LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR

Wind farm recusal

To the editor:

I had the opportunity to observe the Marion County planning commission Thursday.

I was appalled to witness a level of corruption and ignorance for what is right, open, and fair that rivals the current mess in Minnesota.

A planning commissioner [David Mueller], who is widely known to be a paid spokesman and representative for wind energy, was seated with the board for the entire wind discussion.

That just doesn’t seem right. While I appreciate that this commissioner attended the meeting, I am puzzled why he didn’t have the integrity or decency to recuse himself from the meeting when agenda Item 5 [regarding wind farms] was reached.

Why didn’t he have the courage to say out loud: “I am recusing myself from this decision due to a conflict of interest,” and then get up and leave his seat?

A judge who recuses himself or herself from a court case doesn’t attend the proceedings.

What most folks don’t understand is that the planning commission, when considering a text amendment to regulations, is serving in a quasi-judicial capacity. Therefore, it is of upmost importance to proceed with an exceptional level of openness, honesty, and transparency.

The mere presence of that commissioner remaining in his seat casts a shadow on the proceedings.

Planning commission bylaws direct that Robert’s Rules of Order should guide the meetings. Robert’s Rules directs a member to declare his or her recusal before discussion begins and to leave the meeting.

Commissioner Mueller may argue that he abstained from the vote, but the key point he is missing is that abstention is not sufficient when a conflict of interest is involved.

I applaud and commend the nine other planning commissioners, who carried out their duties without a conflict of interest.

These nine individuals had an open debate. My impression of tarnished proceedings has nothing to do with the actions of the nine commissioners.

Sadly, it just takes one corrupt individual to compromise the public’s trust. Marion County deserves better — but like Minnesota, corruption runs deeper.

Did anyone else catch the wind developer whispering her opinions of the proceedings to county commissioner David Crofoot during the entire meeting? What kind of influence was she wielding?

Marion County, it’s time to speak up to demand open, honest, and transparent dealings by all county officials — before your rights are blown away by big wind.

Anne Smith