Fight for the Driftless Region

Dear Editor,

When I was a little girl, my Mom encouraged my sisters and I to use word pictures/illustrations to describe something, so I’ll attempt to do that.

Recently, I attended the Fayette County question and answer session with Pattern Energy. Michael Goff was there with his assistant to "answer" questions about their pending-approval-from-the-PSC-Industrial-Wind-Turbine-project. 

Of all the meetings that I have attended thus far, this one struck me with the deepest sorrow that I’ve felt in a long time. 

The room was packed, the parking lot was overflowing, and some residents/landowners had to stand in the back or along the sides of the room. Even two Amish men were there . . . and we know that when the Amish get involved, something really must be wrong. 

I looked around the room and saw salt of the earth, real people, people who have worked hard all their lives tilling ground, taking care of little ones and livestock, farmers and laborers. Many wore work clothes. Many made a sacrifice to attend the meeting, most likely to return home to chores before falling into bed to wake early again in the morning. I wonder, does Mr. Goff and his assistant have any concept of rural life? Their manner and sleek, manicured appearance shouted otherwise. 

Michael Goff took questions, but only answered about half of them, carefully concealing important details and information he wished to keep from the public until his permits were submitted with the PSC. Apparently, those who will actually be affected by these turbines don't deserve to know what is about to happen. How our state, Governor Evers, and the PSC can allow this is criminal and flies against everything our great nation stands for--a government by and for THE PEOPLE, the farmers and laborers in that room. 

The residents, landowners, and concerned Board peppered Mr. Goff with questions, many of which he refused to answer. The essence of one of the statements/questions that a man standing in the back struck a chord with me: Why are you building these here? Why not in Mt. Horeb, Madison, or Milwaukee? Because the people there have power and money to fight, and we don't. You are preying on people who you view as poor and desperate. 

Michael Goff, in his designer clothing and carefully styled hair brushed that man's question off, too. Why? Because that man and that community mean NOTHING to Mr. Goff and to Pattern Energy. They are here for one reason only. To squeeze like a snake the life and spirit from this rural area, to drain it dry, and then to spit out its bones when they are finished with us. 

We MUST fight. We MUST pray. We must defend this community NOW. Please do whatever it takes to defeat this malevolent giant. I plead with each and every one of you. Our homes are at stake. Our health is at stake. Our beautiful Driftless Region is at stake. It's all on the line. Fight.

Rebekah Neal, Dodgeville, WI