Council debates drilling

By D.A. Wilkinson

wilkinson@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

Council heard and debated various opinions on drilling for natural gas in the city.

Columbiana resident Julia Fuhrman Davis quoted Ben Price, an advocate and adviser to the city of Pittsburgh on community rights.

Price argued that in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, drilling for natural gas can be been termed a “symptom of a disease of the body politic: the denial of fundamental rights to community self-government, health, safety, and quality of life.”

She said Price added, “If an activity deprives the rights, hurts the interests, destroys the property values and threatens the health and well-being, the council not only has the authority [but] it has the duty to prohibit those activities.”

Some drilling is occurring in the city, but at shallow depths.

City Manager Keith Chamberlin said the debate in the city is over Utica Shale as a major source of natural gas, mined lengthwise some 6,000 feet deep.

Councilman Bob Bieshelt delivered a list of issues about any potential drilling, including: potential property damage and who would pay for that; chemical infiltration into city water; and safety measures to avoid problems.

“I think we have to do something,” he said.

Richard McBane, who recently returned to Columbiana after working for the Gas Research Institute in Chicago, said huge oil companies are drawing attention in the debate.

“We’re not hearing about mom-and-pop operations,” he said.

He serves on the city’s planning commission and will look at the issue next week.

Municipal Attorney Daniel Blasdell told council it has authority to take measures to protect the city.