Comments on: Anti-windfarm group to recount numbers in petition after errors are spotted http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2009/07/01/anti-windfarm-group-presents-petition-with-3600-signatures-to-council Established on the Internet in 1996. Published in Shetland Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:07:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jackie http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2009/07/01/anti-windfarm-group-presents-petition-with-3600-signatures-to-council/comment-page-1#comment-53 Jackie Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:21 +0000 http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/?p=1007052#comment-53 I would entirely agree with Laura. Windmills have a beauty all of their own. I don't mind windmills and electricity poles are more ugly if you notice them. Most people don't, and it would be the same with windmills. I live here. I want a future for my kids here, after oil begins to run out. A lot of people will be very cross if Sustainable Shetland are responsible for putting the 'Kybosh' on this project. I would entirely agree with Laura. Windmills have a beauty all of their own. I don’t mind windmills and electricity poles are more ugly if you notice them. Most people don’t, and it would be the same with windmills. I live here. I want a future for my kids here, after oil begins to run out. A lot of people will be very cross if Sustainable Shetland are responsible for putting the ‘Kybosh’ on this project.

]]> By: Magnus Paterson http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2009/07/01/anti-windfarm-group-presents-petition-with-3600-signatures-to-council/comment-page-1#comment-52 Magnus Paterson Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:47:59 +0000 http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/?p=1007052#comment-52 Although I'm only a visitor to Shetland (albeit many times over 56 years) I signed the petition as the wind factory would destroy an area of outstanding natural beauty and have an immediate impact on Shetland's biodiversity. As we will have to continue with conventional generation for when the wind isn't blowing, or is blowing too hard, I'm quite happy to continue to have a nuclear plant (Torness) a few miles from my home, rather than see Shetland's wild areas damaged beyond recognition. Although I’m only a visitor to Shetland (albeit many times over 56 years) I signed the petition as the wind factory would destroy an area of outstanding natural beauty and have an immediate impact on Shetland’s biodiversity. As we will have to continue with conventional generation for when the wind isn’t blowing, or is blowing too hard, I’m quite happy to continue to have a nuclear plant (Torness) a few miles from my home, rather than see Shetland’s wild areas damaged beyond recognition.

]]> By: Laura http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2009/07/01/anti-windfarm-group-presents-petition-with-3600-signatures-to-council/comment-page-1#comment-47 Laura Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:17:57 +0000 http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/?p=1007052#comment-47 I think that the people who have signed that petition should be made to live without electricity for one month and then see what they think about having wind power. Electricity runs everything that people love in these modern ages. But they can’t stand to have it in their back garden. But they are quite happy for people in such places as Grangmouth to have to live next to coal fired power stations. I think that it is disgusting that people who demand everything won’t have a green powered wind farm which is on land which is unused next to them. I think that the people who have signed that petition should be made to live without electricity for one month and then see what they think about having wind power. Electricity runs everything that people love in these modern ages. But they can’t stand to have it in their back garden. But they are quite happy for people in such places as Grangmouth to have to live next to coal fired power stations. I think that it is disgusting that people who demand everything won’t have a green powered wind farm which is on land which is unused next to them.

]]> By: James Stewart http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2009/07/01/anti-windfarm-group-presents-petition-with-3600-signatures-to-council/comment-page-1#comment-46 James Stewart Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:56:58 +0000 http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/?p=1007052#comment-46 I have avoided writing anything about the windfarm debate because I haven't looked properly at the arguments for either side, and realistically, I won't be living in Shetland once I gradute due to lack of opportunities in my preferred line of work so I don't know how relevant my opinion is. Currently 17391 people are eligible to vote in Shetland, so thats over 13000 individuals who haven't signed the petition and could realistically vote on the issue. Is 20% of the electorate having the majority say in any way a sign of a functioning democracy? I think the council need to call a referendum, where people can express their views via secret vote to settle this issue. To me, Shetland represents a peaceful, united community, but I know I'm not the only one who can't help but feel that the community in Shetland has broken in recent years due to arguments over over Mareel, the new AHS and the windfarm. I have avoided writing anything about the windfarm debate because I haven’t looked properly at the arguments for either side, and realistically, I won’t be living in Shetland once I gradute due to lack of opportunities in my preferred line of work so I don’t know how relevant my opinion is.

Currently 17391 people are eligible to vote in Shetland, so thats over 13000 individuals who haven’t signed the petition and could realistically vote on the issue. Is 20% of the electorate having the majority say in any way a sign of a functioning democracy?

I think the council need to call a referendum, where people can express their views via secret vote to settle this issue. To me, Shetland represents a peaceful, united community, but I know I’m not the only one who can’t help but feel that the community in Shetland has broken in recent years due to arguments over over Mareel, the new AHS and the windfarm.

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