We study history so we do not make the same mistakes again.  Unfortunately, some members of the DeWitt County Board do not remember the years of 2011 thru 2015, when poor leadership depleted county funds to almost bankruptcy.  During the years 2016 thru 2020, new and old members of the board worked diligently to get DeWitt County back to financial stability.  Once again, DeWitt County is headed in the same direction.

The DeWitt County Board is currently being sued for its vote to stop issuing permits to Alta Wind Farm II due to questions of curtailment.  The county’s vote has put the taxpayers and the wellbeing of the county at fiscal risk. 

What is worse is that the chairman of the board had a letter from PJM, the grid operator, confirming that the wind project could curtail turbines immediately without notification “to prevent personal injury or equipment damage” two days before the vote took place. Why did chairman Ferguson not present the letter to the board and citizens of the county?  Why would he allow the county to face millions in damages?

The day after the vote, the DeWitt County administrator sent the PJM letter to every county board member confirming that the project could be curtailed. 

Why does the board continue to let the lie go on with millions of dollars on the line?  The board should do the right thing and stop pretending this new business in DeWitt County is something to play with?

Barbara McMath

Clinton