Council delays vote on leasing land for drilling

YOUNGSTOWN

City council postponed a vote to seek proposals from companies interested in leasing city-owned land for oil and gas drilling even though a majority of members favor it.

Some council members said Wednesday that they wanted more time to discuss the issue before making a decision.

Mayor Charles Sammarone’s proposal to lease city-owned land for drilling brought a standing-room-only crowd of about 70 people, who oppose the legislation, to council chambers.

But council already decided beforehand not to vote on the ordinance at Wednesday’s meeting. At its finance committee meeting, held just before the full meeting, council agreed to wait at least until its next meeting, Oct. 3, before voting.

Councilmen Mike Ray, D-4th, and Paul Drennen, D-5th, said they haven’t made a decision on the mayor’s proposal, and wanted to obtain more information.

The five other members of council said they support Sammarone’s proposal.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.