Partnership resolution sparks criticism

Providing ‘balance’ to environmental groups’ message

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — According to a statement sent to its membership, the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development is moving to “conduct an educational campaign regarding the potential benefits of safe gas drilling for the Sullivan County community.”

Also on the gas drilling front, on June 1 the partnership board voted to join with its counterparts in Delaware County and Wayne County, in Pennsylvania, to “form a tri-county coalition in an effort to provide information based on sound research to its residents with regard to the natural gas exploration industry.”

Nearly a year ago, the partnership, passed a resolution supporting gas drilling in Sullivan County so long as the industry could move forward with a model that is locally sustainable, and at the same time protects the environment.

But since that was passed, Josh Sommers, the chairman of the partnership wrote, “we have observed a well-organized and funded anti-drilling coalition wield a campaign that is shaping news coverage, opinions and policy”—thus the perceived need for a balancing educational campaign.

The recent moves have been criticized by Bruce Ferguson, founder of Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, who sent a letter to Sommers. Among several objections, Ferguson was disappointed that the partnership did not consult its membership or the community about the policy.

Sommers responded that the partnership is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c) 6 organization, and it is the job of the partnership’s elected board to create policy. The partnership is funded by its members, the Industrial Development Agency and the county.

Ferguson questioned whether it was appropriate for the partnership to conduct an educational campaign about gas drilling, many aspects of which it has no expertise in, to be paid for, at least in part, by tax dollars.

Also, Ferguson wanted to know, “Who on the partnership board stands to personally profit if gas drilling come to Sullivan County?”

Sommers responded, “The partnership was created to help the business community and its members profit from the economic opportunities that come to the county. If a new business comes to our area as a result of our efforts and a member, including a board member, profits from a relationship with that new business, than we have fulfilled our mission.”

Ferguson responded again, “I find this statement deeply troubling. Do you mean to suggest that board members are free to use their position with the partnership to further their own interests?” Ferguson asked that the board disclose which members would personally profit from gas drilling.

In response to a question from The River Reporter, Sommers wrote, “Partnership board members sign a strict code of conduct that includes a mandate to ‘declare any and all duality of interests or conflicts of interest, material or otherwise, that may impede or be perceived as impeding the capacity to deliberate or act in the good faith, on behalf of the best interests of the Partnership.’ The Partnership continuously monitors to ensure that board members comply with this standard. We have not uncovered any issues.”