There are a lot of comments here and elsewhere that suggest the supporters of Big Wind somehow are getting something for their vote.

The process would be easier to understand if it were as simple as a bag of money in a dark corner of a parking lot....

In my 14 years in office, nobody ever offered money or a job in exchange for a vote. Even campaign contributions are not a big deal here in NNY. The county legislators do not have contested races anyway.

One of the motivators in politics is ego and another is a real desire to see your community prosper. To be seen as a "job creator" is important to today's lawmakers even though as Republicans they should know that jobs are created in the private sector not throught government fiat.

I suspect those in favor think they are taking advantage of an opportunity and doing something that will lessen the onerous tax burden on property owners... at least those in a couple of communities.

I feel it is misguided altruism, as this PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) and tax abatement scheme for Big Wind is the same old saw we hear concerning malls, factories, convention centers, etc.

You know....it will only happen if approved and if you don't people who want to work won't and their families will suffer. If you look at it that way, I guess you vote yes...Nobody wants to hurt someone else...but increasingly, I am skeptical of all these arrangements.

I used to be a believer, but I no longer buy into the government creates jobs mantra. There are times government can be of assistance but most of what passes for economic development is merely subsidy for the well to do....or subsidy for industries and technologies that just can't make it. How much was sunk into local paper mills like Deferiet before the obvious became reality
If a county legislator got in his car and found a bag of money on the seat, at least the vote could be explained.....In the absence of that happening, it's a more inexplicable vote I suspect is based on the frustration of wanting prosperity and figuring doing anything is better than nothing.

Part 2:

With television commercials striking fear into county legislators who normally toil in obscurity, there is doubt a PILOT agreement with Big Wind will be voted on tonight at what is expected to be a packed house at the historic county courthouse where they meet.

It seems the argument is over whether it should a 15 year or a 20 year payment in lieu of taxes agreement. If the county board rejects the 20 year deal, it can fall back on 15 and claim that's their standard PILOT and it can be approved by the unelected, and thus unaccountable, JCIDA.

Let me express an opinion shared by more and more people.

The folks are tired of bailouts... tired of transfering of wealth through PILOTS.... tired of sales tax abatements that flow straight to the bottom line of the well-to-do. We are sick of slick lawyering to come up with tax avoidance schemes. And we are sick of being told it "creates jobs."

The County Legislature needs to take control.

Jeff Graham is the Mayor of Watertown, NY, and avid blogger, local business owner, and radio talk-show host.  His blog is located at mayorgraham.blogspot.com.