Why did Jeff Wheeland think it was a good idea to send out a flyer bashing “Republican” opponent John Mussare for supporting Democratic State Rep. Rick Mirabito— to lifelong Democratic households? Not only could Democrats not vote in the Republican primary, period, but why would they want to vote for “the 100% Republican” candidate?...
Are people like me who are speaking out against natural gas fracking just beings selfish, deluded NIMBY-types? The debate about gas drilling here in north central Pennsylvania, the place I call home, has prompted me to consider the usually derogatory label of NIMBY in a new light. I first remember hearing the term, which...
On February 4 Tom Ridge, in his new role as “strategic advisor” for the Marcellus Shale Coalition, visited Waterville, to unveil the gas industry’s “Commitment to the Community”, a promise to follow practices that will protect the people and the environment of Pennsylvania. Present at the event were representatives of Anadarko Petroleum, a company...
E-mails leaked to Pro-Publica indicate that law enforcement action against criminal actions by corporations fracking in communities above the Marcellus Shale mustbe pre-approved by political appointees of the Governor. This, after news that the appointed head of the Department of Community and Economic Development will have monarchical authority to override agencies of the state...
The gas drilling has only recently begun, but already we are seeing an increase in traffic congestion and accidents and an increase in crime. And no one seems to have fully thought through how to safely deal with the toxic waste coming out of these wells. If we don’t do something now, this will...
![west_house_picture[1]](http://www.williamsportguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/west_house_picture1-150x150.jpg "west_house_picture[1]")
As winter fades in the Susquehanna Valley, one cannot help but notice the homeowners coming out of hibernation to tidy and spruce up their properties and homes. Lawns are mowed as branches are trimmed back. Leftover leaves, remnants of an autumn passed, are swept into the gutter to make way for the blossoms and...
Three days short of a year after appearing in Williamsport before a crowd of over 200 area residents to inform them of potential health-related problems with gas development, Calvin Tillman, former Mayor of Dish,Texas, is coming back with help for some who may be negatively impacted. Tillmanand fellow Texan Tim Ruggierro recently founded Shale...
Compiled by Ralph Kisberg “ looking forward to discussing topics involving shallow gas migration, the ultimate fate and risk of contamination from frack water, documentation and tracking of waste products,inadequate bonding laws, setbacks, fines,well pad siting issues, floodplain concerns,an exploration of alternative fracking methodologies that may have fewer environmental and...
The debate rages on as to whether Marcellus Shale drillers should have to pay a severance fee to the government. The taxers say that the drillers are depleting the land and therefore ought to pay money representing a percentage of what they sever since the asset will one day be gone but the roads,...
THE MARCELLUS SHALE IS RADIOACTIVE! Does this mean there’s a monster deep underground that’s about to be awakened by humanity’s recklessness and greed? Godzilla beneath our feet? Read on and make your own judgment. Radioactivity becomes international news when a nuclear power plant melts down, as in Japan. What I’m going to talk about...
Last fall’s election gave us a congressman who doesn’t know that Libya is in Africa; a governor who thinks everyone should pay taxes except the gas companies; and a senator who thinks 6 billion human beings have nothing to do with global warming. After that, it’s tough getting excited about the upcoming primary election....
A couple of years ago, my friend Ellen died primarily because bureaucrats prevented her from seeing the doctors she needed to see. If you believe all the hype about government-run health care, you’ll probably jump to the conclusion that these were government bureaucrats. They weren’t. They were insurance company paper pushers trying to make...