Death by Democracy- Episode 1- w/ Bill Lyons and Susie Beiersdorfer

Carolyn Harding with Bill Lyons and Susie Beiersdorfer, Ohio community rights activists and co-writers of the new book, “Death by Democracy”. Bill Lyons is a co-organizer of Columbus Community Bill of Rights, a group that is working to protect the water of the Columbus metro area from toxic and radioactive fracking waste. Bill is also the president of the Ohio Community Rights Network (OHCRN) whose mission is to establish a network of just communities in Ohio working to advance community rights and rights of nature. Bill also teaches mathematics at Columbus State Community College and has taught mathematics and science on 4 different continents. Susie Beiersdorfer is a teacher, geologist, community activist and tree planter who has lived in Youngstown, Ohio for 28 years. Growing up in Bakersfield, California, her family owned an oil tool service company. After getting a BS in Geology from University of California at Davis, Susie worked as a mudlogger in the oil and gas fields of California. Susie taught elementary school in California, homeschooled her twin daughters, and taught Geology and Environmental Sciences at Youngstown State University. She co-founded Frackfree Mahoning Valley and the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Committee, qualifying 10 citizen initiatives for the ballot between 2013-2018. She is secretary for the Ohio Community Rights Network and president of the National Community Rights Network. Death by Democracy - pretty dramatic title! Let’s talk about your work and why you each have a chapter in this book. Susie, I’ve known you for nearly 12 years. I first met you in Youngstown at a fracking workshop held in the Unitarian Church, and the time we delivered petitions to Governor John Kasich’s office to end toxic oil & gas fracking. Bill, we’ve worked together almost that long. We first met at the radioactive waste alert presentation of Mark Jacobson from Stanford University, and his comprehensive plan for global renewable energy. Susie, tell us about your work in Youngstown. Bi