Forum on the Turbines - Info & Stuff

On Tuesday, January 24, 2012 a forum will be held at the Hasting Middle School at 7:00 p.m. The forum is sponsored by the town and the developer for the project

See the Article in Monday's edition of the S-T for details. In the article it is reported the forum will be broadcast live on local cable (Fairhaven Cable Government Access on Channel 18 and hopefully rebroadcast).  

Go if you can, watch it if you can't go.

It is my sincere hope this forum comes off, that it is allowed to be held and conducted in a proper manner.  Based on comments in the paper in today's article that may not be a reality.

In the end we are all judged by our actions.  In the end we all must live with the results of those actions.

Quoting from the S-T article by Beth Perdue:

Although steps have been taken to keep proceedings calm and civil, including the hiring of a professional moderator with experience running contentious meetings, Deane, nonetheless, expressed concerns. 

"We're hoping everyone will be civil," he said. 

Windwise spokesman Ken Pottel acknowledged it may be a passionate meeting, but said he believes it is only because people are afraid. 

"I'm not condoning anything illegal, but I do feel it's justified anger and passion that people have," he said. "I wouldn't say we're going out there rioting or anything. We're (just) citizens who are concerned."

Seems like both sides are concerned about what may transpire.  It is a shame either side should be really.

An interesting side bar:  according to the paper the Q & A is going to be limited to Fairhaven Residents.  Interesting in only as to how that ends up playing out in comments about silencing opponents after the fact.  It is a Fairhaven forum for Fairhaven residents.  One would think questions should come from Fairhaven residents.

Shouldn't be an issue, but want to bet it will be.

For my money, if this thing breaks down, this will be the point where it does.

I had seen an announcement previously that Windwise had intended to hold its own forum on Thursday, January 26, 2012.  Anybody out there have further details as to the when and where and if it it is still scheduled?  I understand the intent to hold one still exists.  Will be interesting to see who the town sends.

Hey let's not kid ourselves on the whole forum concept either.  It is going to be predominantly pro-project (just as I would anticipate the opponents forum to be predominantly against the project).

If you want a completely neutral forum, someone is going to have to come up with an independent organization to conduct it.  Any takers?

I long for the good old days when a debate could be organized by a civic group and the parties were actually required to debate.  Where the audience was respectful, and were the Q & A was just that, question and answers, not an opportunity to stand up and plug an opinion.

Not going to happen on this one though.

Too many opinions expressed by too many people/groups/entities with too many affiliations.