The Alexander Fireman's Rec Hall emptied both physically and emotionally Thursday night in an absurd informational meeting. I found it distressing on so many levels, I can hardly begin to deal with it.

Let's start with with my brief role as insider on Sunday, when I got a call just hours before a Concerned Citizen's meeting and was asked to attend and collaborate on the format of an upcoming informational meeting as well as to present on that occasion. I arrived at Sandra's house with notes, photos, ideas and some degree of excitement. I know that this group is a closed, select one. They have rejected others who wanted to help – it was for this very reason that I had never tried. I was invited to work with the elite anti-turbine group!

I arrived to find that Ray had appreciated my presentation to the Bethany Planning Board so much, he'd suggested I be put on the program. I was honored. As the organizational efforts went on, I had a good feeling about it. Sandra was explicit that the public meeting be neutral – neither pro nor con. She was also concerned that it be informational in nature. Chris, designated moderator, said something that bothered me at that time – that if people got up to comment, they needed to be allowed to continue speaking until they had 'emptied themselves.' Something inside me said that a general gripefest would ensue and that hours of people being allowed to simply say what's on their mind would derail the meeting, yet everyone else there seemed so positive and talked about the information to be presented, so I ignored it.

Now, fast forward to that very night. Alexander, and a packed hall. A good crowd, some clearly in favor of the turbines. A good chance to communicate and perhaps create some bridges.

The main presenter, John Servo, was negative. His presentation had nothing positive in it; members of the audience, when given the chance to respond, complained about that right away. I have to agree. There were no counterpoints, no neutral language, nothing. A few questions rolled, and Chris seemed to feel the need to defend the fact that wind company presenters and/or pro-wind folk were not present after having been invited. The questions and comments (most were comments rather than questions) dragged on and I needed to walk so I didn't fall asleep. I could hear sighs from the crowd and people shifting in their metal chairs. Some began to leave.

Finally, I heard Chris begin to read the names of the candidates and groups who came this evening. He started by announcing “We'd like to thank some of the people who were involved tonight,” at which point a number of folks, thinking these were the closing credits, began to leave. A couple in front of me whispered back and forth that “everything was too long.”

When Chris finished reading names, I thought I'd jump in and try to stop the exodus. My program was next on the list. Instead, he asked for more comments. Not on the schedule. Nor on the side of common sense. Person after person ranted about the turbines and what was or wasn't being done in their town while other persons left. Even the 50/50 raffle could no longer hold them. One couple handed me their tickets on the way out the door. Another man left his on the table. As people in the crowd “emptied themselves,” so did the hall. And yet the moderator let it continue, judging (apparently) that it was more important for folks to be allowed to vent than to build any bridges with the people leaving.

At last, he was stopped by someone else. So, he states, we have a conflict because we have two presentations remaining – Sue's and the lady from Bethany. Nice to know I have a name. Anyway, he bumped both of us to pull the raffle ticket. Having that result, more folks leave.

And then ... he'd like to introduce Sue. It was 10pm and Sue has a five-page letter that she's going to read. One which, Sandra noted on our Sunday meeting, is extremely well-written but unfortunately not a good verbal presentation. In a previous meeting it didn't keep the audience's interest. There are now more folk talking in the parking lot in small groups than there are inside.

I didn't stay for the end of the program.

On how many levels is this frustrating?

Organizationally

This group clearly has no organization. Ray once told me that everyone in the group is careful not to step on anyone else's toes. Unfortunately, it appears that not everyone in the group was on the same page. Sandra, Ray and I clearly wanted this to be a neutral informational session. Chris clearly wanted it to be a place where people could have group therapy. I can see not wanting to elect a Pope, but if one person does not take full responsibility for the content and direction of an event, it devolves into the kind of weirdness we saw Thursday night.

Lost Opportunities

When people are leaving before your program has ended, you do something – anything – to make them stay. You don't continue the status quo. How many folk left that night who might have been allies had they gotten the neutral information they wanted? It is neutral information that turns most people's heads about turbines. This standing-room-only opportunity was squandered away because no one held onto the crowd.

No Sales Savvy

This group either has no understanding of marketing/sales or doesn't care. For one thing, groups that calls themselves 'anti-' anything have rarely succeeded. It was Sandra's idea to bring John Servo in ... but he was patently anti. Not to mention that he lost – his town is getting turbines. Obviously the man is brilliant and his job gives him some credentials. Still, if you're choosing a salesperson, you like to choose one with a good track record.

You Never Get A Second Chance

I hope that most folks there don't remember my name in conjunction with this meeting. After the patently anti- presentation, followed by gripe after gripe, I doubt many folks who are pro-wind or undecided will put much stock in what the _Genesee County Concerned Citizens for Responsible Wind Power_ have to say. At this point, I'm not entirely sure I do.

Personally

I blew off the Bills-Miami game to attend a meeting on an hour's notice. I spent four days preparing a presentation to be just right to please Sandra and Ray. I offered and then prepared a couple of additional handouts and distributed a press release. I spent two days talking to my refridgerator instead of my kids.

Chris wouldn't say my name or my organization when announcing upcoming parts of the program. He never acknowledged that I was an invited speaker. When it came for my part in the program, he came up with questions, raffles, general statements that he chose to make, other presenters -- one thing after another that just had to come first. Most of us call that procrastination and it happens in front of something you dread. I call it insulting.

I guess I'll no longer be invited to the elite anti-turbine meetings. Given the productivity of this meeting, I'm not sure it matters. On so many levels, this was the biggest waste of potential I've yet seen in the turbine struggle. I don't expect perfection in other people, particularly in a volunteer group. But I'm dumbfounded at the lack of clear, unifying vision and coordination in this one. If this is the way our anti-turbine groups are going to function ...

God help us.