April 13, 2017
By Amy Biolchini
Big Rapids, MI - The Flint water crisis (click here) loomed large Wednesday night over a state public hearing where almost 500 people gathered to weigh in on whether Nestle should be able to draw more groundwater to bottle and sell.
"The injustice of this situation could not be starker," said Liz Kirkwood, executive director of For Love of Water (FLOW). "At the same time the people of Flint are forced to drink bottled water, the state is considering authorizing a water grab for a $200 fee."
Fifty-five people opposed the company's permit application during the public hearing, urging the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to protect the state's water instead of kowtowing to Nestle.
Passions were high during the three-and-a-half-hour-long event. The crowd at Ferris State's University Center in Big Rapids clapped often and several times erupted with chants...
Participants in providing water to Flint residents are referring them to the city to obtain their needs.
April 9, 2017
by Roberto Costa
Flint, MI - One water resource site (click here) will be closed to residents when the week begins in Flint.
The resource site at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 4805 N. Saginaw St., in the city's 3rd Ward, closed at 6 p.m. Friday, April 7 due to facility commitments and is set to reopen at noon Tuesday, April 11.
"The Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church continues to be an active partner during the Flint water emergency," said Capt. Chris Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. "Our water resource sites are built on a relationship with our local partners. Sometimes our partners have commitments to their property and we must honor their requests."...
It is good to know Flint residents are not standing alone in regard to Nestle. Congressman Kildee is in their corner.
April 13, 2017
By Amy Biolchini
Grand Rapids, MI -- Congressman Dan Kildee (click here) sent a strongly worded letter to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Thursday opposing Nestle Ice Mountain's request to pump more groundwater out of a well near Evart.
"I support Nestle's desire to create jobs in Michigan, but not at the cost of damaging our environment and depleting our state's water resources," Kildee wrote in the letter.
U.S. Rep. Kildee, D-Flint Twp., said his constituents have urged him to oppose the permit request. A number of Flint residents attended a DEQ public hearing Wednesday, April 12, in Big Rapids to oppose Nestle's application....
