Check this out ... Gas drilling expert Stan Scobies congratulates Family Times reporters Erika C. and Gabe L. on their February centerspread on gas drilling.
N.Y. Residents Against Drilling Discuss Action Options
By Erika C.
As gas drilling in New York appears more and more a possibility, residents are joining together to make certain that their voices are heard and their concerns are taken into account.
On April 29, New York Residents Against Drilling (NYRAD) met in the Endicott Public Library to discuss tactics and options to prevent the potential disaster that hydro-fracking presents.
Members of NYRAD meet in groups around the Broome County area to get acquainted and band together to make sure landowners and the environment are protected. “We believe that all people have a right to clean air and pure water, and that it is our duty to preserve and protect the natural, scenic, historic, and commercial assets of this beautiful state we live in, for ourselves and future generations,” said one NYRAD member.
The organizers of the meeting brought in Chris Burger, Stan Scobies, and Glenn Williams, all of whom are deeply motivated in their commitment against fracking and are able to answer most questions landowners have. “Gas companies made a strategic mistake when they started poking around in NY State,” said Burger speaking of the incredible outpouring of concern by residents all over the Marcellus Shale.
The meeting started with an introduction by the speakers, then divided into four separate meetings. The smaller groups discussed how they could make a difference in their local community and were advised to come up with a couple of tasks they could focus on. Before closing the meeting the groups presented their ideas and what they, personally, were going to focus on.
Some of the ideas that were discussed were a rally to save Jones Park in Binghamton, a yard sign campaign, a debate and educational day to inform the public, and creating a Facebook page to attract young people’s attention.
The next NYRAD meeting is May 24 at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Sarah Jane Johnson United Methodist Church on 308 Main St. in Johnson City.
