Safety of residents must be ensured
Before I decided to run for Washington County commissioner in the spring, I drove around Washington County to locate problem areas that we need to address and solve for our residents. With the economic boost we are receiving from the oil and gas industry, I could see the need for our county commissioners to develop a program for the protection of our citizens.
Working together with the industry, our county commissioners need to be tracking and mapping out all drilling-site activities, and then devise an evacuation plan in case of emergencies. They should then share it with residents and business owners. We cannot afford to wait until after the fact.
The natural gas industry is new to us. On a county level, we need to ensure the safety of our residents by forming a serious working relationship with this industry, and not just take their campaign contributions while doing nothing to protect residents.
Judith L. Fisher
Washington