Those opposed to gas drilling now have their own group in Tioga county. The recently formed Residents Against Fracking Tioga–or RAFT– is teaming up with VERSE, the Vestal group with the same sentiment and the Coalition to Protect New York to bring to light the dangers of hydro-fracking at a forum this Sunday in Owego. A Coalition representative, Maura Stephens of Spencer, says that Tioga County is behind the rest of the region in learning what she calls the “whole story” –the non-gas company story about hydro-fracking. The forum aims to correct that with presentations by a physicist about the science of the technique, an endocrinologist about the health dangers, two Pennsylvania dairy farmers who have experienced the effects of fracking and an attorney working with anti-fracking community groups. The forum takes place Sunday at 6:30 pm at the Hubbard Auditorim, 56 Main Street, Owego.
Popularity: 4% [?]
If you are interested in joining our mailing list, please submit your email below. 
When the general public is invited to a meeting they should not be allowed to become random victims of attack by the speakers to create a favorable dramatic environment for the speaker. The moderator, Mark Trabucco, allowed the speaker, David Slottje, to level a vicious and unfounded attack on me for a full 10 minutes in front of the packed auditorium. Mr. Trabucco allowed Mr. Slottje to call me and another man “monkeys” and stated that we were not gentlemen. I made no public statements nor did I make any motions to engage Mr. Slottje in his tirade. Before he started to speak Mr. Slottje invited me to step outside, I assume to beat me up. It is up to public safety officials and the police to protect innocent members of the public when these two men are at a meeting. Protection should be demanded in the future.