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Hundreds pack oil drilling meeting in Southfield

Posted at 10:30 PM, Jan 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-27 22:30:30-05

Don't drill in Southfield, that’s what many people who live in the city are asking a local church.

Hundreds turned out for a town hall meeting on the proposal. There were so many, lots of them were turned away because there wasn't enough space.

Many of them say they are against it.

Marcena Chapman is one of over 200 people who packed a room inside Southfield Public Library.
She lives less than a mile from Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield - where church leaders want to drill for oil and gas.

She's not the only one doubtful about the drilling.

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, Jim Nash, gave a presentation on why drilling in a very populated area, like Southfield, could be bad.

The city says there could be spills and accidents, and it could also have a harmful affect on air-quality and water supply. That's why they will do what it takes to make sure it doesn't happen, even if the state grants the church the permit.

But church members say it is far from fracking and they want it done.

We are waiting to hear more about this project from church leaders.

In the meantime, another town hall meeting is scheduled for six Monday evening at Southfield Public Library.