SHERBURNE – Flooding, unanswered questions, and more rain could have been stifling obstacles in the quest to vanquish the threat posed by New York Regional Interconnect Inc. However, these recently dubious themes of Chenango County have only proven the resilience in the local character, said citizens, officials and grassroots organizers at a rally against the power line over the weekend in Sherburne.
“You can’t let rain stop you,” said Sherburne resident Myrtle Crandall. “It’s a small thing compared to these lines.”
Roughly 100 people from around the county gathered in Gaines Park under a steady downpour Saturday to hear songs, speeches and support through the voice of Sherburne, speaking on this day for all the communities within the 190 miles that the transmission line would cross.
“I want to thank Mother Nature again,” said Earlville resident and STOP NYRI co-chair Eve Ann Shwartz, “for proving that nothing can stop the grassroots effort to defeat this <a href="http://www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI</a> power line.”
Albany-based NYRI announced at the end of March that it is planning to gain approval to construct a high-voltage, 1,200 megawatt direct-current transmission line from Marcy to New Windsor. The line would bisect eight counties with 115 foot tall steel towers, going through 44 miles of Chenango.
Village of Sherburne Mayor William thanked all those who have been involved in the opposition thus far to the power line he said would be “an unmitigated disaster for our village.” Acee said that sustaining the momentum against <a href="http://www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI</a> should be the public’s main focus now, urging everyone to continue to keep contact with local government officials.
“It’s a battle, It’s a full time job to fight it,” said Acee. “Don’t let off, don’t fall asleep. Don’t let up until this power line goes away and never comes back.”
Shwartz praised the tireless effort by groups such as STOP NYRI, who she believes got the ball rolling, and continued its advance, in the war against the private company, using information, studies, letters, phone calls, and applying pressure to local and state officials.
“Your voices, your thoughts, and your achievements are all we need to stop this,” said Shwartz.
