Welcome to Save Our ShermanGiving Residents a Voice Against Big Wind Since 2008 SAVE OUR SHERMAN WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SHERMAN TOWNSHIP TO SAFEGUARD MAJORITY RULE NEWS FROM NEARBY ANOTHER MCBAIN RESIDENT SPEAKS OUT: A MCBAIN LEASEE TELLS THE TRUTH ABOUT LIVING WITH TURBINES UPDATE 5.26.2014: Wiltzer-Heritage Sustainable Wind Turbine Syndrome Lawsuit Settled Out of Court, reputedly for at least $1,000,000.00. This was to avoid the health/medical information from coming out in court.  SOS first warned about Wind Turbine Syndrome in 2009. The Wiltzers sued Heritage Sustainable to turn off the turbines within a one-mile radius. They (or anyone else) couldn't live in their home because of the extreme infrasound (low frequency sound). Experts, including Rick James, who came to measure and spent the night there, said it was one of the worst they had ever encountered. Marty Lagina, who owns Heritage Sustainable, offered the Wiltzer a buy-out, but they wanted their home back, so they rejected the first buy-out. SOS was told that the Wiltzers received a "good" settlement. That generally means Heritage paid fair market value for their home, paid their legal bills, gave them some moving costs, and perhaps gave them a cash settlement as well. Heritage does not have to shut down its turbines or admit wrong-doing. Most important, none of the evidence of WTS came out in court. This is why lawsuits against developers are almost always settled out of court for large amounts of money: to prevent a legal precedent. The Zeiglers, another family in McBain bothered by a different turbine, are luckier: they can't use their yard anymore and have had to put in air-conditioning and triple-pane windows because of the audible screams, squeeks, whines, groans, thumps, and other sounds. They do not yet, however, have WTS. The Wiltzers hired Susan Topp, the environmental attorney from Gaylord, Michigan, to represent them against Heritage Sustainable Energy. Sherman Township officers brought in "ringers" (dishonest speakers) to tell people turbines didn't make noise and there was no such thing as Wind Turbine Syndrome and, even if there were, it wouldn't be a problem. Many were farmers who signed leases with gag clauses, or their relatives, and they are required to say positive things about turbines. They were also paid by wind developers to attend meetings and harass and threaten people who spoke against wind development. Save Our Sherman paid both James and Topp to speak in Sherman, against township officers' wishes. Rick James was illegally denied use of the township hall. Susan Topp saw her 20 minutes speaking time during a Planning Commission meeting cut in half when she arrived after driving from Gaylord. Planning Commission Chair Moesta says he doesn't believe in "experts." For more on Wind Turbine Syndrome: HEALTH EFFECTS OF WIND TURBINES
THE BEST SUMMARY OF WIND DEVELOPMENT IN MICHIGAN: Michigan's Renewable Portfolio Standard Declared Unconstitutional: WHO IS SAVE OUR SHERMAN? We are a volunteer group dedicated to giving residents of Sherman Township, Osceola County, Michigan, and others honest answers about wind development. At this site you will find information about the health effects of wind development, its effects on property values, and on wildlife. Many pages at this site have attachments with detailed information. We believe Sherman Township residents deserve complete information to make our own decisions about legislation that affects our lives. We believe Sherman Township officers are elected to represent the interests of all the people of Sherman. When a conflict occurs, we believe officers should follow the wishes of the majority, even if it denies the officers' future financial gain. SAVE OUR SHERMAN WELCOMES YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS. ANONYMOUS LETTERS WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED Paid for with regulated funds by Save Our Sherman, 15075 County Line Road, Tustin, Michigan 49688.  Turbine fire in forested country like Sherman Township.
