Not Backing Off

On May 7, The Times ran a story on my efforts to curb offshore oil drilling along our coast that carried a headline and lead paragraph that were completely inaccurate (“Golding Backs Off on Push to Ban Onshore Oil Facilities Along Coast”).

I am moving forward swiftly with a proposal to ban all onshore oil support facilities within the unincorporated areas of our county. This would make offshore drilling highly unlikely. I will bring the proposal before the board as soon as the docketing can be accomplished by the county clerk.

The only question yet to be answered is whether or not we will use a charter amendment or an ordinance to accomplish the task. Because I want the strongest legal instrument available, I have proposed a charter amendment. County counsel has given me a preliminary, oral opinion that it would have to be done by ordinance, rather than by charter amendment. I do not yet know which vehicle will have to be used, but that will not delay my proposal, contrary to the headline in The Times.

I’m determined to do whatever I possibly can to keep oil rigs away from our coast. I can assure you, nothing will cause me to back off.

SUSAN GOLDING

County supervisor

Editor’s Note: The Times published a correction the day after the May 7 story appeared.