We Won’t Take It Anymore

I was saddened this week to read about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) release of REX’s latest Environmental Impact Statement and the commission’s staff ruling that the company’s plan be approved. In spite of this I am still hopeful that Indiana’s Governor or its two U.S. Senators and the district’s congressional representative will still stand up and tell the 5-member commission that the 37,000 southeastern Indiana residents are tired and just won’t take it anymore.

Meanwhile, I am so proud of the members of the Franklin County Area Plan Commission who recently voted unanimously to turn down the “special exception application” from REX. I am also proud of the county’s citizens who for months have written letters to this newspaper explaining why they were opposed to this project and arguing for its defeat.

Finally, I am proud of this newspaper’s editor, John Estridge, who in his most recent editorial so deservedly castigated Indiana’s congressional delegation and its Governor for seemingly caving in to the rich and powerful and in so doing putting 37,000 of our sisters and brothers and future generations of Franklin County residents at serious risk of their property and their lives.

As a former Franklin County resident with still deep roots in this community I strongly suggest that each person who reads this letter write or call their representatives and tell them that if and when the FERC approves this dastardly project they will no longer have your vote in the fall elections. Only by taking such action now can Franklin County residents stop the next great incursion on their rights, liberties and lives.

Most respectfully,

William R. Benedict