Last Saturday, people gathered in Butler’s Diamond Square to raise awareness of the dangers that are encroaching on our children and residents with the infiltration of Big Gas into our neighborhoods.

To me, a healthy society is one that values life over the value of a healthy bank account. Speakers at this rally warned the protestors that our children are in harm’s way. Schools are being surrounded by more and more gas wells, while many people sit silently allowing this travesty to unfold.

Where are the elders, the wise and the young who are sitting silently, permitting our children to be exposed to toxic and carcinogenic substances on a daily basis as they walk to school, play in the playgrounds or participate in sports activities after school?

Are we so distracted by life that we forget what has true meaning?

If you have ever looked into the eyes of a child and witnessed the purity of their soul, then you have been honored with a blessed gift. As responsible adults, we need to step forward and protect this gift by saying “no more” to Big Gas. The time is now to step forward and join the growing voices who are fighting back and protecting our children, not gas.