Archive for April, 2008

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Gas Muse 4/8/2008 - Hello Township Supervisors, Borough Councilpersons, School Board Directors, Etc.

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

It was interesting to read the article in the Scranton Times today regarding Ransom Township Supervisors and gas leases.  If you missed in the Gas Muse 4/5/2008, here it is again:

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19462460&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6

Apparently, these supervisors have done at least a portion of their homework and are not impressed with these leases.  Maybe some of the supervisors of the townships and council persons in the boroughs will take a lesson from this.  As was stated by supervisor Joe Esposito, “Don’t think you’re going to get rich on this because you probably won’t,” he said. “The gas company’s going to get rich.”

With all that has been written to this point about the potential damage this project could cause to the area (never mind they will grade and reseed your lawn), what about the water supply (see posts below), what about the miles and miles of piping running across peoples’ property, etc., etc. 

Oh yes, how about all the people who have houses on small parcels, surrounded by large parcels owned by others?  These people will suffer all the consequences of these wells, piping, screwed up water, etc. and NEVER see any of the benefit.  What are you elected officials doing to protect those people, their property and the value of the same?

In any event, the boroughs and townships in this area are currently leasing unused or even used township and borough property to get a few extra dollars in their coffers.  Isn’t this asking for a problem with their constituents?  If you are an elected official (supervisor or councilperson)  and are being asked to sign a lease, whom do you consult with?  Remember, you are operating as a fiducary for the constituents of whatever political subdivision (please read township or borough) you have been elected to represent.  Please choose wisely.  If the scope of this project is anywhere near what it has been described elsewhere, it will be a permanent and maybe not so good change for the residents. 

The argument has been made that stone quarries already deface the land.  This is not being desputed here at all.  In fact this writer has been following the bluestone industry from very first entry in this blog.  The post specifically dealt with the bluestone industry.  To make it a little easier, here it is:

Welcome to Susquehanna County - Where Bluestone runs the show

My friends, I would suggest strongly to you that whatever scars dot the landscape in Susquehanna County from the stone quarries will pale into insignificance when we start dealing with water issues, hundreds of miles of pipe, REALLY torn up roads, etc., etc. 

If you are an elected official, and have unused public property to lease, I realize the pressure is enormous to get a little extra income for the township or borough’s treasury.  Just realize this, we have one chance to do this right.  If we don’t, I shudder to contemplate the results.  Please educate yourself as much as possible to make an informed decision.  The people who elected you are counting on that fact.  Don’t dissapoint them. 

Remember, it ISN”T always about the money (upfront and/or royalties).  A couple of thousand dollars per acre plus 15 - 25% royalty isn’t worth tearing up your roads and compromising your water supply. 

It IS about the landman from the gas company who isn’t concerned with you (or your constituents) welfare.  Remember, he is the one who uses scare tactics to get you to sign. 

It IS about looking forward 5, 10, 50, 100 years from now and doing the right thing for the future generations of our county, its townships and boroughs. 

It IS about doing DUE DILLIGENCE to represent your constituents correctly.  Please take the time to read the posts and comments which appear below.  Thank you.

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Posted in 2008, Gas Wells | 1 Comment »

Gas Muse 4/5/2008

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

After looking around the web over the past day or so, this writer has found two more links which may be of interest to those of you who are contemplating signing or have already signed.

The first is an article on the American Association of Petroleum Geologists website.  It speaks for itself.

 http://www.aapg.org/explorer/2008/03mar/marcellus.cfm

The second link is from the huntingpa.com site and should be self explanatory as well. 

 http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=569989&fpart=6

The comments on the huntingpa forum are spread over about 9 pages currently.  The bottom of the page on the link has a very relevant comment.  To see other pages, at the very bottom of the page is a box where you can choose the page.  There are quite a number of thoughtful comments as well as some interesting links.

 It seems as if this is a whole lot bigger than most of us know.  You want to get as much real information as you can before committing to this “play”. 

Again, as detailed and documented below, the “landmen” you are dealing with are probably operating outside the law.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is currently investigating this matter.  Watch out.  He or she doesn’t care about your interests, only to get your mineral rights as cheaply as possible.  You will also note that the “landman” from Cabot who posted last week and “Drill in my field” seem to have disappeared.  That should tell you something as well.   

Your thoughts?

