This is pricisely what you do not want to do! Let your Councilors determine the rules. That's why we elected them. Negotiate what you want in a Wind Farm, not what they want, sheesh! Believe me, it will bring jobs, it will not become an eyesore when you tell them what YOU WANT. Off the coast of Rhode Island, the Carolina's, Florida & the shores of Nantucket, they will be 17 MILES AWAY. The developer's need DEEP WATER WIND Farms just like our oceans... it is being done!

The windfarm would not create any jobs for local workers. The building of structures like this in deep water would require specially trained marine divers and workers who have built windmills before. Windmills of this height even 17 miles offshore would still be visible from onshore.

Wherever the wind turbines are built, there will be naysayers and Luddites. Carolyn is flat wrong to state that the "windfarm" will not create jobs for local workers. Just where does she think the "specially trained marine divers and workers" will stay, eat, purchase goods and so on? Is it absolutely impossible that there is nobody in our communities who has the skills to build/maintain a wind turbine? Would you discourage somebody who has these skills from moving to Pentwater? (I guess the answer is "yes" if they wanted to lease a condo.)Gee, when wind turbines were suggested--and requested--by some area farmers, I don't recall any objection remotely like Carolyn's. Pentwater, you might just want to consider that the proposal is just that: a proposal. Burying your collective heads in the sand while the rest of the world adapts to alternative power is reprehensible. Did you kick up such a disgraceful fuss when Consumers Power built "The Project?" Don't the people who maintain The Project live in our communities? When the turbines are built, I certainly hope the Luddites have a good cry in their beers about the income and jobs going to other, more progressive communities.

Actually, most local "jobs" are done by large companies from downstate or out of state. It's due to our lack of a competent work force. Our condo's, our marina's, our bridges and sometimes road work are done by outsiders. If we want local workers to do these types of jobs, we must invest in training and education. A "local" manistee company is currently producing parts for windmills...maybe Ludington can step up and be pro-active.

Only a few residents of this area have been able to attend informational meetings to date. Shouldn't we all have the opportunity to be informed of the facts before making a decision? It is time we face the fact that the world is constantly changing and our little heaven on earth is not immune to change. Indeed we need to know exactly what our options are, all of the pros and cons of such a project, what benefits this might provide to the communities affected. If this is just big business I'll join the nays, but if the area benefits with jobs, income to benefit the community, reduced utility bills as well as an excellent source of alternative energy, we must consider that too. No decision should be made until the jury, the voters, come to a conclusion.

I think most people are unqualifed to say either way what is best except making electricity from wind is better than buying oil from the middle east there our money is gone forever.

Please keep in mind that there are about 800 area manufacturers who are capable of producing wind turbine components. Also, Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers a 6-month certificate program for wind turbine service technicians. With a 3-year study and a 5-year construction schedule, just think how many qualified workers West Michigan could have ready to go. Don't forget all the support industry jobs too-- restaurants, hotels, automotive service and sales, real estate, recreation. This is not a smash and grab operation-- it has the potential for major improvements to the local and state economies.