Letter: Learn more about the downside of wind energy

To the editor:

"Windfall," a documentary produced by Laura Israel about wind energy development, looks at one example of how developers moved into a rural town in New York. This scenario is happening all over the country, and is an example of what has been the response in the majority of cases. Citizens start looking into the facts for themselves and end up putting together a group opposing the project. In the case of Meredith, N.Y. they are successful in running anti-wind candidates for the local government offices and defeating the officials who were in favor of the project.

While pointing out the downside of wind energy, the film is also a great advocate of the importance of involvement by citizens in government and decision-making. The message is loud and clear - get involved, ask questions, and learn the facts for yourself. If we all took some time to do this we would be much better off. Relying on the government (which by the way is supposed to be us, the people) is easier but not necessarily better. If you are old enough to remember the "down-winders" fiasco or Agent Orange you know what I mean. The government frequently "misrepresents" the truth and seldom makes corrections until it is forced to.

We would like to invite the citizens of Williams area to the free screening of this film that is being sponsored by the Canyon Country Coalition. The film will be shown at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Santa Fe Room of the Fray Marcos Hotel, 235 N. Grand Canyon Blvd. We think it will be worth the 90 minutes of your time. And then next week on Tuesday, April 24, go to the Planning and Zoning Hearing on the County's Energy Element and get involved, or once again the "government" will do what they want without the input of the citizens who will be affected.

Linda Webb

Williams