Posted in 2008, Gas Wells | 8 Comments »

Scher Trial 4

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

Although convicted of murder twice, Stephen Scher’s attorney filed a motion requesting a new trial or at least an evidentiary hearing.   Cited were a change of venue and judicial misconduct in the motions.

If the readers have read my previous posts on this matter, they will be familiar with the idea that this writer feels that there was no way for him to get a fair trial in Susquehanna County. 

Whether or not the prayer of his petition is granted remains to be seen.  However, if you were in similar circumstances, wouldn’t you want to do everything possible to get yourself acquitted?

Posted in 2008 | No Comments »

More 3 Lakes Sewer Project

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

In case you didn’t read the original posting about the 3 Lakes Sewer Project, here is the link:

3 Lakes Sewer Project - Should there be a Jointure?

justabumpkin wrote about a week ago: 

As noted by “concerned”, conflicts do abound on a commissioner’s part. As BTMA counsel he has filed condemnations against properties owned or heavily tax-liened by the county. The sewer line easements may make these properties worth much less at tax sales and any chance of gaining tax dollars back will be lost - doesn’t the commissioner also have a duty to see that the back taxes are collected? Or is his own self-interest (seeing the sewer project go through to generate major fees for himself) clouding his vision? Is this why he also failed to give statutorily-required notices to the condemnees, to slide it through fast and without scrutiny?

 It is noteworthy that the Bridgewater Municipal Authority, who is embroiled in objections filed by landowners who have had their property condemned for the project, is apparently being represented by Bob Hollister, Esq., who has his office in with Michael Giangrieco, Esq., our minority County Commissioner.  Are we getting closer to a complaint to the Disciplinary Board regarding a significant conflict of interest boys??

At least the case is being heard in Wyoming County.  It’s amazing there was a change of venue for a condemnation case to build a sewer extension, but a guy on trial for his life (Stephen Scher), couldn’t get one.  That will be a separate post.

Your thoughts?

Posted in 2008, 3 Lakes Sewer Project | 2 Comments »

Do the Susquehanna County Commissioners Really Support Tourism or Anything Else?

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

First, this writer owes the readers an apology.  The gas lease issue has become quite consuming -  to the exclusion of other news in the county.

 It was reported in both the Independent and the Transcript that although approved locations in the hospitality industry made $88,000 from room tax for the County Treasury, a request by the Tourism Committee for an $8,000 grant to be used for marketing this year, which was previously not approved, yielded no satisfaction once again.

Although Commissioner Allen stated the Commissioners needed specifics as to where the money is  to be used, a member of the Tourism Committee stated that everything which was spent previously was listed alphabetically and accounted for.  Commissioner Warren noted that they had gone through it.

 Another Committee member stated that although the Commissioners have been invited to Tourism Committee meetings to be educated to make an informed decision, there was no attendance by a Commissioner, nor was anyone sent in their place.  The member commented that the County does not care aobut the project nor how it works.  Commissioner Warren took exception with that comment.

To be clear, it was noted that the funds do not come from a tax or taxpayer funds to form the Tourism Committtee.

The concern is that the Tourism Committee has no funds for marketing for 2008, thus no ads in varioys publications which draw tourists here.

It would seem that if a Committee, through the efforts of their members and others are able to generate $88,000 in one year for the Susquehanna County coffers, the Commissioners should try a little harder to make sure the Committee gets a grant so they have funds to market Our Fair County.  

Like other issues brought to the current Commissioners, the “We are looking into it” seems be the common refrain being sung these days.  Remember, these Commissioners and all other elected officials work for their constituents.  What is occurring here appears to be an obvious LACK of respect for the hard working members of that committee.  It almost sounds like how they are treating the Railroad Authority.  Both entities are staffed with volunteers, both are contributing (or attempting to) contribute to the greater good of the county, so why is there a total lack of (a) respect and (b) support for these agencies? 

Just remember this: Politics reigns supreme in Susquehanna County.  If it is not beneficial to a Commissioner, never mind the greater good of the county, it most likely will not happen. 

What a joke we have become to anyone from outside Our Fair County, what a a series of missed opportunities we are living here. 

What a disgrace these Commissioners  have become to each person who lives here and tries to believe in Susquehanna County.  Wake up Commissioners, it isn’t about you.  Cut the nonsense.  Start representing your constituency. 

Your thoughts?

Posted in 2008 Susq. Co. Commissioners | 10 Comments »

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