Growing up on a dairy farm in Tioga County, I've seen life through the eyes of people who spent their entire existence scrapping out a living just to support their families. My grandfather ran a dragline in the strip mines and farmed just to make ends meet. Only when the farm was paid for could he become a full time farmer. Many locals have sold their properties, hoping to save enough money to retire.
Enter the gas industry. An unexpected windfall from gas money whether you have a well on or under your property, mineral rights or one of hundreds of the support industries, this is many of the locals only chance to live comfortably. Just like the lottery your not going to turn away this once in a lifetime money. Now I realize that not everything is perfect with gas drilling, but nothing ever is. There will be problems. The truck traffic through Morris is a pain, but a lot of that traffic is locals hired out to the industry.
I was angry to read the article about the Hollywood fat cats touring our state. Who cares what they think about us? Go crawl back under your rock and mind your own business. We don't need your bloated opinions or your wannabe star status. This is our lives, this is our problems, stay out! Maybe Yoko could tour the shooting sites in Williamsport, then give her opinions about it!
It is the general opinion that those who are against the gas industry are the ones who aren't making any money from it.
All I'm asking is to see this through the eyes of those who have lived here all of our lives, not those who are just passing through.
Tim Kreger
Morris
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
