Letters to the editor - July 29, 2010

Disagrees

Gordon Forgey is incorrect when he states that my fifth recall charge against Partch and O’Neill concerns a policy decision.

Partch, O’Neill and Largent have knowingly failed to perform a duty that is imposed by law, which is a violation of their oath of office.

I have not charged the commissioners with making bad policy.

I have charged Partch and O’Neill with conducting County business outside of the public view, which is against the law; and with violating their oath of office.

It is difficult to explain a complex issue in a few words, but I will try:

County Commissioners must protect the public health.

Specifically, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA, RCW 43.21C.020) requires the County Commissioners to “use all practicable means to … assure safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings” to the citizens of Whitman County.

At the crux of the matter is whether or not high levels of low frequency noise pollution are threats to the public health.

There is certainly enough peer reviewed evidence on the public record to demonstrate that prudence in addressing low frequency noise pollution is required.

Low frequency means “usually inaudible.”

It is not what you hear that will hurt you.

It is what you do not hear that will hurt you.

Low frequency means long wavelengths that travel far and easily penetrate houses and people.

A heavy bombardment of these long wavelengths going through one’s body is bothersome to the point where a person cannot sleep without the use of drugs.

Lack of sleep destroys health.

Why not put a limit on something we know is harmful?

Currently it is legal in Whitman County to dump 70 decibels of low frequency noise pollution onto a home.

Is that right or is that wrong?

We know for a fact that high levels of low frequency noise pollution will cause harm.

Therefore, in order to “assure” “safe, healthful surroundings” the County Commissioners must outlaw high levels of low frequency noise pollution when implementing zoning for giant industrial machines that are proven to be emitters of low frequency noise.

Failure to perform a duty that is imposed by law is not a “policy decision”; it is a violation of the oath of office.

Roger Whitten,

Oakesdale

Enough already

The incessant wind energy and associated protests mounted by Roger Whitten and Rick and Carolyn Kiesz have reached the breaking point for me… as they say, enough already!

Roger claims all of his protesting is about the “immorality” of 40 dB “low frequency noise pollution.” ...

let’s see, a 40 dB sound level is that of “a quiet room”, that being 1/10 the 50 dB sound level of “moderate rainfall”…and “low frequency noise pollution”… a cursory review of literature suggests this is a very elusive topic; low-frequency noise is audible to only about 2 percent of the population, and most of those over 50 years old.

The conclusion is advanced that people who hear the “mysterious noise” suffer from a physiological condition that makes their hearing hyper-sensitive at some point in their lives.

None of this looks like the problem Roger makes it out be.

Otherwise the three protesters have left the impression they have superior perspectives on matters of wind energy, Whitman County planning, and our Whitman County society and government in general, have accused all manner of our public officials of conflicts of interest, have labeled County officials as arrogant (that appears to be the pot calling the kettle black), and have mounted a recall action toward two of our County Commissioners, a time and money wasting process based on dubious contentions.

Everyone is entitled to free speech and raising concerns, but the Kiesz-Whitten diatribe has far exceeded those bounds, attacking with insubstantial basis the months and years-long efforts of assorted dedicated and well-meaning County citizens and officials involved with planning and policy making. Now via this recall action we County citizenry have the opportunity to fund this nonsense through the legal process the County Commissioners will pursue. And it’s not as if the County Commission doesn’t already have enough on their plate with this County finance situation. Latest reports suggest they are finally getting resolved.

The reported “very positive” turnout involving “dozens” in Oakesdale on July 15 suggests I’m probably not alone in my position on this.

Doug Willcox,

Palouse