frogenyozurt

Today’s edition of the local Greenfield newspaper, The Recorder, provided yet another intriguing insight on the Greenfielder’s psyche. The Greenfielder’s focus these days is on the proposed biomass plant, a facility that would burn wood in order to generate electricity. Naturally, there are valid environmental concerns, but my focus is on observing the Greenfielder’s struggle with the proposed idea. The Greenfielder is per default not afraid to use any possible weaponry to fight changes in his environment, including lying, and now even throw their children into the battle.

Let me quote a reader’s letter to the newspaper: “I am outraged by the idea of bringing biomass into Greenfield. I beg that you read this letter with the respect I deserve and see my side of the story.  Did you know that it takes 22 trees to produce the amount of oxygen one human consumes in a lifetime? Or that the rainforest is being destroyed? Do we want to be like the rainforest or do we want to be the survivors?  If this has something to do with money, I am ashamed that our local Greenfield government would stoop so low. Money is the root of all evil. If this is related to getting off oil, it makes no sense at all to avoid oil because it pollutes the air and is running out and use trees and eliminate the air all together. I’m offended that such an important decision wasn’t voted on by the entire town of Greenfield. I feel as my opinion doesn’t count.  Also because I am proud to say … I’m only 12 years old. I am part of the next generation and we will feel the greatest impact on this massive decision. Those five Zoning Board members will never face what we will face and they don’t know how it feels to have a fait decided for them.  I think instead of biomass you should put money toward going off the grid. You should use solar panels, windmills and hydropower! …”

I am far away from contradicting the opinion of a 12 year old, but knowing the Greenfielder’s workings I also think that Mommy and Daddy had something to do with it.

First, there is the demand that the entire town should vote on the topic, which is a very typical Greenfielder demand. The Greenfielder is very skilled in mobilizing voters for their cause and defeat the silent (and unresponsive) majority. The election of the current mayor is a great example of how a minority dominates town politics in such way (The new mayor had promised to listen to “every opinion” - especially to those of the Greenfielder).

Secondly, there is the attack on the Zoning Board members who approved the biomass plant. The Greenfielder was present during all board meetings, and he made his opinion very clear by accusing the board members of being incompetent and even yelling at them. When the time came to listen to proponents of the project, the Greenfielder left the room and called the board members “inept”, because they “refused to hear all sides”.

Then there is the demand for “going off the grid” and use solar panels, windmills, and hydropower. In all reality, the average Greenfielder cannot afford solar power for his home, and he would fight any proposals to build an electricity producing power plant based on solar technologies. The average Greenfielder still uses oil or, in view of rising oil prices, wood to heat his hardly insulated house in the winter, releasing the fumes unfiltered into the air.

Greenfield does not have the resources for sufficient hydropower, and while the idea of windmills is appealing, the Greenfielder would yet again fight any such project, mostly due to the visual impact. What the heck! Even Edward Kennedy fights windmills, because they obstruct his view on the ocean from his humble home on Cape Cod.

The only viable solution for the Greenfielder is the Yankee nuclear power plant in Vermont, just a few miles North of town. After all, this is Vermont, and it will not affect us environmentally… or does it?

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