Athens County

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Oct 7, 2021

Columbus Free Press: Beware the Brine

Columbus Free Press: Beware the Brine

Members of OHCRN have called on Ohio’s Attorney General, Dave Yost, to open an investigation into the violation of Ohio law and the criminal actions of state officials and industry who were and are well aware that this brine is highly radioactive, yet still approve and allow it to be spread in Ohio communities.

Read More | Chemical Trespass, News from the Grassroots

Feb 4, 2019

News Release: Ohio Community Members File Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit

News Release: Ohio Community Members File Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit

Communities from across Ohio file a federal lawsuit against local Boards of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State for multiple rights violations – including the right to vote.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Aug 17, 2018

Court of Appeals Decides to Avoid Voting Rights Issue, Denies Athens Residents an Appeal

Court of Appeals Decides to Avoid Voting Rights Issue, Denies Athens Residents an Appeal

Athens County, OH, residents advancing Community Rights to protect themselves from fracking through citizen initiative are denied their appeal.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Mar 27, 2018

Dick McGinn – A Life of Service

Dick McGinn – A Life of Service

CELDF, OHCRN, and Ohio communities grieve the loss of Dick McGinn, and celebrate his life and contributions. He was a passionate leader in growing Community Rights in Ohio.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 8, 2018

The Athens News: Bill of Rights group and CELDF deserve praise for their work

The Athens News: Bill of Rights group and CELDF deserve praise for their work

An Athens County, OH, community member makes it clear: The people of Athens aren’t giving up their rights to govern themselves and protect their community from fracking wastewater, regardless of what the state says.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 1, 2018

The Athens News: Judges to hear appeal of Board of Elections’ rejection of charter

The Athens News: Judges to hear appeal of Board of Elections’ rejection of charter

Denied their right to vote by the Athens County Board of Elections in Ohio, county residents make their case today in the 4th district court of appeals. Residents qualified a rights-based county charter initiative in 2017 that banned fracking activities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 11, 2018

The Athens News: City Council commits to codifying citizen-OKed laws, including anti-fracking, pot de-penalization

The Athens News: City Council commits to codifying citizen-OKed laws, including anti-fracking, pot de-penalization

Protecting water means enforcing their Community Bill of Rights fracking ban, says Athens, OH, residents. The rights-based law was adopted overwhelmingly by residents in 2014.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 7, 2017

The New Political: Here’s how the Ohio Community Rights Network is reforming the Ohio Constitution

The New Political: Here’s how the Ohio Community Rights Network is reforming the Ohio Constitution

CELDF, the Ohio Community Rights Network, and Athens County, OH, residents are partnering together to advance democratic and environmental rights to all Ohio residents.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 25, 2017

The Athens News: High Court shoots down third local anti-fracking charter

The Athens News: High Court shoots down third local anti-fracking charter

When county residents in Ohio seek to reform their government, that very government blocks them. At stake: communities’ clean air and water, and their right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 24, 2017

Desmog: Ohio Communities Face ‘Voter Suppression’ in Push to Rein in Oil and Gas Development

Desmog: Ohio Communities Face ‘Voter Suppression’ in Push to Rein in Oil and Gas Development

What’s going on in Ohio? Voter suppression in the form of blocking rights-based citizen initiatives from the ballot for a vote. Who’s behind it? The oil and gas industry and their allies.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 21, 2017

Press Release: People’s Constitutional Right to Form Charter Government Stricken by Ohio Supreme Court

Press Release: People’s Constitutional Right to Form Charter Government Stricken by Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court places insurmountable requirements on county charter initiatives. For three years, counties have attempted to protect themselves from fracking through advancing rights-based charter initiatives.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 22, 2017

Press Release: Ohio Residents Take Fight for Right to Vote to Ohio Supreme Court

Press Release: Ohio Residents Take Fight for Right to Vote to Ohio Supreme Court

Boards of Elections use new found authority to block citizen initiatives off the ballot in Athens and Medina Counties in Ohio. CELDF is assisting residents to fight back, taking it to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 5, 2017

