PUGWASH - Lisa Betts is not surprised the backer of a controversial wind farm on the Gulf Shore is not ready to throw in the towel.
Then again, her association isn't ready to back down either.
"We're not surprised, but he has to say the project is going ahead," Betts said of news that Atlantic Wind Farms is still planning a scaled back version of its wind farm near Pugwash.
"As much as he says he's going ahead with it, the more our resolve to stop it."
Betts' Gulf Shore Association waged a bitter battle against Charles Demond's wind farm project that would have seen between 20 and 27, 100-metre-tall turbines erected between the Gulf Shore Road and the Irishtown Road on the outskirts of Pugwash.
The battle that pitted grassroots residents against Demond's corporation garnered national headlines when Anne Murray entered the fray against the wind farm.
Murray has a cottage along the Gulf Shore, and while the turbines would have been a considerable distance from her property, she felt she had to speak out against it.
Betts is questioning Demond's claim that his project still has a lot of support in the Pugwash area. A petition circulated along the Gulf Shore opposing the wind farm had the support of 80 per cent of the population.
Even if Demond's company brings forward a proposal with fewer turbines, Betts said her group would likely oppose it because it doesn't feel the wind farm belongs on the Gulf Shore.
"What's going to happen is people who own property there are going to sell it, and those who are considering buying property there won't," she said.
"It will be ruinous to the local economy because the people who spend their summers there won't come back."
As much as she continues to oppose the project, Betts said she is willing to sit down with Demond and representatives from Atlantic Wind Farms to clear the air.
However, she said, that doesn't mean her group will back down any time soon
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dcole@amherstdaily.com
Gulf Shore Association remains opposed to controversial wind farm project
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Comments
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- Frank
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:13:27
You would think anyone would welcome an industry that replaced fossil fuels . But in a free democracy everyone has their right to say their peice .Solar and wind are two great newer sources of energy . Anne has just as much right as anyone to speak out weither we agree with her or not .She has been helpful to the community in many ways ,has never turned her back on her roots . I wish she would do a complete album of Skeeter Davis ,or maybe Shinia would be better at singing all those heartbreaking breakup songs ,i play Skeeters You Tube classic *I've Forgotten More Than You'll Ever Know About Him *redone live in 1961 ,,,,think i will have another listen right now LOL LOL IMO
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- me not you
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:03:52
just build the darn thing and stop all your whinning -
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- Lynn
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:55:18
Go, Ms. Betts! You are a gutsy lady and deserve a standing ovation. The people who are quick to attack you are ignorant of the facts and just plain jerks. You know what NIMBY really stands for? Next It Might Be YOU!
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- John
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:46:07
I don't know why Anne Murray would figure in this. The only thing she knows about wind is how to put it through her vocal cords and out her mouth. Why in the world would anyone listen to what she has to say about wind farms?
Actually she could scale down a little on her numerous houses and electronics.
I think the Betts lady also is a puff of wind. What are her degrees?
It's a lot about not in my back yard so we'll just move NSPC up your way, then. -
- Jason
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:45:49
I guess we can't judge, John, until someone decides to put something in your own backyard. Maybe a giant twirling thing, you ever seen one of em! Huge!
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- Rhonda
- - January 18th, 2010 at 10:37:59
Ooooooh John, how little you know about either of these two wonderful women you speak so badly about. Surely you did some of your homework on them? No, on second thought you couldn't have. Because if you had, you would have known all the facts before you so blatantly blasted them for taken a stance in something they believe in. They have educated themselves to great lengths on this Pugwash Wind Power Project, before going public with their statements and it is very obvious that they have.
First off one thing both of these women have said is they really do believe and support wind power.
How many houses Miss Murray owns is her business, but seeing you don't seem to know too much about I will help you out just a little. She has two homes one in Ontario and her summer home is in Nova Scotia. Both of which are fairly small homes and she support the use of solar panels on her homes.
How about your home, John, do you use solar power?
Tell me this John, do you live near a Wind Turbine Steel Forest with all the lovely humming and lights strobing and birds dying and ice balls flying?
I personally feel the Gulf Shore is not the right area for a steel forest to be placed. There are so many areas in Nova Scotia that are able to handle a steel forest...pick some barren land, far away from a residential area and the tourist areas. Surely there are many other areas in Nova Scotia where it is windy enough and far enough away to make everyone happy.
