An anti-fracking sign hung 70-80 feet above the Village of Sharon Springs is finally getting some attention.
The sign, "Protect Our Health, Ban Hydrofracking," appeared on the village's water tower, along Sawmill Road and visible from Route 20, 2 1/2 weeks ago.
It appears to be a banner, not a message painted on the tower itself. wrapped around the tower and tied with wire--though from the ground, it's hard to tell.
Trustee Joan Jozifek brought up the sign at Thursday's village meeting, asking what the village was going to do about it.
Not all of the trustees had seen the sign.
"You can't miss it. It's pretty big," Ms. Jozifek said. "It's on village property. It's trespassing. It's got to come down."
No one disagreed.
But they also made light of the sign-challenging each other to climb the estimated 70-80-foot ladder to remove it and offering to pay $100 for the job.
Trustee Claude Jackson suggested calling the village's insurance company, but that's likely a $1,000 deductible.
"It's a statement," said Trustee Doug Plummer, who'd yet to see it, laughing.
Mr. Jackson said he'd look into finding someone willing to take the sign down.
Lisa Zaccaglini of the grassroots Sharon Springs Against Hydrofracking said the village's water tower is the perfect place for the message "since it's all about the safety of our water.
"And when we posted the picture of the tower on [our] Facebook page, it was by far the most popular post to date. We're so lucky to have someone brave enough to climb to such heights to protect our county against fracking."
Sharon Springs Against Hydrofracking is not claiming responsibility for hanging the banner, however.