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Canadian Company rep to meet with commissioners, protestors
A: Main, news
November 13, 2024
Canadian Company rep to meet with commissioners, protestors
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

Many county residents were surprised when they learned that Canadian-based Transalta Corporation was signing lease agreements with several landowners in McIntosh County for a wind turbine project. Leases were signed with 25 landowners around Lenna, Hanna and Stidham.

The project thus far covers 22,000 acres, where 121 wind turbines are planned.

Eventually, according to protestors, there could be 900 turbines that circle the county, the lake and parts of Pittsburg County.

The uproar began almost immediately and began spreading like wildfire a month ago – and the noise is growing louder.

Loud enough to be heard in Canada.

Transalta Corporation contacted county commissioners just before a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7 about the issue and said they will send a representative to meet with them and the pub- lic the week of Dec. 2.

“They are hearing what you all are doing. They’re watching the news and all and they are going to speak to us at the courthouse,” Chairman Robert Ziegler, District 3 Commissioner told more than 200 protestors.

Republican State Rep. Neil Hays (District-14), who resides in McIntosh County, was among them.

“I don’t want it here anymore than anyone else,” he said. “If you call my office, we will help anyway we can. We’re already doing everything we can at the state level.”

He said he called the Oklahoma Fish and Wildlife Department, and they didn’t know about the project.

The State and National Wildlife Services might be able to put a stop to the project if it impacts endangered species.

Hays also called the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and they didn’t know about it. The same with other agencies who might be enlisted to help pull the plug on the project before it gets underway.

He urged the protestors to continue the fight and to try to solve the problem locally.

“If we do it on the state level then it impacts all 77 counties,” he said. “And some counties want it.”

Hays said Transalta has not turned in any due-diligence reports on how their project might impact the environment, people, wildlife, water and livestock.

“They should not be able to put a shovel in the ground,” Hays said.

He said what is needed is a loophole.

“But you don’t want to over-regulate business. One reason they are in Oklahoma is we don’t strongly regulate business. If you don’t over-regulate them, they come here. We need to make it as tough as we can. Find 15 ways to make it difficult so they’ll say they don’t want to be here,” he said, District 1 Commissioner Loyal “Dean” Taylor, co-chairman, was among those taken aback by the massive project that threatens to change the face of the county.

“I hadn’t been elected when it all started,” Taylor said.

None of the commissioners were aware of the extent of what was happening, or when construction was going to begin.

But they received a quick education by those who learned about the project a month ago.

The commissioners have been inundated with protestors at three of their weekly Monday meetings and at a special meeting held at the Fairgrounds, specifically called to begin the process of forming a Zoning Committee to slow down or stop the project. But, the issue of a moratorium kept cropping up during the often-boisterous meeting. At each meeting, the number of attendees has increased dramatically.

Word has reached the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, equally surprised by the events. District 2 County Commissioner Monty Grider said he heard from the Nation and they would be monitoring the situation.

Principal Chief David W. Hill issued a formal statement Thursday.

“It has recently come to the attention of the Executive Office that a planned wind farm in McIntosh County has some citizens concerned,” he stated.

“Some of their concerns are environmental, and some are concerned that there was no formal consultation with the Muscogee Nation prior to such a large project being planned on our Reservation lands. Over the past few days, this office has gathered all the information we can and have talked to many of the citizens about their issues with the development.”

In addition to a moratorium in McIntosh County, calling for putting the project on hold for a year or more, protestors want a zoning committee that can create ordinances that will keep the construction crews and transportation off of county roads.

Attendees of the meetings have a long list of dozens of issues created by the wind turbines – ranging from health to environment to property values.

Several protestors have initiated a petition asking that the project be put to a vote of the people.

The line of people to sign the petition was long at the Nov. 7 meeting.

“We have 90 days from Nov. 4 to acquire 3,600 signatures,” said Dawn Stacy, one of those who started the petition.

A similar petition in Craig County was on the Nov. 5 general election ballot but it was defeated by 77.79 percent of the voters – 6,048 opposed it and 1,343 voted in favor.

However, there is a difference in the two petitions. The Craig County petition would have given county officials authority to set zoning regulations on private property in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Holdenville attorney John Baca, who created a moratorium for Hughes County similar to the one being sought by McIntosh County protestors, praised the protestors for what they are doing and urged them to stick together.

“Their plan is to divide you. Get you to fight amongst yourselves,” he said. “You guys are doing what you need to do …” The commissioners support the cause of the protestors, but they aren’t certain a moratorium will be enforceable, based upon the opinion of Associate District Attorney Greg Stidham.

Stidham is helping the commissioners create a zoning committee, which may have more effect. The committee, which will consist of three county employees and four other people, was to be discussed at the Nov. 12 commissioner meeting.

Grider said the moratorium and zoning committee may not be perfect.

“But it allows us time to study potential impacts.”

A moratorium would take place immediately.

Vivian area resident Brad Newport says stopping the project may be a matter of life and death for him.

“I have a pacemaker,” he said.

He also has an autistic son who could be affected by the flashing lights and the constant sound of the fans.

“We will have to move.”

Tim Turner, a Haskell County residence, takes office as State Representative for District 15 on Nov. 20. However, he was born and raised in McIntosh County and he’s a strong supporter of the protestors.

“We’re standing with you,” he said. “I’ve been to every meeting since this started. I appreciate our county officials. Whatever we can do, we’ll do.”

Turner said what many others have said, repeating one of the most dangerous economic impacts of the wind turbines.

“It’s going to affect our tourism,” he said. “Tourism is a $250 million a year industry here. If that goes away, what does it do to your tax base when tourists leave? We all have to stick together.”

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, sports
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
A: Main, news
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Eufaula City Council removed former Mayor Todd Warren from the Council Monday night citing excessive absences. City minutes of past meetings presented to the Council showed that Warren missed the ...
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
A: Main, news
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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Decades before Oklahoma became a state in 1907; years before the first railroad track was laid in Indian Territory in 1870 and the year the Civil War ended, folks in a remote area of what is now McInt...
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
A: Main, news
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
9/11 – Never Forget
A: Main, news
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
A: Main, news
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
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Margaret Marie Vickery Floyd has been named the 2025 Eufaula High School Homecoming Parade Marshall. Born in 1927 in Ramona, she is the fourth greatgranddaughter of Chief McIntosh, and the mother of f...
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Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Ironhead Homecoming Friday
September 10, 2025
The Homecoming Weekend kicks off Friday, Sept.12, with a Pep Assembly at the Eufaula High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 1 p.m. The coronation of Homecoming Royalty takes place...
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
A: Main, news
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and so the new coordinator of Eufaula Memorial Library is taking that opportunity to challenge the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library to a competition to see wh...
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
A: Main, news
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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Braddock Dobbs, 31, son of the late Margaret Dobbs, who was on the Eufaula School Board for 15 years, is following in his mother’s footsteps. Monday night, Aug. 8, at its monthly meeting, the Board ap...
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
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Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
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Former Army Sp4 Timothy Pickering of Eufaula was honored recently at the Driller Stadium in Tulsa as a “Hometown Hero,” a program that honors people who have had a lasting impact on the community. Pic...
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Flea Pop-Up Market
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Friday – Sunday, Sept.12-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 210 N. Main St. Booth rental available. Call Mr. Printer at 918-689-5998, Jani at 918-839-8494 or Ricky at 918-424-9961. Prices for all three days: ...
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