Apparently Rick Snyder is upset that people dare to heckle him in public places about the state’s negligence in and disastrous response (or lack thereof) to Flint’s lead crisis, which may have exposed thousands to a lifetime’s worth of lead problems. CBS Detroit reports:
The governor told WWJ Newsradio 950’s Charlie Langton he was confronted by hecklers on more than one occasion — once, while dining in a restaurant in Ann Arbor. People are blaming him for what happened in Flint.
“I mean, I did have my meal, I didn’t just leave,” Synder said. “But, yeah, I was heckled and other things like that have been going on for some time now….And from a personal perspective, I’ve had things aimed even at my family.”
Ann Arbor resident Laura Tanner told The Ann Arbor News that she and a friend gave Snyder an earful at the Old Town Tavern. She said she yelled “How was your water? Was it clean?”
“That’s really unfortunate,” Snyder said, “and that’s where I wish all this energy would be going into helping solve the problem and help the people of Flint.”
Snyder said when those like filmmaker Michael Moore say they want to see him resign, prosecuted or worse, it’s hard on him.
“It makes you feel terrible, Charlie; it doesn’t help. But I am going to stay focused on the problem,” Snyder said.
What does the governor expect? Roses to be thrown at his feet for trying all he can? There is ample evidence from emails and other sources that his administration contributed to the decisions that led to Flint switching to the Flint River source, and then in downplaying or even actively mocking citizen fears about the polluted water they were drinking. It is ironic that Snyder now wishes that all of the energy from angry citizens would go into helping Flint when it was foot-dragging and an active campaign by his employees to minimize evidence of lead. The political will has only seemingly caught up with the will of citizens once national coverage led to calls for Snyder to resign.
Laura Tanner and her friend made the most salient point of all. Ann Arbor—where the Governor resides—doesn’t have to worry about clean water. Not only is it lead-free, it comes from a pristine water source and doesn’t have the kinds of odors, colors, or general nastiness involved with what state officials kept pressing Flint residents to shut up and drink. For better or for worse, Snyder represents the state government, especially the actions by executive branch agencies. Maybe he should try eating to-go next time if he doesn’t want to be criticized in public?