Response to Selectman Daley letter

To the Editor:

Next Tuesday will be your day, as Dixfield citizens, to tell us and our selectmen your wishes on commercial wind power.

Last week, a letter to the editor by Selectman Daley called into question the procedures and legalities of the upcoming municipal vote.

The letter seems to be designed to throw this town into a state of confusion and to "muddy the waters."

This letter is accusatory and misleading. Citizens should know the town's attorney has been involved in all our proceedings leading up to this vote -- from the clerk putting the wind power questions on the ballot to the signing of the warrant. The attorney's reasoning was in writing and in our hands during the whole discussion on the ballot and the signing of the election warrant.

In each case legal advice was followed by us. Selectman Daley just doesn't agree with the advice we were given.

When we had a public hearing in May 2012 on the wind ordinance you'll be voting on, it was agreed by all to let the people speak in November, when 1,000 or more people will vote, not just the 50 or 60 who show up at town meeting. We all know the proposed ordinance is not perfect; it is, however, an ordinance that allows for commercial wind farms to be developed and regulated by Dixfield and the State of Maine.

A "yes" vote on the ordinance is a vote for wind. Should the ordinance pass, the technical changes will be made and presented to the citizens for a vote. No wonder Selectman Daley is doing everything in his power to prevent the vote in November -- he doesn't want to hear the whole town speak, only those who he can get to come to a special town meeting.

We both have been very clear about our positions. If you vote "yes" on the ordinance, the town will allow regulated commercial wind energy projects. If you vote "no," we will pursure an ordinance banning commercial wind from town. We have said we want to have the vote in November, a presidential election when we traditionally get the highest turnout. It is an opportunity that only comes every four years. Bob and I value and respect the whole town's opinion.

On a last note, both Bob and I support Norine Clarke for selectman. She has the best interests of the town at heart. She has no special agenda and is not controlled by any special interest group. We hope you will support her as well.

Malcolm Gill,

Dixfield

Bob Withrow,

Dixfield