As a past County Board member I am very concerned about the potential conflict of interest of Clinton School Board member Dan Matthews as he is currently running as an endorsed member of the anti-wind turbine faction for the DeWitt County Board. 

Given the fact that the schools would gain tens of millions of dollars over the life of the wind farm, why would he as a school board member say “no” to money that will help sustain the education of children in this county? As a realtor, land developer and contractor, I have seen how important schools are to bringing people into this community over my lifetime. 

This community is the perfect place to raise your children, and the fact that we have excellent schools at lower tax rates than all surrounding counties is a seller to most home buyers coming in. 

Is Mr. Matthews like the group he is endorsed by, which is known as DeWitt County Residents Against Wind Turbines, willing to sacrifice the education of our children because he “does not like the way wind turbines look?” Will he recuse himself whenever a vote on wind towers or solar farms comes up, because it will be a direct conflict of interest financially for our schools? 

Does Mr. Matthews expect the taxpayers of this county to carry the burden of paying higher taxes for our school district because he voted “no” on the millions of property tax dollars from wind energy? 

For your information as the reader, approximately 65 percent of your property taxes go to the schools. The power plant currently pays $11 to $12 million in property taxes a year to this county, of which $7 to $8 million goes to the Clinton School District. 

With our school district facing loss of revenue with the impending closure of the power plant in the next few years, what does Mr. Matthews plan to do, not only for our children, but you as the taxpayer who will be paying higher property taxes as a result of his actions?

Dennis Rich

Clinton