Opinions differ on Steubenville Council's decision to lease city parcels for fracking
STEUBENVILLE — It wasn’t that he was thrilled at the prospect of letting Ascent Resources drill under 19 city-owned parcels, including historic Beatty Park and the old city landfill. And he didn’t vote for it just because there’d be a $1 million-plus signing allowance. Councilman at large Joel Walker said he was one of six city council members to vote “yes” because under Ohio’s forced pooling law, Ascent could and likely was going to do it anyway — and at least by accepting their bid, the city will get a hefty signing bonus plus royalties.…
