This month, Lindsey Harrison once again takes on the wind farm issue ó focusing this time on health and the turbines. Although we continue to bring the concerns from the community to you, the county recently sent out a press release about the wind farm project development. It looks like itís a done deal, but be sure to read Lindseyís article about what happened to a wind farm in Wisconsin. We arenít taking a stance on the wind farm, of course, but the controversy continues; and we will continue to cover it.Speaking of controversy, Lindsey also addresses flooding issues and the importance of drainage maintenance, but who is responsible for that? It also might be a good time to have your wells tested.Of note: In October, Nathan Bird will be back with D 49 sports news; and, if you saw last monthís front page, just know that we wonít be using maps that never seem to transition well during the printing process.Itís Labor Day Weekend, which recognizes the strength that American workers have provided to the well-being of this country. Things have certainly changed in the workforce since Oregon adopted the day as a holiday in 1887. In 1894, after 30 states had followed Oregonís lead in adopting the holiday, Labor Day became a national holiday. I just wonder what the promoters of the holiday would think now, with so much of our goods made overseas and many of our people still out of work?September also brings Mother Natureís art show, as the hillsides turn a brilliant red and orange; and the Aspen leaves turn gold. Of course, September is the beginning of retailersí heaven on Earth, as people start ramping up their purchases for the holidays, starting with Halloween candy and paraphernalia.On a more somber but important note, September also serves as a reminder that humans everywhere are still vulnerable to terrorism. Fourteen years ago, the government declared Sept. 11 as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. Barack Obama added Patriot Day to the title. On this day, people are asked to volunteer for a charitable cause ó or simply do something nice for someone.Almost 3,000 people lost their lives that September day in 2001. Many American lives have been lost in terrorist attacks in other countries. Between 2006 and 2014, people worldwide killed by terrorist acts have risen. In 2006, 20,487 fatalities were the result of terrorism. In 2014, 32,727 people were killed by terrorists.And then there are the wars initiated by terrorism. Sept. 11 is also a day to remember the vast number of soldiers who have lost their lives fighting this seemingly never-ending battle.I recently watched a news report where a Syrian man was crying over the deaths of his two young daughters ó both killed last year by chemical warfare. This distraught father was describing the night before the attack. He said he had tried to give some food to his older daughter, but she refused and told her dad, ìItís my sisterís turn to eat.î And then today I read in the newspaper about the ìTomatinoî fiesta in Bunol, Spain. Trucks dumped 150 tons of tomatoes on the town so people could throw them at each other. More than 20,000 people participated. They said the festival is a major tourist attraction. The caption read, ìWhoís got the spaghetti?îSeems so flippant!Not to be morose or take away from the good that we find in our lives every day, but I think about horrific stories like the one above, and I struggle with such a blasÈ attitude about food and other things we take for granted. We might be powerless in many ways, but one thing we can do this Sept. 11 ó any day, every day ó is recognize and be sensitive to the plights of people worldwide.Please support our advertisers, and weíll see you in October.– Michelle
