We've got mail!

Decision Time

To the editor:

On Tuesday night, Oct. 9, members of the Potter County Planning Commission are scheduled to take action on an ordinance to control construction of wind turbines in the county.

Generating electricity from the wind sounds wonderful on its face. It's symbolic of the "green energy" movement that is commendable and long overdue in our nation.

But don't be fooled! Construction of giant wind turbines in Potter County, as proposed by the international energy giant, AES Corporation, is an example of the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing.

To take advantage of generous tax advantages from the state and federal governments, companies such as AES are looking to exploit areas where there are no meaningful restrictions on wind turbines. They're also looking for areas where citizens lack the political will to protect themselves.

Potter County is running out of time. Now before the Planning Commission is a proposed amendment to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

At the Oct. 9 meeting (6 p.m., Planning Office at Maple View), the commission is poised to decide critical issues on the regulation of wind turbines.

Unless the people are heard, commission members could pass an ordinance that is especially accommodating to the wind industry. In fact, AES Corporation itself has provided the commission with an extensive list of "suggestions" for Potter County's ordinance.

Our county and its citizens need protection - not a weak ordinance that is literally madeto order for one of the world's energy goliaths.

There is not sufficient space in a letter to the editor for a point-by-point review of the proposals now before the Planning Commission. Critical issues such as setbacks from adjacent properties, turbine height and environmental protection are among the issues the Planning Commission is considering.

It's time for the public to be heard. If we remain silent, we could open the door for exploitation: constant noise, day and night; irreparable damage to our groundwater resources and disruption of surface water courses; a permanent scourge on our scenic landscape; human health and safety risks - and the list goes on.

We owe it to future generations not to sit idly by as the wind energy companies target Potter County. We can act today, or we can spend decades wishing that we would have.

Joan Sampson

Ulysses Commended For

Drug Arrests

To the editor:

I want to thank each and every member of the law enforcement community involved in the recent arrests in and around the Emporium area.

It is wonderful to see that some steps are being taken to clean up this area and make it a safer area for our children to grow up in. It is about time that the message be sent out that this activity will not be tolerated.

Thanks to everyone involved and, by all means, keep up the good work!

Jody Reid

Emporium

Stop The War

To the editor:

The human disaster which occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, unleased a madness that falsely led Americans to launch a preemptive unilateral attack upon a poor, weak country.

Now, after more than four years, Americans are sorrowed by and despaired over our young dead and wounded.

Almost more abhorrent is our President who will neither see this immorality nor take responsibility. He will not return our young to America; Iraq to the Iraqis.

It is time for citizens to think. It is time for citizens to speak. It is time for Congress to listen. And it is time for Congress to act.

Congressman John Peterson has publicly stated that the Iraq War is not an issue in his/our district. We, his constituents, believe he is wrong.

The establishment of the Fifth District Peace Project, a public forum, will be devoted solely to communicating that, "Yes, it is an issue, it must end, and your vote must change."

Congressman Peterson needs to listen. He needs to think. He needs to act.

Let your voice be heard. Join the Fifth District Peace Project. Contact Mary Ann Caton by email at: maryanncaton@ fifthdistrictpeaceproject.org.

Susan Butler McCartney

Coleville

Deer Numbers:

Good News

To the editor:

It is readily apparent to many who spend time in the northcentral Pennsylvania forests that the trees, shrubs, wildflowers and vines that make up good deer habitat are increasing in variety and quantity.

In those areas, deer numbers are also increasing.

In many locations, these species of shrubs and plants are increasing in quantity and size: chokecherry, bristly sarsaparilla, Hercules club, witch hazel, winterberry, large leaf holly, mountain ash, hobble bush, Canada bush honey suckle, mountain laurel, rhododendron, red berried elder, common elderberry, mountain maples, sumacs, fire cherry, alternate leafed dogwood, wither rod, azaleas and grapevines.

Wildflowers such as trilliums, violets, leeks, squirrel corn, Dutchman's breeches, ginseng, spring beauties, nettles, cohosh, sarsaparilla, wild lily of the valley, Indian cucumber, woodland asters, bee balm, and wild hydrangea are more common in the spring and summer woods.

Plants like blackberries and raspberries are increasing in many locations.

Tree species such as hemlock seedling, sugar maple, cucumber magnolia, white ash, red oak, chestnut oak, white oak, red maples, black birch and white pine, are increasing the food and cover supply. This helps our deer as well as making better grouse habitat and a future forest for timber needs.

These species and more have recovered more in the last three years than at any time that I have been observing habitat regeneration over the past 37 years.

Hunters are invited to come and walk in the woods and look at deer habitat and forest regeneration.

Contact the Northcentral Region Office of the Pa. Game Commission and make arrangements for your group or clubs to spend a day walking in the deer woods.

John P. Dzemyan Pa. Game Commission

Smethport