N.Y. Times wind project article misses the mark

N.Y. Times wind project article misses the mark

Editor, The Recorder,
A Feb. 13 New York Times story on the Highland County wind energy project missed an important player in this controversy - democracy. There is far more involved than environmental vs. industrial development. The real question is, can elected officials ignore public opinion and existing law?
At the public hearing for the conditional use permit, only 18 of the 97 speakers supported issuing it. Two of the three-member elected county board decided to issue the permit anyway. Virginia law requires a local planning commission to review the permit request prior to its issuance. The county issued the permit first.
It's no wonder the Supreme Court of Virginia has accepted the citizens' case against the county for its actions in this matter.
Sandy Hevener
Blue Grass, Va.