Area wind turbines were a popular topic, mostly for their unpopularity at the listening session of state Sen. Howard Marklein (R–Spring Green) at the Legion Hall on Monday Feb. 3.

More than 40 people packed the Legion Hall on a windy, cold day to make their voices heard to the 17th Senate District senator, who was joined by 49th Assembly District Rep. Travis Tranel (R–Town of Hazel Green).

Concerns of those who spoke on already existing wind turbines, and the possibility of more coming into the area, included communication, health of those living near turbines , and the farm land the turbines are being built on.

A common cry of attendees was “We need to get our voices back.” Marklein and Tranel introduced a bill to require the approval of all cities, towns and villages within 90 days of a request for approval by a developer of a wind or solar farm. A board that chose to take no action would be considered a vote for approval under the bill.

One speaker stated that “we know how slow our government works; we would like that to become even 180 days, as many manipulates only meet once a month.”

Those sentiments were echoed by a woman who recently inherited her father’s farm near Montfort and stated the notifications he was receiving were few and not very timely. “We need to find out everything we can before it’s too late,” she said.

Possible health concerns of living near wind turbines were also a hot button issue.

Statistics were cited that up to 1 in 10 people living near wind turbines will suffer migraine headaches, nausea, vertigo, and anxiety, among other symptoms.

One woman said she lives in the Mount Hope are near the River Ridge School, which she estimated had 400 students, meaning 40 students who are put at “potential risk” if wind farms continue to expand.

Another said her family recently moved away from Montfort last June because her daughter was starting to experience vision issues and headaches. She said those have subsided since they moved to the Mount Ida/Fennimore area.

She also stated her concern of the land in general: “The Driftless is gone. I’ll put my body down in front of loader before another turbine goes up,” a statement met with applause.

Another expressed concern over maintenance and cleanup of the turbines, questioning what would happen during a strong wind storm or if one catches on fire. “We cleanup be guaranteed?” she asked. “What will the land look like in 30 years? We’re supposed to be leaving the land better than we found it.”

Another stated that as of now 317,000 acres of farmland could become areas for more turbines, which brought up the topic of out-of-state or foreign land owners in the area selling off their land without worrying about the ramifications for their neighbors.

“We don’t know who are neighbors are and they aren’t here see what these are doing to us,” one attendee said.

Other topics

Although the main focus, wind turbines weren’t the only issues/concerns brought to the attention of Marklein and Tranel during the more than hour-long listening session.

A few mentioned the state’s budget surplus, which many would rather see used for programs for young people such as affordable health care and child care.

Schools and school referendums also came up as many questioned why so many schools have had referendums in recent elections and our school systems and funding formula for school districts needed to be addressed.

One speaker even suggested tax credits for families instead of vouchers for home schooled or private school families.

The same speaker stressed school choice should be parents’ choice and not the government’s, which was again met with applause.

A nurse from the area also said there needs to be an increase in the “bridge” between responsible gun ownership and protecting ourselves from those who may do harm to themselves or others should they be in position of a firearm.

Marklein  thanked all those who attended the session, which went 15 minutes into “overtime,” saying it was a bigger turnout than that morning’s in Prairie du Chien.

Tranel said “many of the ideas that come from these listening sessions do become state laws.”