Where are our city leaders? Why aren't they speaking out?
Last month, I spoke to Mayor Coleman and to our council reps and urged them to speak out, to inform residents about the truths---economic and otherwise---about gas wells, and to encourage residents to say no when drilling companies knock on their doors with their Beverly Hillbillies promises.
This is what I told them:
We have local control. All residents have to do is JUST SAY NO, and there will be no drilling in our neighborhoods.
I presented a four-point action plan, outlining things that our city leaders can do, to fight for our neighborhoods:
Step One. Get the legal issues resolved and find out where we stand.
Ask the Ohio Attorney General for an advisory opinion as to what ODNR really has the ability to control. Have state fire codes for access roads really been preempted? What authority—federal law, etc.—does the city have to protect the streams and wetlands? What can residents do to protect themselves from mandatory pooling--being forced into a drilling lease?
Step Two. Literature.
It is time for our city leaders to communicate directly with residents about the health/safety/financial issues associated with drilling and to communicate their feelings regarding drilling in our residential neighborhoods.
Step Three. Pass a resolution and send it to Gov. Strickland and state legislative leaders.
It is time to communicate directly with the individuals in Columbus who decided to allow drilling in residential neighborhoods in our state. Its time for our city leaders to take a stand and be heard in Columbus.
Step Four. Plan a community meeting to discuss drilling issues.
Invite NEOGAP (Northeast Ohio Gas Accountability) to come to the city to give a presentation discussing the health and safety aspects of gas wells and urban drilling. And for goodness sake, publicize the meeting well, so that residents know about it and have an opportunity to discuss together how drilling impacts our city and our neighborhoods.
A month has passed. What have our city leaders done to fight for our neighborhoods?
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