The Springwater Preservation Committee

Springwater Preservation Committee

A reply to Mr. Toland’s letter to the editor of the Genesee Country Express…

By Bob Radell, September 28, 2005

Dear Editor,

I have followed a series of Letters to the Editor from Mr. Toland with amused befuddlement as his empty and pointless verbiage seemed to lead down a road to the foggy land of nowhere. However, his most recent letter is an exception, as it appears he has now taken on the role of Minister of Propaganda in the distinguished council of King Mark. Unfortunately, at least a brief response to his inane rambling is now necessary. As Mr. Toland professes to be a historian one would hope he would have some sensitivity to the issue of truth and a modicum of decorum for those who don’t necessarily agree with his position.

Mr. Toland began with his disgust for a cartoon he believes was designed to appeal to those with a disabled listening and reading ability. He might note the prominent historical role of satirical political cartoons from colonial time to the present. Even today as eminent a publication as "The New York Times" finds prime space for such cartoons. Yes, there is some truth in the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

He refers to the information meeting as a "rehearsed theatrical production." It should be noted that the event was sponsored and hosted by the Town Board, with equal time allotted to both Springwater Preservation and PPM Atlantic, and advertised and open to the general public. No one had any control over who attended except the individuals who chose to come and be informed. Was the power point presentation of opponents of the wind farm rehearsed? Obviously, one cannot do a power point presentation without preparation. Did it represent one viewpoint? Of course it did - that was its whole point. Was it theatrical? For anyone with some familiarity with the theater it would be difficult to find a fact based power point presentation, a perfectly scaled model of a wind tower or the sound of a wind generator played at 75 decibels to be theatrical. Frankly, the issues are much too important to be treated theatrically. It was certainly a more honest presentation than Mr. Moore’s, who engaged in such outright lies as the statement that the development of the proposed wind farm would not include any public funds, when it is a known fact that at least a half dozen public subsidies would be involved.

It is clear and obvious common sense that the property values of those located close to the proposed wind farm are threatened and will be impacted. One can argue about the degree of impact, but not about the impact itself. I do not find it "childish" to be concerned about one’s property value. Is it self centered? Of course it is - there are some things in life that are rightly self centered. Mr. Toland’s property is not threatened, yet he talks about the need to walk in the other person’s shoes while he slings mud and derogatory comments at all those who are. How hypocritical!

With respect to Mr. Toland’s view of property rights, one would have assumed he had the intelligence to appreciate the fact that all right and freedoms have limits and responsibilities. There are gray areas where reasonable people can debate where the limits should be drawn and what responsibilities are essential, but Mr. Toland obviously has no interest in a serious consideration of these issues. Where was Mr. Toland’s disgust when his Town Board held a Public Hearing at which no one was allowed to speak? Has Mr. Toland deluded himself into the belief in his own infallibility? He cites the "real majority" without one iota of evidence that such a majority even exists outside of his own imagination.

On behalf of all of us illiterate folk who have no "semblance of intelligence," a "childish view of life" and care only for "one’s own self-centered preferences" may Mr. Toland someday learn to practice what he preaches.

Bob Radell

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