Medina 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 5, 2019

The Gazette: Boards of elections, secretary of state sued over ballot rejections

The Gazette: Boards of elections, secretary of state sued over ballot rejections

Medina County, Ohio, residents are part of a federal Civil Rights lawsuit filed to protect the rights of Ohio citizens to vote on proposed citizen initiatives. The lawsuit was filed after years of state officials blocking community members from the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, 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

Nov 11, 2017

The Post: Charter proponents protest outside board of elections

The Post: Charter proponents protest outside board of elections

Community Rights activists speak out against Medina County’s BOE blocking a proposed county charter citizen initiative. Residents gathered 17,000 signatures to place the measure on the November ballot.

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 11, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: LTE: Fallout from the oil and gas industry

Akron Beacon Journal: LTE: Fallout from the oil and gas industry

A Medina Co, OH, resident invites elected officials to see what’s happening in Carroll and Noble Counties, where residents suffer harms from fossil fuel projects marring the countryside.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 22, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Pipeline opponents gagged in Medina County

Akron Beacon Journal: Pipeline opponents gagged in Medina County

Medina, OH, resident lays out the gagging of democratic rights by county government when residents advanced a measure to protect themselves from the Nexus pipeline and compressor station – and the harms that will come with those projects.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 18, 2017

The Gazette: Judge rejects county charter complaint

The Gazette: Judge rejects county charter complaint

The right of Medina Co., OH, residents to alter their government through citizen initiative is denied by a Common Pleas judge. Residents are considering next steps.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 14, 2017

The Gazette: Board’s charter decision an insult to democracy

The Gazette: Board’s charter decision an insult to democracy

Medina County, OH, resident calls out the County Board of Elections for their refusal to let the people vote on their qualified county charter initiative. The measure secures democratic and environmental rights, and bans fracking infrastructure.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 11, 2017

The Gazette: Elections board doesn’t certify county charter petitions

The Gazette: Elections board doesn’t certify county charter petitions

Medina County, OH, residents find the Board of Elections blocking their initiative to establish a Home Rule charter, refusing to allow citizens to vote on their own measure.

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

Jul 9, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Petition decision is important

Akron Beacon Journal: Petition decision is important

On Monday, the Medina County, OH, Board of Elections is meeting to certify residents’ petition for a Home Rule county charter measure on the ballot. This Medina resident urges citizens to attend and insist on their right to vote on the people’s initiative.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 9, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Myths about the Nexus pipeline

Akron Beacon Journal: Myths about the Nexus pipeline

A resident of Medina County spells out what the problem is with the Nexus pipeline threatening to cut through the county – and what residents can do about it through a rights-based county charter.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 29, 2017

The Gazette: NEXUS foes try charter again

The Gazette: NEXUS foes try charter again

Facing the Nexus pipeline to transport fracked gas, Medina County, OH, residents turn in petitions to place a rights-based county charter on the ballot. The measure protects environmental and democratic rights, and bans pipelines.

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 7, 2017

Pipeline foes talk protest

Pipeline foes talk protest

More than 50 people attend the Communities Rising Tour in Medina County, OH, discussing what needs to happen to protect themselves from the proposed Nexus pipeline.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 7, 2017

Grass-roots groups prepare to dig in deeper against Nexus pipeline

Grass-roots groups prepare to dig in deeper against Nexus pipeline

The OH/PA Communities Rising Tour stops in Medina County, OH, where residents face the Nexus pipeline and are organizing using Community Rights to stop it.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 4, 2017

Communities take action when their government fails them: Community Rights in PA/OH

Communities take action when their government fails them: Community Rights in PA/OH

Environmental activists, leaders, and residents are touring Pennsylvania and Ohio, sharing what they are doing in the face of the corporate state attempting to force fossil fuel harms in their communities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 25, 2016

The Gazette: NEXUS route changes, concerns discussed

The Gazette: NEXUS route changes, concerns discussed

While the Nexus pipeline has been re-routed, it’s simply sacrificing another community in Medina County, Ohio. Residents meet to learn what’s happening and what they can do about it.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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

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 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

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 10, 2016

The Gazette: Backers of Medina County charter suing Secretary of State Husted

The Gazette: Backers of Medina County charter suing Secretary of State Husted

Medina County, OH, residents take the Ohio Secretary of State and their Board of Elections to court. Government officials are attempting to block residents from placing their qualified county charter initiative banning fracking on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 9, 2016

Press Release: Secretary of State & Medina County Block Community’s Right to Vote

Press Release: Secretary of State & Medina County Block Community’s Right to Vote

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted blocks Medina County residents from voting on their own County Charter initiative. Residents are filing with the Ohio Supreme Court to have their measure placed on the November ballot.

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 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 9, 2016

The Post: Government should protect rights, safety and happiness

The Post: Government should protect rights, safety and happiness

In Medina County, OH, residents insist on their right to alter their government when their representatives refuse to protect them from harm. Medina County residents are advancing a rights-based County Charter initiative banning fracking activities as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 30, 2016

Akron Beacon Journal: Medina County group files 6,578 signatures seeking November vote on community bill of rights

Akron Beacon Journal: Medina County group files 6,578 signatures seeking November vote on community bill of rights

In Medina County, OH, residents gather over 6,500 signatures, qualifying for the November ballot a Community Rights County Charter banning fracking activities. They join six other Ohio cities and counties advancing similar measures.

