HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of the residents of that portion of Reno County where NextEra was denied a conditional use permit for a wind farm was before the Reno County Commission Tuesday. Andy Helten is upset about some of the questions residents who signed petitions are being asked by those doing depositions in the lawsuit.

Helten wanted to know what the county is doing in regard to the lawsuit. He was under the impression that the county was representing those who signed the protest petitions. County Commission Chair Bob Bush noted that their legal counsel is only involved to represent the planning commission and the county commission. He says that would be over the process.

Helten says some residents are upset about questions being asked by lawyers for NextEra. He says they have asked personal questions, including the ages of their children. He says they feel like they were bullied by NextEra. He wanted the county to intervene. County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan noted that some homeowners who signed the petitions hired their own attorneys to represent them and to intervene in the lawsuit, which was granted by District Judge Tim Chambers.

He also noted that courts usually grant wide latitude to attorneys over what questions can be asked during depositions even though some may not be deemed relevant during a court proceeding. O’Sullivan and two commissioners noted that it is not the county’s responsibility to represent those who signed the petitions.

The lawsuit is still pending in front of Judge Tim Chambers.