat boring meeting outlining budgets and funds and grants. Boring, right? Oh my, no!
At one point in the meeting a heated argument broke out and Council President Terry Hockersmith had to put the whole room in a five-minute time out. During this cooling down period, the commissioners and attorney expressed their displeasure in being challenged by one of the council members. The council members remaining in the room did not engage in this discussion and the topic died down. The meeting soon resumed and everyone behaved long enough to complete the business at hand and reach adjournment.

1 comment(s)
GOP chair backs candidates for fall election

Sunday, September 2, 2018 8:28 PM

Dear Editor,
At our most recent Republican Party Central Committee, we unanimously voted to financially support our candidates for County Council and County Commissioner, here in Montgomery County. One of the goals of any party is to get its candidates elected and as the Chairman of the Montgomery Republican Party, I am pleased to see our party unite and help Jim Fulwider and Mark Smith in this year’s November election. Financially supporting our candidates serves several purposes. First, it shows the candidates we believe in what they are doing. Secondly, it shows supporters of the Republican Party, when they support our party, we will put that support to get our candidates elected. Finally, it sends a clear message to people who want to get involved in our Republican Party as a candidate or a supporter, that we are united, strong, supportive and committed in getting our candidates elected to office.

0 comment(s)
Reader remembers two standout athletes, men

Saturday, September 1, 2018 4:00 AM

Dear Editor:
It was with sadness that I read of the passing of two former Montgomery County academic and athletic stars, Mike Whitecotton and Bill Evans.
There is considerable irony in their deaths. They attended school together – Mike graduated from New Ross High School in 1960, Bill a year later – and were basketball standouts as teammates. Adding to the irony, while they lived hundreds of miles apart all their adult lives they passed away within 16 days of each other.
After high school they went in different directions and took different career paths. Mike received two degrees from The University of Notre Dame and was in business until retiring in 1974. Bill went to medical school and became a physician in Arizona, specializing in emergency medicine for four decades.
Neither had “advantages” of attending a large or private and prestigious high school. They graduated from a school so small it didn’t have a gym adequate for home games. Nonetheless, the school was big enough to give students like Mike Whitecotton and Bill Evans a solid education and foundation for success.

0 comment(s)
Fons stands up for windmills

Thursday, August 30, 2018 10:15 PM

Dear Editor,
The recent letter to the editor from Bill Milam demonstrates, if nothing else, his persistence in letting all of us know of his unusual fear of windmills and brought to mind another person famous for their fear of windmills, Don Quixote. Don Quixote (The Ingenious Nobleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes about 1605) was one of the first novels ever written. Quixote’s nemesis, like Bill Milam’s is in fact a windmill. Don Quixote believes the windmills to be ferocious giants that he must joust with (also known as tilting). Like Don Quixote, Mr. Milam believes that removing the giants (windmills) from the face of the earth is a service that God will bless.
The definition of “quixotic” is “foolishly impractical especially in pursuit of ideals; marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action.” Bill Milam’s efforts are quixotic. Windmills represent a very low risk to human health. Pollution from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity represents a much greater and real risk to human health in Montgomery county than even densely packed windmill farms. Bill Milam’s efforts are misplaced and are now becoming a time and financial burden on the county with the prospects of no end in sight as there is no rational way to appease irrational fears.
Michael P Fons
Crawfordsville

2 comment(s)
Reader has issues with wind turbine setback distances

Wednesday, August 29, 2018 10:52 PM

Dear Editor,
In a recent meeting of the county commissioners on August 13, 2018, Commissioner John Frey and attorney Dan Taylor discussed their opinions of the towns passing ordinances restricting Industrial Wind Turbines, for purposes of health, safety and welfare.
Let me say in response to their comments, these towns would not have to pass these ordinances if the county commissioners had done what they should have done to pass an ordinance with safe setback distances from property lines.
The county Ordinance 2009-5 had setbacks from property lines of 1.1 times the height of the wind towers. The local No Wind Farm group has said that these setbacks were grossly insufficient. However, on July 9 the commissioners revised that ordinance with Ordinance 2018-4, which made things much worse than the original ordinance.

2 comment(s)
Reader weighs in on property rights

Tuesday, August 21, 2018 4:00 AM

Dear Editor,
Isn’t it ironic how some people say “You can’t tell me what to do on my property or trample on my property rights?” . . . while some of these same folks will sign away all of their property rights to slick wind company sales representatives of a wind power company who WILL TELL THEM what they can and cannot do on their property, yielding the loss of more property rights than the NO WIND FARM advocates even suggest. We from the NO WIND FARM MONTGOMERY COUNTY group are NOT saying what you can or cannot do your property; we are demanding that your property rights do NOT erode our property rights.
Rich Watkins
Linden

0 comment(s)

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