Bill Faircloth.

Editor’s Note: Chris Behrens submitted his resignation as interim Tama County Zoning Administrator/Weed Commissioner on Wednesday, April 30. His resignation is set to be addressed at the Monday, May 5 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Well, our Board of Supervisors has done it again. Last Tuesday (April 22), after Bob Vokoun resigned, they were real quick to get Chris Berhens appointed interim Zoning Administrator. Straight up TCAT (Tama County Against Turbines) with no open mind on wind and solar. His letter to the Zoning Board (included below) proves that. Someone in the position of Zoning Administrator should have an open mind on ALL matters, but we all know this Board only wants people who fit their agenda in all positions. As fast as this went, you can’t tell me they weren’t already looking.

As far as Mr. Behrens’ statement in his letter about ‘Love Thy Neighbor,’ it is obvious with TCAT that this is only if you see things their way. If you see things any differently than they do, you are no good. With what he wrote in his letter, he should not be employed by the County in any position (that is my opinion). It was total disrespect to all the farmers who have signed leases for turbines. But that is his arrogance showing.

All for this week.

Feb. 10, 2025 letter by Chris Behrens:

Members of the Zoning Commission:

Thank you for the time and service you are giving in this matter.

I support the current proposal to reapprove the Land Use Plan with 2 amendments (changing ‘CSR’ to ‘CSR2’ and changing ‘more than 60CSR’ to ‘an average of 60CSR’).

There is NO place for commercial solar and wind IMO in Tama County. However, the proposal is a fair compromise that protects valuable farmland and property rights.

A statement was made in a prior meeting “…that just limits what people can do on their land land…” is an attitude/display of entitlement and selfishness that has no place in Tama County or anywhere. “Do onto [sic] others as you would like done onto [sic] you” and “Love your neighbor” are much better attitudes for our county. Your neighbors have spoken and will continue to speak. They do not want industrial wind and solar.

Thanks,

Chris Behrens

Bill Faircloth is a rural Toledo resident and former Tama County Supervisor (2021-2024). Prior to public service, he spent nearly four decades working for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown before retiring in 2012; he then worked part-time for Tama County for eight years.