DUBOIS – The DuBois City Council unanimously voted down seismic testing on its portion of the watershed at Monday night’s meeting. Councilman Randy Schmidt initiated the motion.
Councilman Jim Aughenbaugh seconded the motion, saying he felt the council still didn’t have all of the information even after a public presentation last week. Afterward, members of the public applauded the council’s vote.
“I just wanted to stand here and commend everyone, including our city manager and solicitor for all that they have done,” said Sam Miles of the DuBois Watershed Committee. Miles suggested that the council work with its surrounding communities and EQT Corp. so far as source water protection.
When commenting on the vote, Aughenbaugh said council members needed to work together as a team all of the time. Councilman Edward Walsh said its vote was the result of listening to public criticism and conducting the informational presentation.
Walsh was disturbed by apparent false information in regards to claims that council had plans to “just railroad it through.” He said, “I compare that to yelling fire in an open room.
Walsh also said its top priority was protecting the city’s water. He was displeased that an unnamed committee member provided information to Seitel Data Inc. without the council’s permission.
City Solicitor Toni Cherry said the council members needed to work as one body, not as individuals. She said committees were bodies with an advisory role, and their members did not have individual power.
“If we truly want to protect this watershed, we can only act as one body,” said Cherry. She added that if an individual disagreed, they shouldn’t continue being a member of their committee.
City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio urged council to consider obtaining water monitoring equipment. Kellie Williams, the watershed technician for the Clearfield County Conservation District offered to assist the council.