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UPDATE: THIRD REFERENDUM STILL LIKELY Save Our Sherman has spent countless hours over the past eight years attempting to compromise with township officials on wind development. Almost two years ago SOS brought in samples of Property Value Protection Agreements to add to the proposed zoning. Sherman officers refused to add a PVPA because, of course, wind developers hate them. Officers then threw a Hail Mary pass and sent the PVPA proposal to the Michigan Attorney General, who refused to rule and threw it back to them. Save Our Sherman then agreed with township officers’ suggestion to simply remove all mention of utility-grade wind zoning from the proposed zoning, which will NOT, everyone discovered, allow wind turbines everywhere and anywhere. The ONLY uses permitted in the zoning are those mentioned in the zoning. If there is no mention or listing, the use is not permitted. We consulted with our attorney many times on this, and our attorney is an expert on Michigan zoning law. She checked and rechecked the law to be sure. Apparently township officers thought they would slip a fast one over on SOS by removing the clause, and then discovered, to their dismay, that they had outlawed turbines. At that point, the amendments began. Well, they would agree to removing any mention of turbines, BUT, etc., etc. Once again, they tried TRICKY ZONING. Again! One would think they would finally understand it won’t wash. Sherman officers have dithered about wind turbines since voters removed the last tricky zoning in 2012. They have spent our tax money to dither. A Third Referendum looks increasingly likely. And then a Fourth Referendum after that. Sherman officers know that the more votes they face, the more likely they are to win. And then development will follow and many people will be unhappy. Who will be to blame? Sherman Township residents who refused to elect new officers and who refuse to run for office. New Video from Sanilac County in Michigan's Thumb. If you like to hunt, you may want to watch this: The Board meeting was videotaped on 10 November. Township officers were confronted about their attorney's failure to work respectfully and responsibly with the SOS attorney, as well as other problems they have created. Here is the video: Township officers still refuse to share their attorney's opinion on Property Value Protection Agreements. Apparently it said PVPAs were fine and would stop wind development. After the meeting, one of the Board members confronted Harvey Langworthy in the kitchen and screamed at him. Ah yes, that's Sherman's oh-so professional Board! If you don't like what you hear, scream at the person! How much longer should voters endure the Board's practices of extreme disrespect for voters who disagree with them, or anyone who dares to speak out, the constant secrecy about information, the intimidation of voters by officers and their families, and the Board's apparent dishonesty? REMINDER: Sherman STILL does not have an ethics policy because Eggle refuses to adopt one. EARLIER UPDATES The 100% Pro-Wind Planning Commission voted to accept wind zoning without a Property Value Protection Agreement. The zoning accepted by the PC on July 7 will not protect against wind development because the Zoning Board of Appeals can overturn any "dimensional" provision. Not surprisingly, those are the ONLY anti-wind development provisions in the zoning. On September 15, Eggle closed the Board meeting to review his attorney's opinion on PVPAs. When he reopened it, he refused to disclose the attorney's opinion, or to report the discussion in the meeting. Taxpayers paid for the attorney's opinion, but we are not allowed to see it. Eggle is now sending the PVPA to the Michigan Attorney General for another opinion on PVPAs. If Eggle refuses to add a PVPA, he will face a Third Referendum. If Eggle adds a PVPA, it will stop wind development. Almost every elected officer, plus every officer and committee member appointed by Eggle , is either pro-wind or can profit from wind development. Here is what township officers would receive in initial payments for allowing turbine development on their lands. (They would also make income each month): Eggle Family: At least $200,000.00 Pete Nemish: At least $75,000.00 Don Akers: At least $25,000.00 Bethany Bolduc and Family: At least $50,000.00 Sharon Black and Family: At least $75,000.00 Amy Martin: At least $150,000.00 Eggle is now desperately searching for a way out. If he can tell Referendum voters that PVPAs are illegal or will cause a lawsuit by developers (both false), then he can argue that the current zoning must be adopted. This will ensure wind development for Sherman Township. Conflict of interest? The developers have instructed township officers that if they wait two or three years after the zoning passes before putting turbines on their lands, there can be no legal action for conflict of interest. So, if they can get the proposed "tricky" zoning adopted, they can bring in turbines, make money, and never be held responsible. But wait! Eggle likes to say that he would "never put turbines on his granddaddy's farm." Honest answer: The Eggle Family owns nearly 2000 acres. His "granddaddy's farm" was about 100 acres. Slick. Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth. For more on zoning, go to ZONING AND THE LAW Forbes, the business magazine, just published a study on property values and wind turbines: "Many members of the Real Estate and Appraisal businesses, however, have been clear that wind power DOES impact property values, and it would seem to me that these groups have no vested interest in supporting wind power or not supporting it. So, these findings are critical:
