FLINT, MI — A committee appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to work on Flint water crisis issues has canceled its fourth meeting in a row.
Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee appointee Dr. Lawrence Reynolds said there are a number of issues that could have been discussed in the meeting originally scheduled for Nov. 16.
“Dear FWICC members, in the past, the city and state agencies presented the FWICC agenda, including updates of work started or completed, with input from the subcommittee chairs or government officials,” wrote Reynolds. “If I have misinterpreted the charge and the purpose of FWICC, I would respectfully request clarification.”
Reynolds identified 12 issues that he felt could have been discussed at the Nov. 16 meeting including the lack of a long-term water source for Flint, the closing of water distribution centers, a potential Legionella study and no reports of lead levels at public, charter and parochial schools in Flint.
“In spite of the absence of the activities listed above, the intention to cut off bottled water in schools has been communicated repeatedly.”
In October and September state officials said Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee meetings were canceled because of scheduling conflicts and the city’s delay in choosing a water source for Flint.
This time spokeswoman Anna Heaton said the Nov. 16 meeting was canceled due to lack of agenda items.
“There were no agenda items for discussion provided by any member of the committee, which led to the cancellation of today’s meeting,” said Heaton in an email to Flint Beat. “Also, we are waiting for the new city council members to be seated as they will now be part of the FWICC.”
FWICC is a comprised of a number of community members and experts appointed by Snyder including Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Genesee County Commissioner Bryant Nolden, Dr. Laura Sullivan and Reynolds.
Sullivan also says canceling the meeting was unjustified.
“FWICC has unfinished business and lots of it,” said Sullivan. “It is crazy that in spite of this, a fourth consecutive meeting has been canceled by the committee chair because there are no agenda items.”
The committee was developed to “analyze any long-term effects of high lead levels in Flint residents and recommend action,” according to Snyder’s webpage overview of the committee.
Since the last meeting, water distribution sites have been closed and some charter and parochial schools have gone without bottled water.
Members will serve three-year terms with terms ending December 2018.
Meetings are typically held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and are closed to the public with a live stream provided by WNEM and on YouTube after the original meeting date.
The next time any committee is made for the water crisis, there need to be consequences for such behavior outlined in its charter. The largest problem with so many of its proceedings seems to be the lack of accountability. If no one will take responsibility, I think we should give them a greater reason to.