County denies oil search permit

From today's Daily Telegram:

County denies oil search permit

A request to conduct a seismic survey to search for oil and gas reserves at Gerber Hill Park near Deerfield was turned down Monday by the Lenawee County Parks Commission.

“I think it’s inconsistent with a park and it’s inconsistent with Mr. Gerber’s wishes. I think we should say no,” said commission member Dan Bruggeman. He said Frank Gerber donated the property as a county park to preserve its vulnerable sand hill formation.

Cutting survey sight lines through wooded areas, driving a heavy tractor on the hill and setting off explosive charges used in the seismic testing could all damage the sensitive property, he said.

“I think we have an obligation to the Gerber family not to do this,” said county commissioner Cletus Smith, R-Madison Twp.

There is no obligation for the county to aid the search for oil and gas in the area, said commissioner Ralph Tillotson, R-Adrian Twp. The company can find another path to survey property in the area if the park is not available, he said.

My commentary:
The Lenawee County Parks Commission showed more integrity and courage than the City of Adrian did in the past when Savoy wanted to build their central processing facility (now on Witt Farm) in Heritage Park, which is - like the Gerner Hill Park - also a donation. It was only due to massive citizen protest - and the availability of the Witt Farm property - that Heritage Park is today only disgraced by a oil pump and not a large processing plant...