February 5, 2013 from: Diane Jeffer
Comment: The Binghamton Press chose not to print my letter, but I thought you might be interested in hearing about our experience with Mayor Ryan last November.
Dear Editor,
I recently made arrangements for property owners in our lake community in Silver Lake Township, PA to have a private tour of the gas drilling rig near our lake which is operated by WPX Energy. To my surprise, two gentlemen slipped into our group after our tour had begun and began asking questions of our tour guide. My surprise turned to disbelief when I learned that one of these men was Matt Ryan, the mayor of Binghamton.
I’m not sure how Mr. Ryan learned about our private tour, but I’m pretty sure that he knew that he had not been invited and that it was not a public event. Given his high-profile role in the Binghamton community, it is inconceivable that he did not realize that it was inappropriate for him to crash our private tour. This behavior was dishonest and sneaky to say the least.
Mr. Ryan, for your information, the people touring the rig on Friday have spent more than two years asking questions and doing our own research. Representatives of the gas companies working in Silver Lake Township have taken time to attend our Lake Association meetings and have always been available to answer any questions we have posed.
Our lake community includes many families that have owned property in Silver Lake Township for multiple generations. We are all protective of our pristine lake environment and have done our homework regarding the impact of gas drilling near our lake. Our private tour was not the proper forum for your agenda-driven questions and comments.
Sincerely, Diane Jeffer
If you have done so much research, how come you haven’t uncovered the growing mountain of evidence showing gas drilling to be harmful? Speaking to Gas Company employees will not give you the full picture.
Two points – first, what does your response have to do with Mayor Ryan crashing an event to which he was not invited? And second – Proof, Bonnie, proof. Point to a study by the EPA DEP, DEC, or some credible agency in some state or federal government that confirms your thesis of harm. No research from academia unless it has been corroborated by multiple other research studies of the same raw data.
here here…
rig tours are a bugger- I know that some political figures want a quick look- not a special day on location. I can see a reason for that- I can see both sides of the coin so not passing judgement. I think it would be better if the rig tours felt a little more “day in the life”. tell a few Company men- and keep it kinda real.
To your first point – I didn’t bother commenting about Matt Ryan crashing your tour and the unpublished letter because I thought the whole thing was petty and stupid. Apparently, so did pressconnects.
Second – EPA, DEP, because of the revolving door between industry and regulators, they cannot be trusted. The gas and oil industry funds research in academia, and the conclusions better be in their favor.
The reports I’ve read and seen from across the country, as well as first person stories, people from every walk of life, Republicans, Democrats, Tea baggers who don’t know each other all have this common message:
My water was fine for years, they came and drilled and now my water is bad. It’s very obvious and simple.
Why do you think the gas industry forces non-disclosure agreements on families whose homes are rendered unlivable?
Why does the gas industry attempt to silence doctors and hide the chemicals involved when people come into the hospital suffering from chemical exposure? ( and don’t give me that proprietary info BS) they don’t want the public to know how bad things really are. Now some doctors are fighting back in court because they cannot properly treat these patients.
There are some people who don’t understand things until it happens to them.
It’s unbelievable that none of you Dimock Proud people know anyone who has been harmed by gas drilling. Oh right, you think their all lying.
I just got about 40 DEP Determination Letters that say that gas drilling has impacted water wells in Bradford Co. and I have four DEP Determination letters for Lenox, Pa. saying that gas drilling has impacted their water wells. I got these from doing RTK (Right to Knows) sent to the DEP. I can send you copies to anyone interested: veraduerga@yahoo.com I have just sent another RTK
for more Determination letters of our county and Tioga and Washington Counties. Reports of water
and air contamination are coming in from all our counties being drilled besides other States.