EDITOR:

Christine Williams who was the chairperson of the planning commission submitted a letter accusing Commissioner Robert Barron of having a conflict of interest concerning the solar ordinance. I am involved in a solar project in the St. Nicholas area. For a year and a half we dealt with the planning commission and their recommendations to the county board. The planning commission submitted a plan with three categories. Christine Williams had solar panels in the first category which were excepted from any restrictions, only had to follow local zoning. That seems like a conflict of interest to me. Our project which is a large project had 18 restrictions which included 300 – 1000 ft. setbacks from neighboring property. I won’t relive all the meetings and revisions but it was passed with less restrictive setbacks but i invite everyone to to the county website and read the ordinance. The woke agenda that comes forth is scary. Two of the commissioners, Robert Barron who at the time when the ordinance was being drafted did not have a contract but was open to getting one and Commissioner Dave Moyle stood up for private property rights at every turn. Commissioner Thersa Nelson and Commissioner John Malnar voted against our private property rights at every opportunity. The commissioners who wanted restrictive sections in the ordinance wanted to control our private property except for the two dates a year when i pay thousands of dollars in property taxes, then the property was my burden.

I recommend voters find out where people stand on private property rights and letting industry bring jobs and revenue to our county. I know where Commissioners Robert Barron and Dave Moyle stand on this issue and i support them in the coming election. This time it was solar, the next time it will be another of our property rights.

Bob VanDamme

Rock