YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A leading Northeastern Ohio mineral rights lawyer today released a document detailing the drawbacks of a proposed charter amendment going before Youngstown voters in the May 7 election.

Alan D. Wenger, chair of the oil and gas law practice group at Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, Ltd., a Youngstown-based law firm, said the proposed charter amendment would negatively affect landowners and offer no protection to the environment. It would outlaw many activities that support oil and gas exploration, including the operation of the approximately 100 wells already generating royalties for city landowners.

“While we strongly support landowner protection, and protection of our environment, this law would work against landowners,” Wenger said. “It would spoil a golden economic opportunity for our community and offer nothing in the way of environmental protection because it could not be enforced.”

A copy of the 7-page Question & Answer document can be downloaded here from the HHM website.

Wenger developed the document in support of the Mahoning Valley Coalition for Job Growth and Investment, of which he is a member. The coalition is working to oppose the charter amendment on the May 7 ballot.

Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell Ltd. is the area’s largest law firm, with offices in Youngstown, Warren and Salem. The firm provides legal solutions to corporations, other businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies and individuals.

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