Community leaders speak out against latest version of anti-fracking measure

YOUNGSTOWN

A group of business, labor, political and religious leaders are again calling for Youngstown residents to vote against the so-called “Community Bill of Rights” charter-amendment proposal – and not just because of its fracking ban.

Members of the Mahoning Valley Coalition for Job Growth said at a Tuesday news conference at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 377 at 1223 Teamsters Drive that the ballot language gives people the authority to file lawsuits against anyone they believe is violating their rights to clean air and water.

Mayor John A. McNally, a member of the coalition, said the “well-intentioned people” behind the anti-fracking proposal – which has failed five previous times – are “trying to outlaw what is already legal and out of local control.”

Fracking is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Rocky DiGennaro, president of the Western Reserve Building and Construction Trade Council and coalition member, said, “If this destructive bill passes, it will devastate our local contractors and local [union] members.”

But Susie Beiersdorfer, a member of the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights committee and Frackfree Mahoning Valley, which are backing the issue, said it strengthens people’s rights to drink clean water, breathe clean air and to self-govern.

“We have the right to alter, reform or abolish our government,” she said.

For more on what's in the ballot measure, read Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.