SMYRNA – Smyrna is Chenango County’s epicenter for natural gas drilling so it’s no surprise that the three candidates running for two open seats on the town council have opinions about it.
Natural gas reserves have been targeted in sandstone, and not employed the controversial hydraulic fracturing technology needed to reach gas in shale formations. Nonetheless, the government that represents the town’s 1,280 population has been immersed in discussions about seismic testing permits, road use agreements, taxation, spacing units and compulsory integration.
Overseeing it all has been Town of Smyrna Supervisor James B. Bays, who is running again for a sixth term in office. Bays was supervisor from 1988-1991 and again from 2006 to present. He is being challenged for office by Republican and independent “Square Deal” candidate John Grosso.
For council, incumbent Wayne C. Simmons will appear on the ballot under both the Democratic and Republican party lines; former town highway superintendent Gary R. Graham is running as a Republican; and newcomer Ernest F. Schraft Jr. is also running as a Democrat.
Simmons, 54, has served 12 years on the town board. He is a tire changer for Morris Tire Sales, a job he’s had since 1982. He said the board is “always watching” natural gas issues and the next couple of years will be a “very important” topic.
Simmons is known for spearheading such projects in the town as lighting the monument and flag pole in the village and erecting new welcome signs that greet visitors to the village.
“I like to grab hold of projects and look for private donations instead of tax dollars to pay for them,” the candidate said, adding that the town is considering a village and town combined clean-up where people could bring in and dispose of their rubbish for free.
Simmons said he tries to hold the line on spending and makes decisions that help keep taxes low for the people.
Schraft, 50, ran for council and was elected eight years ago to fill a vacancy for two years. He owns and operates a feed mill in Smyrna, so he is heavily involved with agribusinesses in the area. He said he is in favor of responsible drilling and looks forward to working more with gas companies.
“We need to keep the people in mind and the economic state around here. It isn’t too good; business is difficult,” he said.
Schraft has been appointed deputy supervisor for the past five years, even though he is not on the council. If elected, his main objective would be to keep a rein on taxes and support the town’s highway department.
This is the first time Graham, 63, has run for town council. Previously, he was highway superintendent from 1978 to 2010. While in that role, the former construction worker worked closely with the town’s only natural gas company, Norse Energy. He attests that Norse “always took care of the highways.”
But safety is foremost important in Graham’s mind when it comes to future drilling for shale gas. “I’d hate to see our water messed up,” he said.
He’s running for council to give back to the community, but said all is running smoothly, including the roads. Gary’s son, Smyrna Councilman Eric Graham, has decided not to run again. Eric served for one, four-year term.
Voters may cast their vote from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Town Hall, 3 Academy St. in the village.