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This land is your land — and mine

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy

In honor of Memorial Day I wish to thank all servicemen and women in uniform; past, present, and future. I am forever in your debt for the freedom I enjoy today and you fought for yesterday.

Today, at 5:30 p.m. in Big Flats, Congressman Tom Reed will be cramming his Defense of Property Rights Act down your throat. According to Reed, on Jan. 30th, in the Lansing Star, the bill would defend private property rights by providing an option for compensation on behalf of those unfairly harmed by government action. It would also open the judicial process in a more fair and equitable way. He also released this statement: “Far too often private property owners are left on the sidelines while local, state, and federal governments’ make decisions for them on what they can and cannot do with their property. This is not right; it is not fair; and it is not the American way.”

This bill was conjured up in response to the hydrofracking ban that took effect one month after Reed was re-elected in 2014. It is an obvious conflict of interest because Reed, himself would benefit financially if this bill came to fruition. He owns mineral rights of a property in the town of Tuscarora.

During his town hall he will reach into his D.C. two-step bag and try to trick you into believing that the hydrofracking bill will affect the drilling of natural gas in New York state.

While reading an online publication called the New NY 23rd, I quote: “Many have predicted that this bill (DOPRA) has a super LOW chance of becoming law – as of today, it has NO CO-SPONSORS. If passed this would be a Federal law, not just a New York State law and the effect will be nationwide. It is seen as a Wedge Issue, trying to help Congressman Reed in 2016, like the SAFE Act helped him in 2014.”

Keep in mind that Congressman Reed was, and continues to be the go-to state representative for the Oil/Gas Industry in 2014 – they donated $198,750 to get him re-elected. He remains in their debt and continues to benefit from their support for their legislative needs. Reed, singlehandedly bagged more money from the Oil/Gas Industry than all other state representatives collectively.

Reed is a proponent for hydrofracking (the use of poisonous fluids forced underground by high pressure to shatter the shale and release the gases stored), it is very important to his livelihood. The one exception is that he insists that hydrofracking is too remained banned in the Finger Lakes region, where he maintains a vacation home. So, it’s OK in my neighborhood, but not in your neck of the woods!?!

When the hydrofracking ban was announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Reed took to the airwaves and talked to anyone who would listen; claiming that the federal government has the right to supercede Cuomo’s ban, citing a federal communication law that allows the federal governments needs far outweigh the local zoning laws dealing with the placement of satellite dishes? Are you kidding me?

Reed is desperately looking for backing for his proposal from local, county, state, and federal levels. He even is pedaling this farce to farmers – though he previously voted against farm bills to help farmers in the past. Not to mention, that the poisonous waters that remain from hydrofracking will decimate any and all farm land owned and virtually, useless.

Let’s talk about IF this bill passes..

You. Me. Your family and friends. Your local doctor or nurse. Future generations. We are New York. We would be footing the cost of the disastrous effects of this bill.

Wasn’t the main part of Reed’s platform was that he is striving for smaller government? If he now wants to take over state laws, this makes for bigger government. He says he is forcing the government to provide compensation to affect property owners. This new legislation would create new government payments.

Bottom line: Congressman Tom Reed wants the rights to sue his constituents because he can’t hydrofrack his mineral rights. Priceless.

Give Congressman Reed a call: 607-654-7566. Tell him I told you to call, let him know how you feel about this. #HeIsNotOneOfUs

Cath Kestler is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com

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