by Arya F. Jenkins
TIME TO STAND UP FOR COMMUNITY
by Arya F. Jenkins
Whenever I happen upon that marvelous quote by Margaret
Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has,” I think of
Mahoning Valley and Trumbull County anti-fracktivists, who are standing up for
the place they love that is their home and will not back down--not in the face
of bigger foes and moneyed bullies, not for anything.
If you live in Mahoning or Trumbull County, chances are you
are familiar with fracking and know people, as I do, who have been negatively
impacted by it.
I know folks who have gotten ill as a result of noise, air
and water pollution from nearby wells, and who live in a constant state of
siege due to fracking on their land, fearing for their health and safety and
that of loved ones.
It’s not a good way to live. It’s not the American promise
or dream, but the new nightmare that Americans and people worldwide are facing
as oil and gas companies attempt to take over communities for corporate gain.
Where I live in McDonald, the flow of fracking trucks is
constant, polluting the air, reminding me of what is coming, what is here.
There is even a sign, just off Route I-80 welcoming frackers to the area.
When I first saw that sign a few months back, I almost
pulled off the road. Who would put it up?—Frustrated activists? I envisioned, a
shiny, little diner just off the road, serving frackers free toxic cocktails, a
taste of their own medicine.
In truth, fracking is hardly a laughing matter. The
hydraulic fracking process involves the injection of fracking fluid--a blend of
sand, chemicals and water--thousands of feet into the earth, to loosen shale
rock, so that natural gas can be extracted.
While the process yields more gas and oil from drilling
sites, it also harms the environment and water supplies as many of the chemicals
used in fracking are dangerous to humans and animals--While thousands of
gallons of chemicals are used in fracking, not all are removed in the process.
Some of the toxic substances used in fracking include
formaldehyde, benzene and lead--even diesel oil, which is illegal, has been
found in fracking fluid.
Residents in this and other areas impacted by fracking are
not just concerned about the dangers of fracking. They fear their rights are
being usurped by gas and oil companies intent on foisting their own agendas on
communities. But resistance may win out in Youngstown, where grassroots efforts
could model for the rest of the nation how a community, even an economically
challenged one, can empower itself while standing up for its rights against
corporate entities.
The oil and gas industry has spent thousands of dollars
trying to defeat The Youngstown Community Bill of Rights (CBR) Charter
Amendment, which has been on the Youngstown ballot three times and has been
shot down three times, although it’s steadily gaining momentum. It has picked
up 1830 more YES votes in its favor since the May 2013 election, and the margin
is closing in the CBR committee’s favor.
The CBR upholds the right of citizens to self governance,
“to protect drinking water, homes and air quality—no matter what businesses
come to the city of Youngstown.” At least 1,126 signatures are needed for the
proposed charter amendment to be certified for the November 4th ballot this
year.
As I write this, anti-fracktivists are busy doing what they
do-- spreading awareness, educating neighbors, garnering signatures they hope
to get to the city county clerk before the September 5 deadline. If you see
them, join them, sign up to help preserve this community.
As Susie Beiersdorfer, a geologist and member of CBR said
recently, “The truth doesn’t change, and we don’t lose until we quit.”
Self-determination is as American as apple pie. It is the
reason we got started as a nation and the reason we are still here.
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