Follow the link below for the entire article: WIND DEVELOPMENT IN SHERMAN TOWNSHIP Get Ready for A Third Referendum on Wind Zoning Find an analysis of township officers' proposed "tricky" zoning here: WHAT HAPPENS IF ZONING IS REPEALED AGAIN? WHY DOES EGGLE KEEP LYING TO THE PUBLIC? David Eggle, Sherman's Wizard of Oz Supervisor, gives out political spin to Jack Spence at Michigan Capital Confidential: http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19987 Here are the Honest Numbers: THE WALL OF SHAME At the November 2014 Township Board meeting, Eggle was asked: "Why, after the majority of residents in Sherman have voted four times against wind development, have you not insisted the Planning Commission write truly restrictive zoning that the ZBA can't overturn to make wind friendly?" Eggle refused to reply. He is now doing everything he can think of to get the proposed zoning passed without a Property Value Protection Agreement, which would stop wind development. The most recent Freedom of Information Act request was stonewalled by township officers. In order to know how much money is being spent and for what, or what township officers are discussing outside of meetings, voters must file FOIA requests. They are then charged hundreds of dollars in "expenses," and much information is blacked out under the guise of "attorney-client privilege." Eggle does not want voters to know what township officers are doing. He uses every legal means to avoid giving out information. NEW WEBPAGE  "You probably don't want wind turbines in unique and pristine places" Steve Rawlings, DTE Energy NEW MEMBERS ON THE WALL OF SHAME TOWNSHIP LOSES TWO LEGAL ACTIONS: HOW WOULD SHERMAN LOOK WITH TURBINES? Township officers and developers could easily make photographs of how Sherman's high ridges would look with turbines, but they don't want us to see what would happen. For a preview, here are some photographs from developments on other ridges around the US: 
Turbine clear-cut  REMEMBER: SHERMAN TOWNSHIP IS NOT FLAT LIKE MCBAIN Our ridges and hills will make noise travel farther and cause more problems with clear-cuts, access roads, and heavy transportation. SHERMAN TOWNSHIP NEEDS HONEST INTELLIGENT RESPECTFUL TOWNSHIP OFFICERS The referendums will continue until township officers are replaced. | "DOWNWIND" This Canadian video is the most recent, most thorough investigation of wind power to date. THE NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF LIVING WITH TURBINES SCIENTISTS REVIEW HUNDREDS OF STUDIES ON WINDTURBINES AND "HUMAN DISTRESS": A group of researchers did a systematic search for medical, scientific articles on wind turbines and "human distress," which means Wind Turbine Syndrome, hated shadow flicker, noise annoyance, sleeplessness, etc. All the research was "peer reviewed," which means other scientists tried to find something wrong with it before it accepted for publication in scientific journals. This is rigorous research--not something somebody pulled off the internet. The researchers identified 154 studies and concluded that: "In this review, we have demonstrated the presence of reasonable evidence (Level Four and Five) that an association exists between wind turbines and distress in humans. The existence of a dose-response relationship (between distance from wind turbines and distress) and the consistency of association across studies found in the scientific literature argues for the credibility of this association." The researchers found "human distress" even when people made money from turbines: "People in the studies who benefited economically from wind turbines had a decreased risk of distress but not a complete elimination of distress. Furthermore, the fact that the level of distress could be altered with financial compensation only speaks to the existence of distress. WISCONSIN WIND DEVELOPMENT DECLARED HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH “I can tell you that we are absolutely not an anti-wind energy board,” Tibbetts said. “We worked on this for four and a half years before making this decision. Three families have moved out. I knew all of them. We also know that this isn’t only happening here. In Ontario 40 families have abandoned their homes to get away from the effects of wind turbines.” Jay Tibbets, M. D. THE LATEST RESEARCH ON THE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS OF TURBINES BY TWO EXPERTS: Part 1 Jerry Punch and Rick James NEW US GOVERNMENT-FUNDED REPORT ON HEALTH EFFECTS with a sound recording of a turbine A DOCTOR TESTIFIES ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF WIND TURBINE SYNDROME IN VERMONT AN OBJECTIVE DISCUSSION OF THE EFFECTS OF WIND TURBINES ON PEOPLE FROM SOMEONE WHO WON THE QUEEN'S PRIZE IN ONTARIO FOR HER RESEARCH: HOW WIND TURBINES CAN MAKE US AND OUR ANIMALS VERY SICK: DR. JERRY PUNCH ON ZONING AND TURBINES: LOTS OF VIDEOS ABOUT LIVING WITH WIND TURBINES: http://www.wind-watch.org/video-meyersdale.php CONFUSED ABOUT SHADOW FLICKER? "Readying Michigan to Make Good Energy Decisions: Renewable Energy" Michigan Public Service Commission, 2013 “Our results suggest that utility-scale wind energy generation is not without adverse health impacts on nearby residents” and recommend that “on the basis of our data, suggest that setback distances need to be greater than 2 km [1.24 miles] in hilly terrain.” For more from the MPSC report, go to: HEALTH EFFECTS OF WIND TURBINES https://sites.google.com/site/saveoursherman/home/health-effects Read the full report: WIND INDUSTRY SAYS RURAL RESIDENTS DON’T HAVE RIGHTS TO PEACE AND QUIET WILDLIFE AND TURBINES THE LATEST RESEARCH ON DEER AND TURBINES: Golden Eagle injured by NEXTera turbines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAAzBArYdw&feature=related Wind Farms Kill Many More Birds Than Previously Thought: If you raise Christmas trees or timber or farm crops, bird kills around turbines will affect your profits. The Michigan DNR has changed its guidelines for collecting the bodies of birds killed by turbines: http://www.cadillacnews.com/news_story/?story_id=1808890&year=2013&issue=20130426 TURBINE FIRES   Turbine fire in Germany Industrial Wind Action: http://www.windaction.org/ |
