Lighted turbines would endanger ‘Dark Skies’ areas
Two Virginia State Parks, Douthat and Natural Bridge, received the status of being “Dark Skies” areas, which are not overcome by artificial light, to allow star viewing. The highest elevation between the two parks is the southern range of North Mountain.
One can travel south on Route 220 through Rainbow Gap between Clifton Forge and Iron Gate and view the southern end of North Mountain, where a wind farm is proposed to be established. These wind turbines are to be taller than the Empire State Building and with artificial lights at night.
Artificial light can travel a great distance. I live in Northern Botetourt, two miles from Alleghany County. I can see, from my upstairs western-side windows, a lighted large dome in the distance that is the glow of the artificial lights of Roanoke, which are 40 miles away.
Bob Hundley
Eagle Rock
Patterson knows no shame, no boundaries
Bob Patterson’s April 3 letter unequivocally revealed the true character of himself even more clearly in his yet another unnecessary, incoherent, bellicose ranting.
Through his unrestrained angry ranting, which completely lacks any hint of social decency or “decorum,” he has shown his chronic ailment: self-referential, self-serving nosy, know-it-all that is deeper and more serious than I thought. It made me chuckle but also feel compassionate toward him for his apparent long years of suffering.
Patterson has been writing unwarranted, unsolicited, unnecessary, and disrespectful comments about practically anyone whom he thinks he can attack, insult, or bully. But when he is confronted and challenged with the truth, his juvenile-like impetuous temper tantrum and unconstrained tirade are on full display – he knows no shame, he knows no boundaries.
As Patterson is the cause of his problem, he must be the solution to his problem. The first step of a solution would be his thoughtful and careful exercise of when and how to keep himself silent. But if he must utter words, send out positive words because he’ll hear positive echoes. Remember, love begets love, hate also begets hate. Patterson has a choice and must choose which echoes he wants to hear. Otherwise, he’ll go through the vicious cycle of self-inflicted grievances, and his words/actions will also cause injuries to others.
Again, if he is any wiser, he should take this opportunity to self-reflect and learn from it: “practice silence often.” However, the wisdom of “Without inner change, there can be no outer change,” truly applies to him. Better yet, one of my students quipped, “You can’t teach an old dog a new trick even if his life depends on it.” I rest my case.
If, however, his maddening ranting continues, the reader’s attention is kindly directed to the March 27, 2024, Letter to the Editor of The Fincastle Herald for detailed facts regarding his incorrigible behavior.
Anna Yu
Cloverdale
