Laidlaw Energy Group, Inc.(fka LLEG)

[nez]

Spence,
I don't know if this analogy makes sense but I am giving it a try as I think I can understand what you are saying.

I think a lot about how difficult of an adjustment it must have been for the US public to acclimate, become comfortable with, grudgingly accept and finally embrace the new technology of "steam" driven shipping. Especially, while not being essential for the future as well as present security of our country and a part of our current way of life but in the areas that are going to live with the new technology, it is more than a part of a way of life but an entirely new form.

Also, how many times have country living folks been “burned” by city folks who come to their community for the fun of “flipping” a community’s neighborhood homes and after snapping a profit, driving up taxes and establishing numerous numbers of strip malls, watch property prices shoot up and then sell out and go back to the city or down to Florida?

Also another aspect making this possibly appear destined to fail is the fact that this whole idea is really not a choice but a necessity in a way in which case I know I would feel like I had little say or control and was being forced. This would naturally lead me to become distrustful.
When the fence sitters see if the communities that are key for making this change in energy production possible, due to the unique characteristics of thier home towns, accepting and working to make the new paradigm work for their own benefit as well as greater society then IMO the fence sitting investors will go in, with a vengeance!

Maybe this is why there was so much vocal and passionate opposition from a relatively small group of people willing to sacrifice a lot of time, effort. And it wouldn’t surprise me if they also sacrificed their own money to make themselves heard. I never understood their actions but I was cynical enough to read some selfish motive rather than consider that maybe it was an issue of trust. IMO I have seen more small communities “screwed” by people from more populated areas than the other way around.
It occurs to me also why MB framed this in the best way for all, teamwork!

This shows me he has the right idea but the investors, and I include myself obviously, might need to be a lot more sensitive to how possibly intimidating all this might be if it were our backs up against the wall.
I guess that until we and the communities that can make this happen show the greater investing community we are determined to build trust and make sure neither group is taken advantage of, the big money will be leery. If there is not honest trust between the companies and their investors and other affiliates (maybe wrong word) and the host communities, it might not work as well. IMO the thing MB recognizes and IMO communities like Ellicottville are beginning to see is that if one part of the equation tries to “stiff” the other then the concept will not get past a handful of facilities, if that.

IMO it is possible other alternatives to LLEG, lacking both the foresight to recognize an opportunity for both building a business, aiding, and helping prove alternatives exist to our country’s energy crisis. However, the other companies did not take the initiative MB did and know they blew it but they are now seeing the possibilities and inevitabilities and are not at all reluctant to try and drive a wedge between LLEG and the towns MB is trying to form an alliance with. IMO, this way they could step into any vacuum and take full advantage with little effort as MB has already initiated and completed the ground work. Just my opinion, I don’t know and I hope not because I would rather see mistrust between the only two parties capable of making this work, dissipate and have them diligently work towards building trust and a spirit of team work. Then everyone wins.
JMO
Nez