Many people are now campaigning for mayor of Anniston, Jacksonville, Oxford, etc. All have good points. None have addressed a crucial point of our future: hydraulic fracturing in the Talladega National Forest.

I have asked several candidates to stand up for or against this issue. All have copped out. Some say it’s not a local issue. Others say they have to get elected first and then they’ll take a stand. Such cowardly wiggling out of taking a stand is an insult to democracy and to the citizens of this community. These people are running for positions of leadership. When the “fracking” issue comes up, our leaders should speak for us. The tyrannical federal government that is owned by Big Business and Big Oil will not listen to us individual citizens.

It is also fraudulent to pretend that our goal is to keep America independent from foreign oil. Fracking will only benefit oil companies. Consumers still pay the world price.

Please refuse to vote for any candidate who refuses to address this issue with strength and leadership.

Glenn Andrews
Anniston