The Athens News: Let the people of Athens County have a vote on county charter

The Athens News: Let the people of Athens County have a vote on county charter

A resident and attorney in Athens County, OH, urges support for the county charter initiative advanced by community members to protect the county from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 2, 2017

The Athens News: Anti-fracking group protests rejection of county charter

The Athens News: Anti-fracking group protests rejection of county charter

For a third year, Athens County, OH, residents battle efforts to keep them from voting on their qualified charter initiative. The measure bans fracking activities as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 27, 2017

The Athens News: Judge rules charter petition had enough signatures after all

The Athens News: Judge rules charter petition had enough signatures after all

For a 3rd year, Athens County, OH, residents fight to protect themselves from fracking activities through a rights-based Home Rule charter. They continue to come up against the corporate state blocking them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 11, 2017

Press Release: Athens and Medina Boards of Elections Spark Uproar, Refuse the People’s Initiatives

Press Release: Athens and Medina Boards of Elections Spark Uproar, Refuse the People’s Initiatives

Ohio county Boards of Elections block Home Rule charter citizen initiatives from the ballot, raising frustration in Athens and Medina County residents. The rights-based measures banned fracking activities as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jun 29, 2017

The Athens News: Committee submits anti-fracking charter petitions to county Board of Elections

The Athens News: Committee submits anti-fracking charter petitions to county Board of Elections

Athens County, OH, residents submit signatures to place a community rights county charter on the November ballot. The charter bans fracking activities as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 1, 2017

Press Release: Ohio Communities Assert Right to Propose Laws Protecting Themselves from Fracking

Press Release: Ohio Communities Assert Right to Propose Laws Protecting Themselves from Fracking

Ohio counties exercise their right to protect themselves from fracking activities using community rights. Residents begin gathering signatures for county charter initiatives, aiming for the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Apr 23, 2017

The Athens News: Athens County, OH, residents advance community rights charter initiative

The Athens News: Athens County, OH, residents advance community rights charter initiative

Athens County, OH, residents pursue third-year effort to advance community rights and ban fracking activities in the face of continued state efforts to block them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 17, 2017

WOUB Athens, OH – Interview with CELDF’s Tish O’Dell

WOUB Athens, OH – Interview with CELDF’s Tish O’Dell

CELDF’s Tish O’Dell interviewed on WOUB radio on Community Rights for Social Justice Workshop: Growing Roots and Rights. Myriad issues share a common root problem: a structure of law and governance that blocks our right to local community self-government. Learn here what you can do about it.

Read More | Uncategorized

Oct 21, 2016

Truthout: Democracy Deferred: Ohio Removes Anti-Fracking Measures From County Ballots

Truthout: Democracy Deferred: Ohio Removes Anti-Fracking Measures From County Ballots

In Ohio and elsewhere, when democracy threatens the oil and gas industry, those occupying our legal and governing structures take liberty in interpreting the law on industry’s behalf. The result: democratic suppression and an open door to frack.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 16, 2016

The New Political: Athens anti-fracking charter welcomes Tish O’Dell for fundraiser

The New Political: Athens anti-fracking charter welcomes Tish O’Dell for fundraiser

Athens County, OH, residents issue a call to action for next steps in their work to protect against fracking activities. The Athens County Community Bill of Rights group held a fundraiser with guest speaker Tish O’Dell, from CELDF.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 26, 2016

The Post: Athens County anti-fracking charter determined ‘invalid’ by Ohio Supreme Court

The Post: Athens County anti-fracking charter determined ‘invalid’ by Ohio Supreme Court

Athens County, OH, residents’ frustration grows as the corporate state refuses to recognize their authority to vote on their own county charter measures. Residents face threats to their water, air, and soil from fracking wastewater injection wells, and were using charters to ban them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 16, 2016

Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio Supreme Court derails efforts to put anti-fracking measures on ballots

Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio Supreme Court derails efforts to put anti-fracking measures on ballots

Athens, Meigs, and Portage County, OH, residents decry the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision blocking their county charter initiatives from the ballot. Residents face fracking harms and government officials intent on blocking them from protecting themselves.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 15, 2016

