Richard Hayes -- Paralyzed By Caution

Cautious, careful people . . . never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and . . . bear the consequences.

- Susan B. Anthony 

It is no small task to respond to the recent letter from Commissioner Richard Hayes.  The first sentence was 59 words long. And it was replete with the grammatical twists and turns similar to his sometimes muddled discussion of issues before the county commission. Having spent hours in commission meetings, here is a reasonable take away from the letter.


Governments in nearby counties with more wealth and lower unemployment than ours are already passing resolutions against the extraction of shale gas; some are even hiring lobbyists.  These actions have been taken even before the conclusion of a comprehensive study by the Department Of National Resources.

Commissioner Hayes wrote that he is "surprised, but not concerned".  Of course not, he seems to agree with the governing bodies who have rushed to judgement on local shale gas extraction without consideration of the potential economic lift to Lee County's sagging economy.
 
No one wants to go forward without understanding the possible environmental risks. These risks need to be balanced against the short and long term economic and social benefits.   

Hayes goes on to offer a long list, including a statewide referendum, of the cautions required to  exercise an "abundance of caution", one of his favorite phrases. Nothing is mentioned about being cautious over regulation that would strangle a step toward energy independence.

This is a hint of Commissioner Hayes stance on the commissioners consideration of a largely symbolic resolution in favor of letting the facts settle the issue and opposing the rush to judgment by other counties. There will never be "enough" evidence to cut through the environmentalists' caution tape blocking the way to a potential solution to a failing Lee County economy. Richard Hayes "would like to believe" that the issue will die without  his having to take a definitive position on a modest step to protect even the opportunity of a boon to Lee County. Now is not the time to reveal a liberal bent.

It is time for Lee County voters to be concerned, if not surprised, about where Richard Hayes is stuck on this issue.