Anti-gas drilling rally September 8 in Delhi

Delhi — A group of Delaware County residents will hold an anti-gas drilling rally and march in Delhi on Wednesday, September 8 from 5-6 p.m. in front of the Delaware County Office Building on Courthouse Square before and during the county board of supervisors’ monthly meeting there. 

The September 8 rally has two specific goals. “The primary one is to give voice to public awareness of what is increasingly understood about the many dangers - economic, social and environmental - of horizontal hydraulic fracturing of shale bedrock,” says Carole Marner of Franklin, one of the members of the organizing committee.  “The other goal is to bring attention to what we consider the Delaware County Board of Supervisors’ intransigence in refusing to hear anti-drilling arguments while using their political clout to petition the state to allow drilling.”  

According to organizing committee member Caroline Martin of Colchester, “They have not done the necessary investigation regarding its safety nor, as a matter of fact, regarding its acceptance by the people of the county.  We feel this is an extraordinary abuse of power on their part.  The suppression of information by government on all levels, as well as business, about the ugly history of drilling and the myths about its financial benefits to leaseholders and local communities are part and parcel of the problem we are facing.  Although, in November 2008, the supervisors invited gas industry representatives to make a lengthy presentation promoting horizontal hydraulic fracturing, the board ignored a request by Delaware County citizens to give a presentation documenting their concerns about drilling.

The other organizing committee members are Kate Ryan, Meredith; Dave Baker, Walton; Nick Albaugh, Hamden; and Gene Marner, Franklin.  In addition there are currently 49 sponsors, representing 16 towns, promoting the rally. 

Music and street theatre are welcome.  People are encouraged to bring signs of their own.  Two hundred NO DRILL NO SPILL signs with metal posts will be available, which marchers can carry and then take home to put in front of their homes.  Rallying citizens will gather at Courthouse Square in Delhi starting at 4:30 p.m.  A microphone and amplifier will be available for those who wish to address the rally.   Statements will be limited to two minutes to ensure that many voices are heard.