Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, who took office after the crisis was exposed, said that Obama’s visit would give “residents of the city of Flint some hope and lift up our spirits and lift us emotionally and spiritually”. Listen, it’s not government overreach to say our government’s responsible for making sure that you can wash your hands in your own sink, or shower in your own home, or cook for your family.
Advertisement
Flint isn’t just a water crisis.
Obama declared a state of emergency in mid-January and ordered federal aid to supplement the state and local response.
(CNN) – Michael Glasgow, a former Flint city employee charged in connection with the city’s water crisis, has reached a deal with prosecutors.
Obama cautioned it would take a while, two years or more, for the city’s lead pipes to be replaced.
“To drink from a glass of”.
The river water was more corrosive than the Detroit system and caused more lead to leach from its aging pipes.
“I came here to tell you directly that I see you, I hear you, and I want to hear directly from you about how this public health crisis has affected your lives”.
He said there is a mindset among many that cutting government is the highest goal.
When Snyder appeared on stage before Obama’s remarks began, he was loudly jeered by the 1,000-person crowd.
But some were less obliging when it came to the future safety of the city’s water.
“Flint was making significant efforts to redevelop – new restaurants, commercial activity in its downtown area – though there was still very high unemployment, and still a long way to go”, said Uhlmann.
He called providing safe drinking water a basic responsibility of government.
The president urged parents to ensure their children were tested for lead in their blood and said residents should run their taps frequently to flush out any remaining pollutants.
But Obama stressed that with the right support and health care, Flint’s kids “will be fine”. He said that he didn’t believe anyone intentionally harmed them, but still took an opportunity to address what he described as the “corrosive attitude” that less government is always better.
Obama’s first stop was the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint, where a briefing was expected to last close to one hour with federal officials.
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images’Little Miss Flint’ Mari Copeny, 8, hugs US President Barack Obama during an event at Northwestern High School in Flint, Michigan, May 4, 2016. He oversaw day-to-day operations of the water plant when the city changed its water source from Detroit, which draws from Lake Huron, to the Flint River in April 2014.
The state Senate also approved a spending bill that includes about $39 million for the Flint emergency in the budget year that begins in October.
The president was briefed by federal officials on the response to the lead poisoning crisis.
“It’s a mindset that says environmental rules created to keep your water clean or your air clean are options, or not that important, or will unnecessarily burden businesses or taxpayers”, Obama said. The uproar intensified when it was learned that Flint residents were not informed about the tainted water supply for 18 months.
Advertisement
Gov. Rick Snyder and legislators previously authorized $67 million for the emergency – mostly state money but also federal funds.
