In a democracy, all voices are meant to be heard.
Unfortunately, that maxim did not seem to make its way to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
The DEC recently released a draft supplemental generic environmental impact statement proposing how communities and companies should go about natural-gas drilling. It also announced public information meetings and a public comment period ending Nov. 30.
But despite obvious local interest in the matter, the state DEC did not schedule any public information meetings in the four-county area.
Thankfully, local representatives have come to the aid of those who wish to have their concerns noted by the state DEC.
The city of Oneonta’s Environmental Board met Wednesday to discuss the draft regulations. According to an article in Tuesday’s Daily Star, part of the purpose of the meeting was to “gauge interest” in having a public hearing in Oneonta sanctioned by the city where comments could be forwarded to the state DEC.
We applaud the efforts of the board, including Chairman David Hutchison, who told The Daily Star that he hoped the meeting would help clarify the lengthy document of regulations.
As we have said in the past, this is an issue that stands to affect the quality of life in our community in a variety of ways. Members of the public are encouraged to inform themselves and make their opinions known. We are pleased they may now have a chance to have these concerns addressed.
One concern we have with the issue of gas drilling is vigilance.
In an Oct. 7 Daily Star article, Otsego County officials spoke of traveling Oct. 1 to a gas well being drilled by Gastem USA in the town of Maryland.
Officials recalled their trip as satisfactory.
“I’d say it’s definitely less intrusive than a logging operation,’’ said Rep. Stephen Fournier, R-Milford, a member of the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
David Parker of Worcester, a member of the MOSA board of directors, said it appeared to him that Gastem USA ``wants to make absolutely sure there are no problems here.’’
While we appreciate area representatives seeing gas drilling in action, we hope they do not stray from vigilance on the issue. All well sites and gas-drilling companies are not created equal.
The Maryland experience could prove worthwhile in showcasing what does and does not work for drilling in our area, but we urge our representatives to continue to investigate the matter and hear all concerns.
Editorials
DEC should heed locals on gas drilling
- Editorials
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
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Have a heartfelt Valentine's Day
"I love you." "Be mine." "You're cute when you're spending money."
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
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Women must win fight for opportunity
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will recommend that Congress officially allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.
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Center helps victims of child abuse and neglect
We learned some good news about some terrible news in a story by reporter Joe Mahoney in Tuesday's Daily Star.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Chamber made excellent choices on service awards
A special committee selected by the Otsego County Chamber has made two excellent decisions regarding the organization's annual awards for service to our communities.
Continued ... - Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Cheers
To Michael Shea, Terry Bliss, and the passage of the bill to allow Otsego's exit from MOSA.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
Continued ... - Saturday, February 4, 2012
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Pill abuse should be a priority for police, pols
Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas proposed a bill this week to help police combat a disturbing trend of increasing prescription drug abuse.
Continued ... - Friday, February 3, 2012
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More needs to be done to aid vets with PTSD
The recent story of Stamford grandmother Melody DiGregorio grieving the loss of her grandson, Air Force veteran Edward "Drew" Snyder, brings home the debilitating and often-unreported effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on our service men and women.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Area 'shocked' at underage drinking? That's shocking
It has been referenced so often that it has become a cliché.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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School's new lease on life a welcome development
It is a big place designed to echo with the sounds of young people in a healthy learning environment.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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Cheers
To the Central American Youth Ambassadors Program, to Ray Preston and to the NCOC building trades class and the Prattsville Fire Department.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Mitt's not at fault for loopholes in tax code
As the longtime frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney has faced withering attacks from rivals seeking to upset him.
Continued ... - Saturday, January 28, 2012
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Rest in peace, Naples and Stalter
Our area recently lost two important and influential members of our community: Oneonta surgeon Dr. Kenneth D. Stalter and newly elected Sixth Ward Council Member Mike Naples.
Continued ... - Friday, January 27, 2012
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Case closed on 2 years of turmoil
"Case closed."
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Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller was referring to possible criminal charges against fired police officer Michael Breen on Wednesday, but Miller just as easily could have been talking about the more than two years of turmoil the city has endured with its police department. - Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Obama played his cards right Tuesday
Despite a daunting economy and a challenging re-election campaign, on Tuesday night President Barack Obama displayed what Mark Twain called "the calm confidence of a Christian holding four aces" in his State of the Union address.
Continued ... - Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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Searching for votes instead of honor
Say what you will about John McCain, the Republican nominee for president in 2008 who inflicted an ignorant Sarah Palin upon an unsuspecting nation.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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Cheers
To MLK Jr. Day events, Diana Nicols, and Jordan Beers and Mariah Ruff.
Continued ... - Monday, January 23, 2012
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Dignity not enough to show in speech
After weeks of watching the often unseemly, if not downright humorous, antics of the Republican candidates for his job, President Barack Obama should have little trouble providing at least one thing Tuesday night in his State of the Union address. Dignity.
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
