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With 83 percent of anti-fracking ballot measures in Ohio having failed or been ruled invalid by various courts, it’s certainly fair to say that the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) has been marginalized.

However, despite the onslaught of defeats, CELDF continues to abuse Ohio cities by pushing anti-fracking ballot measures on them. On Election Day two cities, Youngstown and Waterville, will vote on the so-called Community Bill of Rights.  In response, coalition groups comprised of business leaders, elected officials, and unions are organizing to defeat the measures. In other words, CELDF will once again face strong opposition.

Here’s what you need to know about both ballot measures:

City of Youngstown Issue 4: Community Bill of Rights

Five Times Failed, CELDF Abuses Voters for Sixth Time

If at first you don’t succeed, try six times? That’s the story in Youngstown, where voters will go to the ballot for the sixth consecutive time on “Issue 4” to vote on the Community Bill of Rights – and taxpayers will be footing the bill.

Taxpayers Have Already Spent Tens of Thousands

So far, the measure has cost taxpayers over $80,000 just to go on the ballot for the first five defeats. With this upcoming “Issue 4” on the ballot, it’s guaranteed to cost several thousand more.

Campaign Using Children (Again) To Advance Agenda

The Youngstown Community Bill of Rights is, of course, the brain child of CELDF, but it is also being pushed by Frack Free Mahoning Valley, led by Dr. Ray and Susie Biersdorfer. The Biersdorfers were recently at the center of an opinion editorial from the Youngstown Vindicator entitled “Frick and Frack are Back,” recalling that just a few months ago Susie Biersdorfer was caught attacking me personally, while I was nine months pregnant. In short, to say these ...