Energy Wire: Ohio Supreme Court keeps anti-fracking measures off ballot

Energy Wire: Ohio Supreme Court keeps anti-fracking measures off ballot

While the Ohio Supreme Court blocks the right to initiative in three counties, one judge dissents, calling the court’s action “a usurpation of power from the people that we should not indulge.” Residents declare their commitment to protect their communities’ land, air, and water from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 15, 2016

The Athens News: Supreme Court flushes county charters yet again

The Athens News: Supreme Court flushes county charters yet again

Residents in three Ohio counties find no justice in the courts as the state and oil/gas industry succeed in blocking their County Charter initiatives from the ballot this fall.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 14, 2016

Columbus Free Press: Ohio residents stand with Standing Rock, protest Nexus pipeline

Columbus Free Press: Ohio residents stand with Standing Rock, protest Nexus pipeline

OHCRN members from across Ohio staged street theater and spoke out in support of the Standing Rock Sioux in front of the state house. Residents are fighting fracking, pipelines, and other infrastructure, to protect air, land, and water, as the corporate state tries to block them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Supreme Court says no to Athens County charter proposal

The Athens Messenger: Supreme Court says no to Athens County charter proposal

The Ohio Supreme Court refuses to place Athens, Meigs, and Portage Counties’ rights-based Charters on the November ballot. County residents are working to protect their communities from fracking and its infrastructure through their right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

Press Release: Right to Initiative Rendered Dead by Ohio Supreme Court

Press Release: Right to Initiative Rendered Dead by Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court finds on behalf of the oil and gas industry and the colluding state government. The people’s duly qualified rights-based county charter measures are again blocked from the ballot. One Justice dissents, defending the right to local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Sep 1, 2016

The Athens News: Ohio Supreme Court receives arguments over charter proposal

The Athens News: Ohio Supreme Court receives arguments over charter proposal

Three Ohio counties submit their case to the Ohio Supreme Court: the right to local community self-government is protected in federal and state constitutions, and their rights-based Charter initiatives should be placed on the November ballot for a vote by the people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 1, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Charter supporters ask Ohio Supreme Court to change its prior ruling

The Athens Messenger: Charter supporters ask Ohio Supreme Court to change its prior ruling

Athens, Meigs, and Portage County, OH, residents make their case for their constitutional right to vote on qualified County Charter initiatives this fall. The measures include bans on fracking activities. County Boards of Elections and Secretary of State Husted are blocking the measures.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 20, 2016

Desmog Blog: Ohio Residents Clash With State and County Government in Fight to Ban Fracking via the Ballot

Desmog Blog: Ohio Residents Clash With State and County Government in Fight to Ban Fracking via the Ballot

The right to local democratic self-governance becomes a political debate as Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, county boards of elections, and the oil and gas industry block citizen initiatives banning fracking. Ohio residents refuse to surrender their fight for their rights or their communities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 19, 2016

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Sides with Oil/Gas Industry Again Over Community Rights

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Sides with Oil/Gas Industry Again Over Community Rights

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted demonstrates his loyalty to the oil and gas industry by trying to block citizen initiatives. The initiatives propose county charters that ban fracking activities. Residents are fighting back, appealing Husted’s decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 7, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Husted opens charter dispute to outside parties

The Athens Messenger: Husted opens charter dispute to outside parties

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted – an oil and gas industry ally – will decide whether or not to place three rights-based county charter measures on the November ballot. Residents are prepared to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 27, 2016

The Athens News: Charter petition protest skips local court, will go to Ohio Sec. of State

The Athens News: Charter petition protest skips local court, will go to Ohio Sec. of State

Athens County, OH, residents protest the Board of Elections attempt to keep their rights-based County Charter initiative off the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 26, 2016

WOUB Digital: Athens Charter Group Protests Election Board Decision

WOUB Digital: Athens Charter Group Protests Election Board Decision

Residents of Athens County submit their protest against the County Board of Elections’ refusal to place their duly qualified County Charter on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 25, 2016

Press Release: Athens County Residents Fight for Right to Initiative

Press Release: Athens County Residents Fight for Right to Initiative

Athens County, OH, residents worked with CELDF to file a protest today against their Board of Elections. The Board blocked their qualified County Charter initiative banning fracking wastewater injection wells from the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jul 17, 2016

