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A visit to Wilson's farm, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

That big blue and white object in the background isn't some jet engine I PhotoShoped into a farm picture -- it's a wind turbine, called the WindTamer.

Owner Garry Wilson said the turbine will be fully operational this week and will provide more power than he needs for his farm.

Wilson's farm is on Route 19 in Le Roy, right next door to the suspected meth lab police found this morning.

While Wilson said he's never heard a blade-type wind turbine, this one doesn't make much noise at all.

"We had quite a bit of wind a few nights back and it was no louder than a truck idling," Wilson said.

The turbines are advertised as more efficient, producing more power, than conventional turbines.

Wilson said he believes he has the first WindTamer in Genesee County, and the first turbine of any kind in Le Roy.

I got a chance to talk with Garry because while I was waiting for something interesting to happen at the suspected meth lab house (more on that later), I stood along the edge of the road and started trying to take some pictures of his horses, which is when I spotted one laying on the ground with its hoof apparently caught on a fence railing.

I spotted Garry's number and gave him a call. He came out immediately to help the horse get uncaught and get back up. He said it happens once in a while when the horse lays down too close to the fence and then rolls over, getting its hoof caught.

Pictures below of the horse rescue as well as one of Garry throwing some hay to his horses and of his cattle.

The horse seemed perfectly fine after it got up, even coming over to the railing where I was hoping I might be a person with a treat. Sorry, horse, no treats.

 

kevin kretschmer

There's one of those on Rte 246 North of Perry Center. It's been functional for a couple of years now and has been featured on various news outlets in Western NY.

Mar 2, 2010, 5:22pm Permalink
Jennifer Keys

This is an awesome story, Howard. I believe I was at the public hearing about the wind turbine. It sounds really great. I'm very interested to see what happens.

Mar 2, 2010, 6:03pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Howard, I think its Great that you saved that horse from further injury~!! Thank God
We are Very interested in the wind turbines as well. We had passed a similar one, as Kevin said, on our way to Letchworth State Park last fall. I think its a very productive idea. I hope Clean Energy, and producing it will successfully take us into the future, and help preserve the Earth. Great Story!!

Mar 2, 2010, 6:48pm Permalink
Mardell Lamb

True journalist ~ in the area to cover one story & uncovers another one!! Good job Howard! :o) You just never know what you'll encounter in Gen. Co. Good to be on the look out.

I've seen the wind turbine on 246 & was amazed. I was driving, however, but it was hard not to rubber neck. Really cool. I didn't realize that Garry has one also.

Glad the horse is ok!♥

Mar 2, 2010, 7:50pm Permalink

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