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

Apr 9, 2016

The Post: Friedrick’s recent column had some incorrect information

The Post: Friedrick’s recent column had some incorrect information

Supporters of Medina County, OH’s, Community Rights County Charter initiative call out fear tactics of anti-Community Rights government officials.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 9, 2016

The Post: Medina County: We have the right to clean air, water, soil

The Post: Medina County: We have the right to clean air, water, soil

When a county commissioner in Medina County, OH, steers residents away from protecting their community from fracking infrastructure projects through a rights-based county charter, residents call him out in this letter-to-the-editor.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 18, 2016

Akron Beacon Journal: Medina, Portage counties seek community bill of rights votes

Akron Beacon Journal: Medina, Portage counties seek community bill of rights votes

Medina and Portage Counties in Ohio begin gathering signatures to place Community Rights County Charters on the November ballot. Residents face fracking infrastructure projects, including pipelines and injection wells, and are advancing rights to protect themselves.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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

Feb 18, 2016

Ohio Street Theater Production: The People vs. the Corporate State

Ohio Street Theater Production: The People vs. the Corporate State

The Ohio Community Rights Network partners with Medina County residents to stage The People vs. the Corporate State. Check out the David vs. Goliath production.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 17, 2016

The Medina-Gazette: Public airs concerns over NEXUS station with EPA

The Medina-Gazette: Public airs concerns over NEXUS station with EPA

The Ohio Community Rights Network presented a street theater production prior to the Ohio EPA’s public meeting on the proposed compressor station, which is part of the NEXUS Gas Transmission project

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 19, 2015

The Leap: Can Local Law Enforcement Be Democratized By A People’s Movement?

The Leap: Can Local Law Enforcement Be Democratized By A People’s Movement?

As communities move beyond slowing down unwanted fossil fuel projects such as pipelines, and begin using local community self-governance to stop them, they are bumping into their own local agencies acting against them. Medina County, OH, and other communities across the country turn to Community Rights to protect themselves and create the communities they envision.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 7, 2015

The Medina-Gazette: NEXUS gas compressor sparks concerns

The Medina-Gazette: NEXUS gas compressor sparks concerns

Medina County, OH, residents attend a standing-room-only meeting about a proposed NEXUS pipeline that would cut through their communities. Residents declare they will continue to pursue a rights-based county charter that would include a ban on pipelines.

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

Sep 21, 2015

Earth Island Journal: Government and Gas Industry Team Up Against Local Fracking Ban Initiatives in Ohio

Earth Island Journal: Government and Gas Industry Team Up Against Local Fracking Ban Initiatives in Ohio

Reporter Simon Davis-Cohen reveals how Ohio state government used tax payers’ money, hiring private oil and gas industry law firms to keep the people’s community rights initiatives off the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 18, 2015

Aurora Advocate: Were Supreme Court cases victors really the victors?

Aurora Advocate: Were Supreme Court cases victors really the victors?

While the Ohio Secretary of State spins a “win” in last week’s Ohio Supreme Court decision, the Justices in fact slapped his wrist for his claim to be empowered to “prejudge the legality or constitutionality of the substance of a petition,” freeing up Ohio counties to bring their measures forward next year.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 16, 2015

Press Release: Ohio Supreme Court Rules Against Secretary of State

Press Release: Ohio Supreme Court Rules Against Secretary of State

The Ohio Supreme Court rules in favor of the democratic rights of citizens, and against the Ohio Secretary of State’s claimed “unfettered authority” to block the people’s right to initiative.

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

Sep 16, 2015

Chron: Ohio Supreme Court rejects fracking foes’ ballot protest

Chron: Ohio Supreme Court rejects fracking foes’ ballot protest

While three Ohio counties are unable to place their community rights charter amendments on the November ballot for a technicality, the Ohio Supreme Court makes clear to Secretary of State Husted that he may not rule on the legality of the proposed charters’ content.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 16, 2015

The Athens News: Bill of rights/charter won’t be on November ballot in Athens

The Athens News: Bill of rights/charter won’t be on November ballot in Athens

Ohio Supreme Court keeps Home Ruler charter initiatives off the November ballot in three Ohio counties; slaps Secretary of State’s wrist for attempting to keep the measures off the ballot for content.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 16, 2015

Government and Corporations Collude Against the People: Ohio Is a Corporate State

Government and Corporations Collude Against the People: Ohio Is a Corporate State

Ohio government officials, both locally and at the state level, use oil and gas industry law firms in an attempt to keep the people’s ballot initiatives impacting banning fracking off the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Sep 12, 2015

The Medina-Gazette: Party leaders weigh in on charter denial

The Medina-Gazette: Party leaders weigh in on charter denial

Some local party leaders make clear Ohio Secretary of State’s decision to remove county home rule initiatives that were duly qualified from the ballot is tyranny.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots