I had a dream

By JACK DANCHAK

I am for natural gas drilling here in Sullivan County and most people know it. I am constantly talking to people about the benefits and how prosperous Sullivan County would be when gas drilling is permitted. One woman I spoke to recently said to me, “Jack, you are a dreamer”.

Yes, she is correct. I am a dreamer, but many times my dreams have come true. That night “I had a dream,” and I must tell you about it.

I dreamed our state and county legislators finally got it. They realized that drilling for natural gas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people located in the Marcellus Shale Corridor, and we must take advantage of it. I dreamed permits were finally issued to gas companies and the state and county were now doing their part to help get energy independence for America.

I dreamed that Sullivan County came alive with the influx of people and jobs that were not here before. Gas companies need working crews, truck drivers and security guards, just to mention a few. Even if they import workers, those workers will need lodging, food, gas and supplies.

I dreamed that our grocery stores, mini-markets, motels, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and bars were busy and people were happy and spending money. Sales taxes were pouring into our county government and the economy of New York and Sullivan County took a drastic upswing.

I dreamed that our county government, which owns 1,973 acres of land, received gas lease monies of $11,838,000 and millions yet to come from 20% royalties when gas is produced. Our legislators and county manager were rejoicing and removed the financial cuts to all county departments and took off the hiring freeze along with the salary increase freeze.

I dreamed that the thousands of landowners, including the farmers and hunting and fishing clubs, were compensated for leasing their properties and now are relieved of worrying about losing their properties due to financial stress.

I dreamed that instead of stocking fish and game in our county with an allocation of $16,000 annually, with donations from gas companies, we are now stocking $100,000 worth of fish and game.

I dreamed that the TV stations proclaimed Sullivan County to be the fastest economic growing county in the United States, and people came from all over to see what was happening here.

Yes “I had a dream” and it was a wonderful dream, and you know, sometimes dreams come true!

(Jack Danchak is a resident of Swan Lake, NY.)