Wind arguments at Neosho county continue to be heated

Debate over a proposed electrical generation project got even more heated at the Neosho County Commission meeting Thursday.

The residency of former Commissioner Jennifer Orr, who resigned March 28, continued to be an issue and some opponents criticized the Chanute Tribune, Parsons Sun and the reporter individually.

Discussion continued on the Neosho Ridge project, a wind-powered electrical generation area on 44,000 acres in southwest Neosho County with 139 electrical generator towers.

Critic Kim Norris said project opponents have been portrayed as bullies by developer Apex Clean Energy, Commissioner David Bideau, former Commissioner Jennifer Orr and news coverage.

“I am mad that a corrupt company may succeed in Neosho County,” Norris said. She said Apex will say and do anything.

“Greed is the one and only reason to build them,” Norris said.

She speculated that Bideau would get campaign funding from Apex to run for higher office.

“What are you getting out of this?” she asked.