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Buying into spin on wind



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Published: September 5, 2009

I believe the Rutland Herald owes an explanation to its readers how it determines what is "news" versus what is essentially an article generated by a public relations effort.

Rutland Herald staff writer Gordon Dritschilo, who was not at the meeting in Ira on Aug. 26, wrote an article entitled "Ira wind supporters begin to stir publicly."

From those who were there, it is reasonable to believe that this article was generated not from the facts in attendance, as the author was not there, nor were there that many supporters, but rather from the public relations effort of Jeff Wennberg and Vermont Community Wind Farm.

There is no question that there are those within our community who support the proposed wind turbine project. Ted Sheloski, a supporter and who was extensively quoted, has made clear from day one that he supports this project. But he, as he is quoted and often asserts, "there are a lot more supporters who aren't willing to come out," misses the point: They don't come out; they are not there. It is an assertion not supported by the facts and an assertion that only serves the public relations efforts of Mr. Wennberg. For the Rutland Herald to pass this off as a genuine article of news conflicts between news gathering and editorializing.

We accept in the Monday edition of the Rutland Herald in its business section that many announcements of promotions, opening of new businesses, etc., are generated by the businesses mentioned. However, in the "Local & State" section to read what is purportedly "news" only to realize it is generated by a company's public relations effort is not only disingenuous, but a violation of trust between a newspaper and its readers.

PETER COSGROVE

Ira








READER COMMENTS


Oh, I just wanted to add the following; I did not know about this last meeting as there were no signs on the old Town Hall lawn notifying of such meeting as there have been in the past. Why not? Good Day,CCF
-- Posted by Clyde Fitzgerald on Sat, Sep 5, 2009, 11:35 am EST

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I lost my "trust" in the Rutland Herald years ago. I live in Ira. I have read where people have complained about representatives of the VCWF trespassing on private property with-out permission. I would now like to add something to that.
I have "Private Property Keep Out" signs on the side of my driveway and have had anti-wind supporters still come to my door to hand me their literature, even when in side of their own papers that they give to me, they are condemning VCWF for trespassing on peoples property. Isn't that the case of "the pot calling the kettle black"?
Sure makes a difference as to who does what!
Good Day, CCF
-- Posted by Clyde Fitzgerald on Sat, Sep 5, 2009, 11:19 am EST

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VTers want energy solutions that work. Even less challenging terrain is proving difficult for the wind turbine mechanisms. First Wind and Clipper just got government grants to fix projects that aren't working after less than a year in operation. Blades are cracking, gearboxes are malfunctioning. It's one thing to put them on a flat plain; putting them on steep rugged ridgelines doesn't make any sense, especially because noise the can make people who live even a mile or two away sick. Peter, thanks for reporting the news. Too bad the Herald is giving even more readers reason to cancel their subscriptions.
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Sep 5, 2009, 9:00 am EST

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How come CVPS does not have a wind farm division? Questions abound about what happens when the bearings and wheels and gears in these gadgets begin to get some miles on them. Will the investors have earned enough to just go and leave the junk on the mountain tops? What is the term and or life of this venture? There will have to be an investment in transmission lines from hill top gadgets to a grid connection node in addition to the gadgets. So how come there is no talk of wires? After all the installation and maintenance there still has to be a reliable steam boiler somewhere for windless days. If this were the first day of electricity generation no one would attempt to power a city with these fans. I think, anyway.
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Sep 5, 2009, 7:48 am EST

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As to the Herald, it's "news" if it sells.
As to green energy, VTers aren't interested. VTers want to say no to everything, but still happily consume their share of energy.
..
-- Posted by mark on Sat, Sep 5, 2009, 7:48 am EST

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