Too many apathetic Americans are convinced that the deck is stacked against them, that they can't take on a company, business, giant corporation, that they can't fight city hall.

Well, I am here to tell you that this defeatist attitude needs to be shown the door. And may I present the effective ushers who are up to the task: The persistent people of Eldred Township, who took on the Nestle Waters, North America corporation and won their fight to prevent the company from extracting water from Chestnut Springs, a pristine body of water in western Monroe County.A Nestle official cited several reasons for the company's change of heart but said that one of the primary motivators was the dogged opposition and determination that residents showed when they mobilized against the project.The plan called for Nestle to take 200,000 gallons of water a day from the spring near Kunkletown, then truck it to its plant in Breinigsville in Lehigh County, to sell under its Deer Park name.This did not sit well with residents who envisioned possible environmental harm to their bucolic corner of the world, to say nothing of the noise, dirt and inconvenience from the distribution tanker trucks rumbling through their tiny community.They were further put off by an ordinance enacted and modified by the township supervisors, which was needed to allow the project to go forward.Through social media, posters and other outlets, organizers spread the alarm indicating what this project might mean - a potential change of lifestyle for residents.More and more residents started coming to supervisors' and public meetings to oppose the project. Although time-consuming and costly, the more than two-year battle culminated in the announcement on June 8 at the supervisors' meeting that Nestle was abandoning the project. Cheers of relief echoed throughout the meeting room.Nestle spokesman Eric Andreus said the company faced logistical and design issues but acknowledged that local opposition was a main force in the decision."It is clear to us that Eldred Township does not believe the process around this project worked the way it was intended and that many of you have concerns about this project," Andreus said. "We have not been successful in gaining the same acceptance here in Eldred Township as we have in other communities."Less than two months ago, voters in Cascade Locks, Orefon, voted to prevent Nestle from extracting water there. For seven years, residents had been facing the possibility that a massive water bottling plant would be built in their community. With the support of governing bodies, Nestle Water, Pacific Northwest had planned to withdraw 100 million gallons of water a year from Oxbow Spring, a $50 million project that would have created 50 new jobs and "considerable" tax revenue for the community, the company said.Nestle also is seeking to take water in a drought-designated area of California. Opponents are lining up there, too, to stop the project. "Why should Nestle - the largest food and beverage company in the U.S. - get to operate a huge bottled water operation on a permit that's been expired for 30 years during a historic drought when it's causing what was to be a perennial stream that wildlife use to go dry?" said Ileene Anderson, senior scientist and public lands/deserts director at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups behind the legal challenge.Nestle operates 29 bottled water facilities in the U.S., with 7,500 employees and annual revenues of more than $4 billion. Its website promotes programs it undertakes with host communities and explains that it has a transparent policy when seeking to enter a community. This was true in Eldred Township, where the company was accessible to residents and even set up a satellite office to answer their questions. Regardless, the community did not want this project, and the community prevailed. After weighing the pros and cons, residents decided there were more downside issues than positives, despite the company's assurances of good stewardship. We applaud the residents of Eldred Township who led this successful fight to stop the Nestle project.There are lessons to be learned any time residents want to take on corporations, big business or government:• Persistence is the main ingredient to success.• Public support through networking is mandatory.• Every skirmish is a battle for public opinion. Often, because they have most of the cards, the "Goliaths" will try to wear down the "Davids."• The spokesperson for the opposing group should be highly skilled when speaking on behalf of the objectors.• Attack the issue, not the person.• Take the high road no matter how the powers that be attack, threaten or attempt to be dismissive.• Rally people around the things that they care about. What could be more important than a safe water supply?• Those committed to the cause need to be involved, informed and interested.• Meet personally with those whose proposal is being opposed. Petitions mean almost nothing to corporations and politicians.• Above all, don't give up, don't give in and don't compromise.By Bruce Frassinelli |

tneditor@tnonline.com