YOUNGSTOWN - "SOBE, no way! SOBE, no way!" chanted a dozen or so protesters in downtown Youngstown. Their refrain is now familiar. Outside the Mahoning County Courthouse Wednesday, the group SOBE Concerned Citizens repeated it yet again.

Inside the courthouse - their intended audience - Youngstown city council.
After they met, they assured the protesters that their familiar refrain isn't falling on deaf ears.

"The protest is all well and good but we've been in discussion long before that and we've done our own homework," said Sixth Ward Councilwoman Anita Davis. "We already know that it's bad for Youngstown."

Which is why the recently formed Environment, Climate and Sustainability Committee will put its own pressure on city council as a body when it meets Thursday.

"We want to take some type of formality to make our stance be known that the administration knows we're against it, we don't want any type of variance, the EPAand the state are aware, and the residents know they have our full support," said Seventh Ward Councilwoman Basia Adamczak.

She and Davis, along with the other committee member, Julious Oliver, tell 21 News they expect the full council to support the resolution.

"Not only do we have our own concerns for our friends and family, we share their concerns as constituents and residents of this city," Oliver said.

We won't know for at least another month whether the Ohio EPA will grant SOBE the final permits to get up and running.
Time that city leaders say they'll spend echoing the protesters' refrain.