Drilling debate needs resident input
I am writing this letter to encourage Robinson Township residents to become more involved in a gas drilling debate that can dramatically affect the future of our township.
Before retiring as an Allegheny County school superintendent, I had the honor to work with a number of highly dedicated township supervisors or town council members who consistently placed the welfare of our school district and their communities above their own personal agendas. I was also grateful to have the available financial resources to purchase additional school materials, release our school buses on well-maintained township and borough roads and encourage students and their families to use the various community-funded playgrounds and recreational facilities.
In contrast, as a 40-year resident of Robinson Township, I have often felt that the Robinson Township supervisors were dedicated public servants but limited in the services they could provide due to fiscal constraints created by a limited tax base. In fact, I understood that the township supervisors and Range Resources were working together to develop health and safety standards while planning township improvements with gas revenues.
I recently learned, however, that the relationship between the supervisors and Range has become contentious. Since the working relationship between these two entities is critically important for township residents to realize the benefits of drilling, I attended last month’s supervisors meeting to try to determine the reasons for this unfortunate situation. During that meeting, supervisors stated that Range officials have repeatedly refused to provide proper information that was required before drilling permits could be issued. After attending the meeting, I talked with an official from Range Resources who said they had provided information above and beyond what had been requested when other permits were approved by the supervisors just two years ago.
I encourage residents to become actively involved by calling township supervisors, attending township meetings or contacting the offices of Range Resources at Southpointe to ask about this apparent conflict. Without direct involvement at this critical time, there may never be another opportunity to realize the quality of services that our township residents so richly deserve.
Charles D. Hughey
McDonald