Rex Energy is in the process of acquiring a permit to drill a gas well in Connoquenessing Borough. The proposed site is very near the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Route 68, 950 feet from Connoquenessing Park and 1,900 feet from Connoquenessing Elementary School.

I realize this is a hot-button issue — many people are in favor of this type of drilling and many people are against it. However, many people, even those in favor of drilling, believe that it, like any other highly industrialized process, does not belong close to schools and parks. We do know that children are at greater risk with respect to all air pollutants because they are still developing.

Until more is known, I think we owe it to our children to err on the side of caution. If your child goes to Connoquenessing Elementary School or uses the park or you are a borough resident, please join us for a meeting at the Connoquenessing Firehall at 7 p.m. Dec. 27 to share your concerns and receive more information.