Falsehoods Helped Sink Town Board Campaign

Edition of Friday, Sept. 26

To The Editor:

I lost the Democratic Primary in the Town of Oneonta, but I am proud to say that I did so with my integrity intact. Not one negative article was written, no personal attacks were launched and petitions were not challenged.

As I visited homes throughout the town, I tried to focus on my positions and to explain my experiences in municipal governance. However, this became very difficult when I was repeatedly informed by voters that they were told – by my opponent – that I was a staunch supporter of hydraulic fracturing. Additionally, the proof of this was my association with Citizen Voices. At least the information was half right!

I do participate in Citizen Voices because I believe in the mission: To support a pro-growth economic environment which will provide job opportunities for present and future generations, while balancing the beauty of the area and preserving our natural resources.

If our critics happened to attend one of our Wednesday morning meetings they would witness some spirited debates that would clearly indicate we disagree on many other issues, but not on the core belief: Economic development can be accomplished in an environmentally responsible manner.

The contention that I support hydraulic fracturing in the Town of Oneonta is not true. I initially believed that the state Department of Environmental Conservation should be given an opportunity to act, but the Governor’s blatant political maneuvering with the Department of Health made it clear that he had no intention of allowing that to happen – at least not until after the November elections.

The excellent presentation by Chip Northrup and Lou Allstadt further convinced me that hydraulic fracturing in Otsego County was not a desirable path to economic expansion. Finally, the Court of Appeals affirmation of the lower court ruling allayed my fears that the home rule ban might be found unconstitutional.

In short, I fully support the ban and to imply otherwise is dishonest and a disservice to the voters in the Town of Oneonta.

I have been a conservationist since April 22, 1970, when, as a 19 year old, I participated in the first Earth Day celebration. I am in my third decade as a contributor to The Nature Conservancy, The Wilderness Society and The National Audubon Society.

We (with my wife Gail) drive four-cylinder cars and live in a passive solar home that was my own “green” design. By the end of October we will have a fully operational solar tracking system at our home.

On Aug. 26 – a full two weeks before the primary – I e-mailed this information to my opponent because I was concerned that the voters were being misinformed. Nothing changed and false information continued to be spread.

I believe that the voters in the Town of Oneonta are better served if they have the facts. I intend to make sure that happens in the future and I believe an open and honest public debate is the best way to accomplish this. I look forward to the opportunity.

DAVE ROWLEY
West Oneonta