Last Thursday evening I attended the “Meet the Candidates Forum” at the CVI Building to hear from each of the Sullivan County Legislative Candidates running for office in Liberty. I wanted to find out where the stand on a variety of issues that are important to me and my community. For me, one of the most important is the hydro-fracking to extract gas in our county.

Jodi Goodman, current legislator for District Six, where I live, said that since hydro-fracking is coming anyway, we have to find a way to make it safer. I fully disagree with that response. I was heartened to hear that Cora Edwards, also running for District Six, says she is personally against hydro-fracking given the level of contaminants that are used in the process and the radioactive gases that are released. If hydro-fracking is effectively banned in the New York City Watershed, why is it not also banned in the rest of Sullivan County.

It will not get stopped any other way, unless people say, “No.” Don’t we want our elected legislator representing our best interests – someone who will fight against hydro-fracking, keep our environment safe for all of us? That is why I am voting for Cora Edwards on November 8.

Kathy Harkins

Liberty, NY