MINUTES
GOLDEN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 10,2005


7:00 PM Meeting called to order 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. 

Roll call was taken: Present: Carl Fuehring, Bill Kolenda, Helen Lefler, Avery Wilson, Brad 
Whitney, Steve Marciniak. Absent: Leo Terryn & Terry Wiegand. 

During this meeting The Golden Township Commission received information concerning Wind 
Power from speakers. Questions were only allowed from the Commission but cards were 
distributed to the audience to write their questions and comments on to be answered at a later 
time. 

The first speaker was Steve Schnell who is Community Development Director for the Village of 
Mackinaw City. Schnell discussed why their community chose wind power. They started with 2 
900kw turbines and then added a third. Each one powers approximately 250 homes. Schnell 
discussed their lease and research from birth defects of dogs to ice breaking off of the blades. 
In regards to the tourist industry, they haven’t had any visitors who have complained about the 
turbines. The community has benefitted form the taxes. Schnell welcomed anyone to come to 
Mackinaw and see them or contact him via e-mail at village@mackinawcity.org. 

Dick Walsworth who is a farm owner and operator in Golden Township discussed the 
importantance of learning all the facts and information before making a decision. Walsworth 
stated that there are only 4 farmers in the area that make their living from farming alone. 
Walsworth asked that the community make their decision only on the facts. 

Eric Herrygers, who is the President of the Oceana County Farm Bureau, stated that the price of 
electricity will go up 11% and Great Lakes Energy’s contract will be up next year so they will 
have to negotiate on prices. Herrygers then read the state energy policy for Michigan Farm 
Bureau which encourages renewable resources, such as wind and solar energy. He then 
presented a video on the turbines and green energy. 

Bob Evans, Member Manager of Michigan Wind Energy, who’s company has been trying to 
develop wind projects in Michigan for about 3 years spoke next. They have found that the most 
difficult task is to pass all the land use arguments and the availability to get a power purchase 
agreement. He also discussed how high the price of energy has become and how it will continue 
to increase. Evans referenced a article at www.nationalgeographic.com. 

Dodie Stark, a concerned citizen and Real Estate Agent, provided a packet and websites and a 
video from a Mackinaw City resident who video taped the flicker effect in his home. She also 


provided a video of locals having sleeping problems from the noise. The locals also felt that they 
were misled on taxes and property value of homes decreased. They were also led to believe that 
many more jobs were going to be created in the community and less than 4 employees run the 
power plant. 

Thomas Darga, Principal and Owner of Interlake Associates, President and Owner of ABG 
Engineering, former Leelanau Planning Commissioner and former Vice President of Lake 
Leelanau Lake Association, discussed how the flicker effect would not last but 20 minutes a day 
for a particular season and the amount of flicker will not effect someone with epilepsy. He also 
discussed that airborne illness is caused by 70% dependance on coal. He states that Michigan is 
the 14th windiest state in the US and should embrace that. 

Debra Rowe, Professor of Business and Environmental Systems Technology at Oakland 
Community College, began by “clarifying” the videos presented by Dodie Stark calling them 
anecdotal evidence which should not be used to make decisions. She also stated that the sounds 
from the videos are not accurate wind turbines. She discussed the health issues from coal 
burning. She also stated that per unit of fossil fuel in only a fraction output comes out, wind 
power plants give out 35 times the output as fossil fuel. She feels that if we do not move toward 
conservation and renewable resources we will loose any distinct competitive advantage in this 
country. Rowe also stated that power plants will not create lots of jobs, as they only need 1 or 2 
electricians. She stated that at some point you need to stop researching and just trust you gut. 

With nothing further to bring to the board the meeting was adjourned at 9:15PM.