Meaford council was blown apart by wind turbines at its planning meeting held on January 18.

The wind turbine issue completely divided council and resulted in a resolution on the matter being defeated in a 4-3 recorded vote.

Councillors Cynthia Lemon and Lynda Stephens combined to bring forward a resolution that demanded the upper levels of government do more research into the possible negative health effects associated with wind turbines. The resolution also asked for the upper levels of government to develop better policies for where wind turbines can be located.

The resolution is similar to a motion recently passed by Grey County council on the wind turbine matter.

"I always thought these were rather fascinating contraptions. I gave no thought to where they were placed or to any health issues," explained councillor Lemon. "Over time I've become increasingly concerned," said Lemon, pointing out that alternative energy companies are nosing around Meaford. She said council owes it to local citizens to ask for the upper levels of government to look at all the long-term impacts of wind turbines before our local landscape is dotted with them.

Councillor Stephens said evidence of the machines have negative health impacts on people living near them continues to grow and needs to be investigated further.

"These concerns need to be addressed so they can be refuted or confirmed," she said.

Councillor Harley Greenfield supported the resolution and said he didn't want to see Meaford's natural beauty destroyed by industrial wind turbines.

"I do not find them hypnotic or nice to look at. Our natural beauty is more attractive to me," he said.

Despite the support from those three councillors, the remaining four members of council defeated the resolution. Mayor Francis Richardson and Deputy Mayor Mike Traynor said they didn't believe there are health effects associated with wind turbines. They both voted against the similar resolution at county council.

Their positions drew a rebuke from councillor Lemon.

"Where is the respect for the people that are ill? To say they aren't ill at all is very disrespectful," she said. "A significant number of people are concerned about health issues," she said.

Councillor Jim McPherson asked councillor Lemon if she would remove the clause in the resolution asking for new regulations to deal with wind turbines. McPherson said he didn't have a problem asking for more research into the health issues and would support a resolution to that affect.

Lemon refused to alter her resolution and the motion was defeated 4-3 in a recorded vote.