As a concerned resident of Ferguson Township, I participated in signature gathering on the petition to amend the Ferguson Township Home Rule Charter to include a Community Bill of Rights. This would guarantee us the right to pure water, clean air and a sustainable-energy future. It also guarantees us the rights of self governance.
To secure and protect these rights, it includes a ban on new natural gas extraction and bans the transportation, storage and disposal of associated waste.
A total of 857 signatures were collected in seven weeks by 11 circulators. The petition was filed with the Centre County Board of Elections on Aug. 6.
According to an article in the CDT on Aug. 8, township Manager Mark Kunkle suggested the township file for an injunction to prevent this question from appearing on the ballot in November. This would be in direct conflict with our right to petition as residents of Ferguson Township under our Home Rule Charter.
At the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors meeting Aug. 20, the township solicitor, Lewis Steinberg, reported that the attorney for the proponents had pointed out that it would be inappropriate to enjoin at this time because it is not yet law.
We will have the opportunity to vote this fall on a ballot question giving us the right to protect our community for the future!
I hope voters will vote yes on this critical issue.
Pam Steckler State College
