This weekend there is a "Touch a Truck" event for children (click here).
...Campus Department of Public Safety Director Ray Hall said trucks are exciting for children and a centerpiece of the event, but its purpose goes beyond that. It's a chance to build community and get children excited about various careers.
Admission is free. The event also includes free hot dogs, face painting, balloons, music and more.
The children should absolutely go and have fun. It would be nice if the Governor made a surprise visit, but, she is busy with state issues regarding the health of Michiganders, too.
September 18, 2019
By Ron Fonger
Flint - The state is no longer providing attorneys (click here) to employees who are questioned by Flint water prosecutors, a practice that cost taxpayers millions of dollars during the administration of former Gov. Rick Snyder.
Spokeswomen for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel confirmed the change in policy in response to questions from MLive-The Flint Journal, but the Governor’s Office said it is looking for another way to provide help to employees who could be in legal jeopardy and need an attorney’s advice....
It is about time. A few thoughts. This is a corruption of the State of Michigan's politicians that was to allow people well paid to receive WELFARE so they could keep their wealth. The employees involved in the Flint Water Crisis need to be responsible for their own neglect and willingness to cower to Governor Snyder. They should have stood up to him to make him stop the poisoning of Flint.
Employees, no different than any other person exposed to Due Process, have a right to request a state assigned attorney if they cannot afford to pay the cost themselves. In that, when people are brought before the courts again, they can place an application for such attorney assignment.
Realizing the millions of corrupt dollars taken from the State of Michigan Treasury to protect the wealth of State Employees; if they are found guilty of charges when the new investigation is complete; they should be held responsible for paying back those millions into the Michigan Treasury. If they were assigned a Public Attorney, that provision (which is a fine) can be set aside if the judge finds it appropriate.
Boil Water Advisories are still a reality in Flint. (click here)
September 20, 2019
By Zahra Ahmad
Flint - Flint’s wastewater system (click here) is receiving major, multi million-dollar upgrades.
City council approved $1.8 million in wastewater system upgrades at its Sept. 9 general meeting and is poised to approve $515,000 to replace a pump at its East Pump Station at its Monday, Sept. 23 special affairs meeting. The projects range from pump replacements and aeration redesigns to sludge dewatering improvements....
Good job. Rising waters recently brought sewage out of the plant into the streets and into the river. That is a shame. It shouldn't have happened. We live in a new era of destructive storms and torrential rainfalls. There has to be an insight to these events.
Perhaps the State of Michigan will be the first to pass state legislation that requires all cities to assess their infrastructure for climate readiness. This focus should be a country wide requirement to protect lives and the future of our children and young adults.
These contractors that used "hydrovacing" in the water pipe replacement have no standing. They were using a procedure that was known to be faulty, but, provided higher profits from their work than conducting the water pipe replacement correctly. The contractors basically blindsided the city officials to the known failures of "hydrovacing." These contractors caused more problems than they solved.
September 19, 2019
By Zahra Ahmad
...City officials required Goyette, (click here) and other contractors, to increase the size of excavations and forbid the use of hydrovacing, according to the suit. Hydrovacing is a non-intrusive method using high-pressurized water to dig soft surfaces, like grass and dirt.
Mayor Karen Weaver announced in June 2018 the city would no longer use hydrovac trucks because they weren’t identifying water service lines thoroughly....