The Athens News: Anti-fracking group leaning toward appeal of local Board of Elections rejection of petitions

The Athens News: Anti-fracking group leaning toward appeal of local Board of Elections rejection of petitions

Athens County, OH, residents face oil and gas industry allies blocking their rights-based County Charter measure from the November ballot, despite meeting initiative requirements. Supporters will challenge the decision, asserting their right to citizen initiative.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 17, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Charter group claims election board member has conflict of interests

The Athens Messenger: Charter group claims election board member has conflict of interests

Ohio Gas Association President JImmy Stewart sees no conflict of interest in his appointment to the Meigs County Board of Elections, as he leads the charge to block a rights-based County Charter measure banning fracking. Residents disagree; consider next steps.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 15, 2016

OHCRN Statement: County Boards of Elections Attempt to Stifle Democracy: Meigs, Athens and Medina Counties

OHCRN Statement: County Boards of Elections Attempt to Stifle Democracy: Meigs, Athens and Medina Counties

Efforts in Ohio by local Boards of Elections to block rights-based County Charter initiatives banning fracking fail to disempower We the People.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Jul 14, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Charter committee weighs options for challenging election board decision

The Athens Messenger: Charter committee weighs options for challenging election board decision

Athens County, OH, residents intend to challenge the Board of Elections vote to keep their County Charter initiative off the November ballot. Residents are advancing the right to local self-government, including banning fracking activities, to protect themselves from harm.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 10, 2016

The Athens Messenger: The only ‘fringe’ elements are those advocating fracking

The Athens Messenger: The only ‘fringe’ elements are those advocating fracking

An Athens County, OH, resident calls out an oil & gas industry representative who attempted to belittle Community Rights supporters as they spoke out against fracking harms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 10, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Election board says proposed Athens County charter not valid

The Athens Messenger: Election board says proposed Athens County charter not valid

The Athens County, OH, Board of Elections exerts power of residents, refusing to certify their Community Rights Charter initiative banning fracking – despite having the required number of signatures.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 1, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Petitions submitted for second attempt to place anti-fracking law on county ballot

The Athens Messenger: Petitions submitted for second attempt to place anti-fracking law on county ballot

Athens County, OH, residents submit signatures to place a Community Rights county charter on the November ballot that would maintain the current governing structure while banning fracking as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 30, 2016

Press Release: Ohioans Determined to Stop Fracking through Asserting Rights

Press Release: Ohioans Determined to Stop Fracking through Asserting Rights

Last summer, the corporate state led efforts to keep Ohioans from voting on fracking bans. Ohio communities are back in action, refusing to be deterred, and committed to protecting their communities. Five ballot measures are submitted this week for November.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Mar 14, 2016

Press Release: Ohio Residents Launch Community Rights Petition Campaigns throughout the State on Primary Day

Press Release: Ohio Residents Launch Community Rights Petition Campaigns throughout the State on Primary Day

Five Ohio counties and cities launch Community Bills of Rights campaigns to protect themselves from fracking activities. Residents are aiming for the November 2016 ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 10, 2016

The Athens News: County group plans to bring charter proposal back in November

The Athens News: County group plans to bring charter proposal back in November

Athens County, OH, residents advance a Community Rights County Charter banning frack wastewater injection wells for the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 30, 2015

Common Dreams: Preempting Democracy: What’s Not Being Voted on This November Is Sinister

Common Dreams: Preempting Democracy: What’s Not Being Voted on This November Is Sinister

State preemptive action to quash local initiatives that are advancing environmental and worker rights are multiplying – and may be the catalyst for rights-based efforts to join together to confront these preemptive attacks on the right to local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 17, 2015

Eye on Ohio: Ohio Supreme Court rules against anti-fracking ballot measures

Eye on Ohio: Ohio Supreme Court rules against anti-fracking ballot measures

Reporter Simon Davis-Cohen provides in-depth reporting on state and industry efforts to keep fracking and pipeline initiatives off the ballot in Ohio – including the state’s use of oil and gas industry law firms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots