The work of fixing Flint’s broken water system goes on, but the state panel created in the wake of the water crisis met for likely the last time Friday.
The Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee (FWICC) has spent the past few years discussing ways to solve Flint’s lead tainted water and other problems.
FWICC was formed in the wake of the Flint Water Crisis. The panel served as a way for the different groups responding to the crisis could talk directly and work together.
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver says they’ve made “progress” despite some rough times.
“Through the smoothness and through the fights it was always about the people of the city of Flint,” says Weaver.
Rich Baird is an aide to Governor Rick Snyder. He acknowledges, “It has been a rocky road at times,” as the panel dealt with serious disagreements and frustrations during its deliberations.
“No one ever agrees on everything,” muses Baird, “but the one thing we always agreed on was that we were going to do our level best to try to make up for the bad things that happened here on our watch.”
Gov. Rick Snyder created the FWICC and it’s the end of his term in office that is bringing about its end as well.
Panel members hope Gov-Elect Gretchen Whitmer will create a replacement. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver says she would like to see some changes to the makeup of a new committee. Specifically, Weaver says she would like to see Flint public school officials have a seat at the table.
