Speaking Out Against Fracking

    "This is not a local issue, this is a state wide issue, the effects of this technology are going to affect every town in New York State in an adverse way" says Jack Ossont of Penn Yan, New York.

            It's as old as America, people voicing their opinions in the hopes of making a difference. Today Americans, New Yorkers, just everyday citizens from all walks of life came together to inspire change.

            Tamara Kelsey of Clinton says, "Hopefully a big impact, I know there are also rallies that have gone on nationally. So I was talking to a lady who just got back from D.C. and they had about 5,000 people down there so hopefully it will have a good impact."

            The issue appears to hit home for young and old, and cross party lines. Registered Republican Spike Jones believes this is an issue that people need to be proactive about.

            "We never shut the barn door until the horse is gone, ok, this is just the way we do things in this country. And basically in this fracking issue, the horse hasn't really run out yet because they haven't moved into the state. So it's hard to get people rallied about it and stop it before it happens" says Jones.

            New Hartford resident Carleton Corey says, "Once they've done some homework and they realize what this issue is, if they don't get involved in this issue, I can't see any issue that they would get involved in."

Many protesters say they are against fracking for the environmental hazards and some feel those hazards could have a negative economic impact as well.

            Ossont added, "It's a boom and bust, you'll get some initial money that is coming into communities to benefit certain businesses. But tourism, wineries agriculture, those things that are the hallmark of a lot of rural New York are adversely affected"