Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,
There are two reasons for this letter, but a foundation needs to be laid first.
As a native of Lake Mills and a 1970 graduate of LMCS, those early years were influenced by ‘The Greatest Generation,’ people who survived the Great Depression and WWII. They led by their example of hard work and decency, a respect for others, and a willingness to work together for the common good. They also exuded pride in being Iowans and Americans, passing that love to future generations. They were not people to be worshipped, as they were very human, but they deserved to be admired for their determination and courage in the face of adversity. In WWII, they confronted systems that tortured and persecuted others, denying their humanity and right to live. The scenes of the carnage to human life from those years haunted many of them for life.
America has changed now in ways that probably would dismay ‘The Greatest Generation.’ The current political climate encourages ‘dark’ money, lobbyists and corporate influence to pressure politicians into passing legislation favorable to their special interests, while unfairly burdening the least among us. A so-called Christian movement has developed, where the concept of loving God and obeying God’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves, gets sidetracked into discrimination of those deemed ‘different.’ This is coupled with a denial of science, climate change, and the necessity to protect the environment that God has so lovingly entrusted to us. In recent years, individuals with sociopathic and narcissistic personality disorders are threatening the very fabric of this nation’s democratic principles and institutions. This has resulted in the catastrophic handling of the COVID 19 crisis.
With that in mind, here are the two reasons for this letter. First, in the 50 years since high school graduation from LMCS, living in other states with occasional brief residences in Iowa has occurred. Those times in Iowa were times of particular pride and joy, as Iowa life always seemed better than other places. But by the 21st century, life in Iowa changed, as polarization and division caused problems. Now, in the midst of COVID 19, something so horrific has happened; a federal executive order that forces meat packing plants to stay open, though owners are not required to make these plants safe for workers. Even more horrific, Iowa’s governor has decreed that workers, any workers who refuse to work because of health and safety concerns, are not entitled to unemployment benefits.
This is not the Iowa that ‘The Greatest Generation’ left us, an Iowa that decides that people are disposable, that people have to sacrifice their lives in such a way. I am very concerned for family and friends who are living in Iowa. This callous disregard for life, causes COVID 19 to spread even more, with more lives lost, more families shattered. Sick or dead people are no help to restoring the economy.
Secondly, this year is the 50th anniversary of high school graduation. For months, other classmates and I have been planning the class reunion during July Jubilee. Because Iowa has not been exercising due diligence on following safety and health precautions, because extensive testing is not yet in place, because other spring and summer events have already been cancelled, it seems a prudent course of action for July Jubilee to be cancelled and to postpone the reunion until 2021. It is the humane and decent thing to do.
So far, July Jubilee has not been cancelled and if it is not cancelled, the reunion will happen according to other members of the planning committee. This decision endangers the lives of other classmates and all connected with them. So, in good conscience, I cannot attend, for fear of endangering the lives of 60 plus parishoners and a number of communities.
Now is our opportunity to be ‘The Greatest Generation.’ While there is nostalgia to return everything back to normal, the normal we were living in is the cause. That normal was deadlier than the virus. But we can, with the same courage and determination as ‘The Greatest Generation’ forge a new normal where respect for human life is restored and all life is precious.
How pleased God will be.
Rev. Paula N.M. Anderson
Campbellsport, Wis.
Dear Editor,
I recently read your article: Other’s Share Their Spin On Wind Power. At the end of the article, Julie Kuntz expresses her concern about the lack of mandated funding for a turbine removal at the end of their useful life. It was my understanding that it is standard business practice to have decommissioning provisions (funding for removal) in the contract of the wind farm, so I decided to do some research.
I contacted four separate windfarm site managers from 4 different companies. Each manager was able to confirm their site’s contracts did indeed include provisions for decommissioning. I also contacted a Wind Energy Expert with over 25 years of experience. He confirmed that in site contracts “There are always provisions for decommissioning.” I then contacted EDF Renewables, the company that developed the Golden Plains windfarm by Buffalo Center and Rake. They provided me with this quote: “EDF Renewables develops using company best practices that strike the right balance between project efficiency but still allow us to be a good steward to the landowner/community. While we must adhere to all applicable federal, state and local requirements, we do develop using our own internal best management practices if the requirements are not up to our company standard. During the permitting process, local jurisdictions have the ability to require a decommissioning plan for wind projects, documenting how equipment is removed following the end of the project’s operation. Additionally, our commitment to restore land is included in our agreements with our landowners. EDF’s decommissioning plans and landowner agreements typically specify that all physical material related to the wind farm will be removed to a depth of 48” (ensuring all surface equipment is removed following the end of the project’s operation), the land will be restored to its original condition prior to installation, and commitment that the work will be completed within a term of 9 months following the project’s retirement. In addition, the agreement will include terms to ensure this work can be completed regardless of the project’s ownership, such as setting aside funds during operations to pre-fund this expense.”
From this research, I found that Wind Development Companies are committed to having funds available for turbine decommissioning (removal). Wind Development Companies will not be leaving a legacy of rusty, broken down turbines in Iowa corn fields.
I am a graduate of the Lake Mills Community School class of 2005. In 2008, I became a Wind Technician working on the Barton, Joice (Top of Iowa), and Thompson (Winnebago) windfarms performing various duties while the turbines were under warranty. I then moved to Illinois in 2009 to continue my career when the warranty period was nearing its end.  In 2010, I secured a permanent position at the windfarm in Lakefield, Minn. With the position in Lakefield, I was able to move my family within an hour of my parents who live just north of Lake Mills; and I continue a highly productive and beneficial career. I would love to see new Wind Energy opportunities for others in the area.
Adam Hengesteg
Fairmont, Minn.