We have heard time and again how the values of property and homes will depreciate significantly if the Wind Farm is constructed in the Town of Addison. Conversations with residents, appraisers, realtors and town treasurers in Wisconsin and Iowa have found this statement to be untrue.

Don Dumman of Dumman Real Estate and Appraisals, of Algoma, WI, stated in a recent interview: "As an appraiser, I haven't seen anything to lead me to believe that there is anything that would be a distraction or lower values. It's a matter of buyer preference. But it wouldn't affect values."

Kewaunee County builder Jeff Dorner, of Van's Lumber of Dykesville, stated that building new homes in the area has remained constant in relationship to pre-wind farm times. He went on to state: "...once they [turbines] are built, people can accept them. If you don't like them you build or buy a home elsewhere. People come out to look at land, see the turbines, and accept them. People who are building now know what they are getting into."

Assessor Joe Jerabek of the Town of Lincoln [site of 23 turbines] reported: "There is no evidence of impact on property values [from the wind farm] one way of the other." He went on to say that typically six to 10 building permits for new homes are issued annually and that this has not changed.

In conclusion, a builder, an appraiser/realtor, and an assessor all have stated that there has been no appreciable effect on property values or building due to turbines in the towns of Lincoln and Red River. Potential home buyers see the turbines and either accept them or they don't. The ones that accept them pay full market value for their homes. On a recent trip to the Kewaunee area, we saw two houses being built as "retirement" homes and three other homes being built by younger families. All of these homes were very close in proximity to the wind turbines. When questioned, not a one complained about noise, increased traffic patterns, flashing lights at night or any of the other complaints that we have heard in the past.

Realtors in Washington County have seen NO depreciation of values or sales of homes and lots being sold in the Town of Addison and adjoining townships since the advent of the Addison Wind Farm. As a matter of fact, one realtor said that prices have increase and the demand is higher for the land that is available. People that didn't want to live near U.S. Highway 41 because of the road noise, are now adjusting because they like the "rural" area that will be maintained. These realtors that are hesitant to speak favorably about the wind farm are those that have a history of developing new parcels for housing.

Federal Funding Is Nothing New

In regards to the Addison Preservation Group's apparent new discovery that energy is subsidized [November 11, 2000, West Bend Daily News; "Utilities Harvest Millions], government subsidies are seen often to assist "emerging businesses, new technology, and new growth for communities in business and industrial parks." In Washington County we can list a number of projects that are private businesses and are assisted with tax dollars. Maysteel of Allenton was assisted by the Town of Addison to obtain low rate financing. The new Wal-Mart Super Store and Menards in West Bend are part of TIF districts to attract them to the area. The Quad Graphics plant in Hartford had a number of incentives. These are only a few to illustrate that municipalities and companies often make some sort of financial arrangement to start up.

The Green Scissors 2000 report further verifies that the Department of Energy not only assists companies with new ventures in wind farms, etc. Part of the DOE's "Clean Coal" Technology Program [CCTP] wastes taxpayer dollars on mismanaged projects that promote the use of the most polluting fuel source--coal. Five projects in the program have been in the "design stage" for at least six years at a cost of $515 million. Two of these projects have changed locations several times. The DOE obligated $79 million to two projects in bankruptcy, with very little hope of ever recouping that money.

As a matter of fact, Glenn Schleede, the often quoted expert by the opponents to wind energy, is a past senior vice president of the National Coal Association in Washington, among many other positions he has had or is holding that are related to promoting fossil fuels.

This project will allow the town of Addison and its residents to recoup some of the many tax dollars given to the federal system of support.

Climate Change/Clean Air

Today's power plants emit carbon dioxide, mercury, sulfur dioxide, and other gases which are changing our atmosphere and poisoning our lakes. The Addison Wind Farm is a step towards clean power for the future. For every year in operation the proposed Addison Wind Farm will keep out of the atmosphere:

155,600,000 pounds (77,800 tons) of carbon dioxide

828,600 pounds of sulfur dioxide (an acid rain-causing gas)

329,600 pounds of nitrous oxides

Wisconsin's existing wind turbines in the Town of Byron and in Kewaunee County completed their first year of operation as of July 1, 2000. During their first year of operation, these 33 turbines generated 44 million kilowatt-hours of zero-emission electricity, enough to power 6,500 households. In so doing they displaced 31,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and 126 tons of acid rain gases while providing rental income to host landowners and increased revenues to host communities.

A future without the Addison Wind Farm Green Energy could result in the loss of farms in the township, increased air pollution, and the potential for electricity shortages with the continued population growth [new homes, new schools, more computers, etc.], along with higher taxes to maintain many of the luxuries this township has been able to provide in the past.

How Tall Are the Wind Mills?

The above question has been asked many times in recent weeks. The answer given by the wind farm opponents is most astounding. There is a rumor being propagated to many that are willing to listen. It is said: "These towers are THREE times as tall as the WBWI-FM radio tower located on the corner of Aurora Road and State Highway 33.

Does anybody really know how tall the largest radio tower is at that location? According to the West Bend Broadcasting Company, the tallest radio tower is 515 feet. That would mean that the opponents are claiming the wind turbine generators would stand more than 1,500 feet into the air!

In fact the wind turbines are 235 feet to the center of the hub with 90-foot-long blades. Overall length is 325 feet. Before you believe everything you hear about this project, ask for verification and check it out for yourself. You will be the "smarter one."

Your Participation Is Needed!!!

Your voice is important to be heard at the public hearing slated for December 15, 2000 at the Slinger High School. Come and support farming in our rural area, support open land hunting, support snowmobiling, support farmer's rights and other property owners' rights, support green energy, the way of the future, support the efforts of our township to provide clean air and a better environment for our kids, our grandchildren, our pets and our livestock.

The move is on to limit hours of farming, days of farming, what crops can be planted in what fields, and the hours that farm equipment can be on the road. Support your friends and neighbors, families that have been in this area for many years, providing the daily food and nutrition that we all take for granted.

Come early and register to voice your opinion, don't let people outside the Town of Addison dictate how we should live and farm. Don't let the opponents to this important project "bully" and intimidate you. This is a FREE COUNTRY! You are allowed to speak your beliefs. Let the silent majority be heard!