The recent letter from Brandon Bortner to the Cape Gazette on the offshore wind farm proposal goes a bit over the top when he accuses Orsted’s American representative, Joy Weber, of “bullying” Delawareans, most likely DNREC’s Shawn Garvin and the parks department’s Roy Bivens, who he suggests are puppets dancing to her string.
I had to laugh!
Ms. Weber is a soft-spoken, articulate speaker who listens carefully. The gentlemen from DNREC and parks have had years of experience negotiating deals.
This is not their first rodeo.
The hundreds of Delawareans who were at the Indian River meeting didn’t sound like they were bullied in the least, rather, those honest citizens expressed their opinions pro and con in loud, confident voices. It is fair to say that most people there opposed one aspect or another of the project. Ms. Weber has said on several occasions that she welcomes suggestions for improvements in their proposal.
I would ask, if not here, where? Anywhere else, people will say not in my residential neighborhood or not in the pristine Fenwick Island Park farther north. What is your suggestion?
So, can we tone down personal insults and focus on the issues?
I think most have come to the conclusion that, like the Rhode Island wind farm experience, tourism will benefit from the offshore wind farm and property values will not decrease, any more than the sight of offshore rusty cargo vessels or offshore low-flying planes with advertisements have driven tourists away. I think the wind turbines I have seen are beautiful, tall, slender and graceful with slowly moving blades. It reminds me of my Tai Chi class.
All that Orsted has done is put together a generous proposal for Delaware to consider. No one is forcing Delaware to accept $18 million in free upgrades to a dilapidated park. No one is advocating destroying any wetlands. Rather, the Orsted/Parks proposal is to enhance the parks’ environment features, improving the turtle nesting areas.
Denmark is a small country that is not bullying anyone. We should welcome their expertise and friendly people.
You can meet some of them and their American partners at the upcoming suppliers’ meeting, where they will discuss work/contracts needed, meaning more jobs for Delawareans. Attend the Tuesday, Feb. 11 meeting, 8:30 a.m to noon, at Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, 99 Hollywood Ave., Bethany Beach.
Charlie Garlow
Rehoboth Beach