Michigan Guv Declares State Of Emergency In Flint Over Lead In Drinking Water

Mich. Gov. Rick Snyder announces support in the city of Flint's plan to switch back to Detroit water due to high lead levels during a news conference in Flint, Mich. on Thursday Oct. 8, 2015. Flint stopped using wat... Mich. Gov. Rick Snyder announces support in the city of Flint's plan to switch back to Detroit water due to high lead levels during a news conference in Flint, Mich. on Thursday Oct. 8, 2015. Flint stopped using water from the Detroit system last year as a cost-cutting measure, opting instead for a supply direct from the Flint River. (Christian Randolph/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT MORE LESS

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has declared a state of emergency in Flint over problems with lead in the city’s drinking water as federal officials confirm they’re investigating the matter.

Snyder announced the action Tuesday. It makes available state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery operations.

Federal prosecutors also said Tuesday they’re working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on an investigation into problems with lead in Flint’s water supply.

The city temporarily switched from Detroit’s water system to Flint River water in a cost-cutting move in 2014, while under state financial management.

Residents complained about the water’s taste, smell and appearance and children were found to have elevated levels of lead.

Last week, Snyder apologized and Michigan’s top environmental regulator resigned.

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  1. Snyder must go. He allowed the mass poisoning of an entire city, no different than if it had been done by terrorists.

  2. Snyder selected the City Manager. The City Manager is only answerable to Snyder. The City Manager made the decision to switch water sources before checking the Flint River, then sold off the pipeline from Detroit. Getting rid of the State’s Environmental chief isn’t enough- Snyder should be gone. He set up a system where people are answerable only to him, and his Manager screwed the pooch on this, so Snyder should go.

  3. Who could ever have anticipated that replacing a democratic governmental system of hundreds of years standing with a pissant local dictator answerable solely to the state GOP would lead to this?

  4. Further, he is negligent and culpable in this situation, IMO.

  5. Avatar for bckrd1 bckrd1 says:

    He needs to be impeached and sued along with every politician and anyone who made that decision must go to jail. They should be charged with attempted murder and be forced to pay for all and any claims that come up. They are the ones responsible for this and they should pay for it, They should not get a pension and retire leaving this mess for everyone else while they sail off to a comfortable life. Screw them. Hang them from the highest yardarm.

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