Fort Cherry residents divided over drilling

McDONALD - Fort Cherry residents who spoke Monday night were divided about whether the school board should allow gas drilling on district property.

The board held a public hearing about a potential nonsurface gas lease. The hearing came three months after the board invited Range Resources representatives to a public meeting to grill them about drilling.

A letter approved by the district's Parents and Teachers Association executive board was read to the board and residents by JoAnne Wagner, a Mt. Pleasant Township resident.

"The PTA requests the board include, as a condition of any natural gas lease, the installation of equipment for monitoring air toxics, with the costs to be covered by the industry," the letter said.

The health and safety of the children is of utmost importance, according to the letter. The board's guiding principles for a lease are a good start, but they must be made quantifiable to ensure a safe environment. Air monitoring will do that, the PTA letter said.

"It will provide real-time data to enable informed decision-making, every day while kids are in school and in emergency situations," the letter said.

Several years ago, the state had grants available for those constructing wind turbines, yet Fort Cherry never looked into those, said Bulger resident Cathy Lodge. Now drilling has come to the area, she said. She said a public hearing should be scheduled between the district and those soliciting a lease.

"Both sides of this controversial topic should be aired," she said. "It is time for full disclosure and to cease back-room deals excluding the public."

Lodge asked the board to refrain from participating in an industry with questionable health impacts on communities.

"We should strive to keep the school grounds not only a safe place but a healthy one, too," Lodge said.

However, other residents said they thought a nonsurface gas lease was a good idea.

"You're going to have the gas lease wells here anyway," said Mt. Pleasant Township resident Brian Temple. Gas wells are planned adjoining district property.

Joey Ogburn, of Hickory, agreed with Temple for the same reason.

"It seems like a no-brainer," he said.

Mt. Pleasant resident Regis Mucha said he supports the drilling but thinks others in the community should be more involved in the negotiations.

"This is a win situation for taxpayers," he said, adding that the money should be earmarked for education or necessary capital improvements and not administrative salaries.

Board President Brant Miller would not let Sue Seppi, a representative for Group Against Smog and Pollution, speak because she is not a district resident. That angered some in the audience because the board invited Range to the previous meeting.

Board member Mike Duran questioned whether the board can let the public know what's in any lease before it is voted on.

Board President Brant Miller said they would have to discuss that with the district solicitor.

Board member Chris Lauff said the board saw an addendum to the lease Monday night and questioned whether members would see an entire lease.

Miller said yes. He said after the meeting that there is no lease for the board to act on yet.

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