OPINION
DECEMBER 5, 2010
PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT
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SHREDDING THE CURTAIN
Prayers in Morenci Shifting winds around turbines
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orenci, just across the Michigan border, does not usually draw attention from its Ohio neighbors, and truth be told, its residents probably prefer it that way. Even in its own Lenawee County, Morenci attracts less notice than Adrian, Tecumseh, Blissfield, Hudson, Sand Creek and just about every other town in the region, and again, that is probably fine as far as its people are concerned. But the disappearance of three young brothers has brought national attention to the small community, for all the wrong and most horrific reasons. At press time, Morenci Sheriff Larry Weeks is preparing his community for the worst possible news. It is increasingly likely that Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner Skelton, 5, have been murdered, with their own father a potential suspect. fathers, our hearts break with prayers for Thomas F. POUNDS theseAsthree boys; in spirit, we join the thousands of Lenawee County residents who have hosted vigils and formed search groups. We have seen the many businesses that have used their marquees and signs to offer messages of hope for the safe return of the Skelton brothers. As a former editor in Adrian, Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller worked with Weeks on several stories. Weeks is an honorable and efficient officer and he has fronted this investigation and been its public face with the dignity and great leadership he is well-known for. Michael S. MILLER Tragedy and loss seem to hit harder during the holiday season, and the idea that the three Skelton brothers will not experience the childhood rush and thrill of the upcoming celebrations adds to the pain and heartache of this case. It is with great sadness that we send our prayers to the affected people of Lenawee County, while we hold out hope that there still may be a happy ending to this story. ■ Andrew Skelton, 9, is 4 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 57 pounds, and has brown eyes and hair. He was last seen wearing brown or black pajama pants with orange piping. ■ Alexander Skelton, 7, is 3 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 45 pounds; has brown eyes and hair and has scars at his hairline and on his chin. He was last seen wearing black pajama pants and a gray shirt. ■ Tanner Skelton, 5, is 3 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 40 pounds and has blue eyes and blond hair. He was last seen wearing camouflage pajama pants and a Scooby-Doo shirt. Police say any information about the missing boys should be reported by calling 911, the Morenci Police Department at (517) 458-2323 or Lenawee County Dispatch at (517) 263-0524. Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com. Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.
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lacing a wind turbine at Collins Park has been dis- to Johnson and Deichert that the city’s position was, “If you cussed for several years. In October it was still in- won’t work with us, we’ll just go to the Port and get it done.” Deichert said, “They did not use the exact words ‘emicluded with the solar array project; now it’s not. Who was blamed and what was said could be described as a soap nent domain,” what they basically said is ‘We are going to go over your head and take the land’.” opera, “As the Wind Turbine Turns.” The original offer made by the city to lease the five acres Legislation was presented to Toledo City Council on Nov. 26 for the proposed solar array at the Collins Park was less than what Midwest is paying the Lucas County Port water treatment plant. Sources within city government Authority for 2 acres. Midwest wanted to cover its costs. “We are a for-profit business; we didn’t destated that the wind turbine part of the project velop this property to just give it away,” Dewas dead because Midwest Terminals of Toichert said. ledo International wanted too much money After several weeks, a Port Authority for leasing land needed for an easement. member contacted Deichert to set a meeting Toledo Free Press contacted Alex Johnson, with Midwest and the city. Deichert said in CEO of Midwest, and John D. Walthall, manaddition to offering a lower lease price that ager of the water treatment plant, on Nov. 26. was slightly above what Midwest is paying per Via e-mail Nov. 26, Johnson said that Midacre, he also offered the option of leasing fewer west had been threatened with an eminent than 5 acres so Toledo could stay within the domain scenario. it had for property leasing. David Leffler, director of the Department Lisa Renee WARD budget That Nov. 5 meeting was the last that Midwest of Public Utilities, contacted Toledo Free Press on Nov. 28 by phone in response to our e-mail to Walthall. heard from the City of Toledo. Deichert was later told by a Port Leffler said “the project is still moving.” He said the city was member that the project had “gone cold” and that it did not appear the grant paperwork was going to be completed in time. seeking an easement from Midwest for transmission lines. The time frame of the remaining solar array part of the On the subject of eminent domain, Leffler first said that did not happen. When pressed, Leffler said, “Emi- project was discussed at a Nov. 30 agenda review. IPS Ennent domain might have been casually mentioned, but ergy Ventures LLC, the private company that Toledo and the Port Authority are partnering with, must have 5 pernot threatened.” Toledo Free Press contacted Johnson again, and he referred cent of the construction done by the end of 2010 to get the us to Fred Deichert, chief financial officer for Midwest, who $1.4 million grant that is part of the funding for the project. Toledo Free Press contacted Tim Murphy on Dec. 1. played an active role in the negotiations with the city. On Nov. 30, legislation concerning the solar array Murphy confirmed that the city was seeking 5 acres and project was discussed at Council’s agenda review. The wind not just an easement for transmission lines. He said it was turbine project was briefly mentioned but why it was no needed because of the required fall zone. The proposed longer a part of the Collins Park project was not addressed. wind turbine’s hub is 220 feet in the air; the tip of the blade Deichert told Toledo Free Press on Dec. 1 that after the is 350 feet in the air. initial contact with Johnson by Toledo in June, he became The required fall zone differs throughout the U.S.; it’s the main contact, with Jason Lowery, director of business generally the height of the tower. Ingleside, Texas, requires development for Midwest, in a secondary role. the fall zone to be 75 percent of the tower height; MiddleAt the first meeting, Deichert said a number of staff from town, Rhode Island, requires a circular area 125 percent the city of Toledo were present, including Tim Murphy, of the tower height as the fall zone. An acre equals about commissioner of division of environmental services. 209 feet on each side, which would mean Toledo’s fall zone The property is the former Gulf Oil refinery that’s been would be more than 1,000 feet. renamed the Ironville property, Deichert said. Murphy said that Midwest did not offer to lease less “The ultimate landholder is the Port Authority; Mid- land and there was no threat to have the Port Authority west has a long-term lease with the Port and it’s our job to take the land from Midwest. He said, “There was an aswork with the Port Authority to develop the land,” he said. sumption the price had been worked out since it was part “The city originally came in saying they need a minimum of of the model, and we think Midwest was above the fair five acres, they need a safety area and you are certainly not market value on the lease.” able to build anything underneath.” When Murphy and Deichert were told the differences in Deichert said he had questions, such as what types of re- what each had said, both stood by their statements. strictions would be in place for building height outside of the When asked why during an Oct. 25 Toledo City Council 5 acres. He wanted assurances in writing as part of the lease. utilities hearing it was never mentioned that the 1-megaHe stated the first lease price offered “was a healthy price.” watt wind turbine would be located on land that the city did In July, Lowery went on a tour of the property with not own, Murphy said, “They never asked.” ■ WARD CONTINUES ON A4 City of Toledo staff. When Lowery returned, he reported Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com
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