SO, I’ve been watching this story closely as I live 50 miles from Flint. And I found this interesting bit on MCMuckraker’s twitter feed. This is a copy of a memo sent in 2013 from the DWDS (Detroit Water and Sewage) offering Flint water at about HALF of the going rate that the suburbs pay.
From what I can tell, Jim Fausone is an Attorney in Northville. That is to whom the memo is addressed. We all know, Flint wasn’t allowed to ‘accept’ this deal as the Emergency Manager who is an unelected, undemocratic, hand-picked minion of the Snyder Administration wouldn’t allow. The EM holds power OVER the Flint City Council AND the Mayor.
Next is an ALEC proposed “Model for legislation” memo
I’m hoping some of the news organizations will pick this up and further investigate.
It seems the whole reason the Snyder Administration switched the water, wasn’t about ‘saving money’ it’s about privatizing water resources in the SoM.
Also, I would like to add, that as part of the Detroit Bankruptcy deal the minion EM appointed by the Snyder Administration that negotiated this deal, privatized part of the Detroit Water facility and is now run by a private company called the Detroit Water Authority. This company has recently fired 1000 employees which MANY people say will make services to people suffer along with no pollution controls. www.freep.com/… michiganradio.org/…
That’s prompted some workers to sound the alarm. They warn that DWSD is already understaffed, and say laying off more workers could compromise water safety.
“We’ve lost chemists, engineers, instrument technicians … a whole range of people,” says Michael Mulholland, President of AFSCME Local 207, which represents some workers at the wastewater plant. “We’re concerned that what they’re doing is running it on a business model that is inappropriate and irresponsible.”
AND...
“...The loss of so many experienced, skilled workers should raise serious concerns about water quality going forward, Mulholland added. “They’re not laying people off in order of seniority,” he said. “They’re laying off, in many cases, the people who have been there the longest and know the most.”
As of July, DWSD staff ranks stood at 1,358, down from 2,102 in 2011. Further job cuts are expected as the department officially transitions to the control of the new, regional Great Lakes Water Authority next year.”
Also, in further developments a letter from Councilman Sheldon Neely who was BARRED from suing the Snyder Administration by the Flint Emergency Manager wrote a letter to the MI AG Bill Schuette in regard to the Flint water emergency AND the Snyder Administration as early as January 2015. Which TOTALLY throws Snyder’s timeline off as to WHEN he supposedly ‘knew’ or ‘found out’ about the crisis. This also implicates AG Schuette. According to the Detroit Free Press, Snyder’s spokesman LAUGHED when asked about the letter by the councilman.
“….On the telephone Thursday, the governor's spokesman, David Murray, chuckled about the letter.
"Oh, I remember seeing that," he said. He said he didn't want to embarrass Neeley by pointing out that the letter -- which was titled "Letter of Appeal for Flint" and was cc'ed to then Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, chief of staff Dennis Muchmore, Clyde Edwards and Kiersha Speech -- went to the wrong address.”
Councilman Neely replied, “How could anyone associated with the Snyder administration read that -- and ignore it, or worse have a laugh?”
Here is a copy of the article in which the letter from Councilman Neely first appeared: www.freep.com/...
Lastly, It is apparent that all emails supposedly released by the Snyder Administration have been ‘scrubbed’ and/or have NOT actually been released -OR- maybe the MI AG Schuette needs to release all his emails immediately, too?
In any case, Michigan ranks DEAD LAST in State Government transparency, and the Governor is protected by tea publican legislation making him immune from any FOIA requests. Where are the Democrats on this? <crickets>
Also, the Michigan Militia is getting involved in the Flint Water Crisis and are calling for possibly ‘taking up arms’ if necessary.
“This is not a racial issue, unlike some people last week tried to say. It’s a human issue.” www.freep.com/…