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Flint mayor inherited water crisis and intends to keep it in spotlight until fixed Flint mayor inherited water crisis and intends to keep it in spotlight until fixed
(6 months later)
“I’m going to have this city running effectively,” Flint Mayor Karen Weaver pledged to hundreds at a crowded City Council meeting. “We need to show them that we can handle our own business.”“I’m going to have this city running effectively,” Flint Mayor Karen Weaver pledged to hundreds at a crowded City Council meeting. “We need to show them that we can handle our own business.”
“We’ve got a mayor!” chanted residents as Weaver sat down.“We’ve got a mayor!” chanted residents as Weaver sat down.
After winning the mayoral seat on a pledge to fix state contamination of the city’s water supply, Weaver inherited a national crisis once ignored by state and federal officials – and she has helped keep that crisis in the national spotlight as she leads city efforts to get lead-leaching pipes replaced.After winning the mayoral seat on a pledge to fix state contamination of the city’s water supply, Weaver inherited a national crisis once ignored by state and federal officials – and she has helped keep that crisis in the national spotlight as she leads city efforts to get lead-leaching pipes replaced.
When residents first noticed the brown color and foul smell of their water in the spring of 2014, Weaver set her career as a child psychologist aside to run for mayor. Then mayor Dayne Walling, a Democratic up-and-comer and Rhodes scholar, repeatedly vouched for Flint’s contaminated water, even claiming he, his wife and his children drank it “every day” in a tweet last spring.When residents first noticed the brown color and foul smell of their water in the spring of 2014, Weaver set her career as a child psychologist aside to run for mayor. Then mayor Dayne Walling, a Democratic up-and-comer and Rhodes scholar, repeatedly vouched for Flint’s contaminated water, even claiming he, his wife and his children drank it “every day” in a tweet last spring.
At the time, a handful of Flint’s elite thought Weaver was overplaying the water problems. “Some were saying it wasn’t as serious as she was making it out to be,” said Aonie Gilcreast, who led a group of Flint business leaders in convincing Weaver to run for mayor. “But she saw how bad that was. So she stayed right there on the main issue,” Gilcreast said.At the time, a handful of Flint’s elite thought Weaver was overplaying the water problems. “Some were saying it wasn’t as serious as she was making it out to be,” said Aonie Gilcreast, who led a group of Flint business leaders in convincing Weaver to run for mayor. “But she saw how bad that was. So she stayed right there on the main issue,” Gilcreast said.
The daughter of a pair of local civil rights icons, Weaver defeated three city council members and the incumbent Walling to become the city’s first female mayor. Soft-spoken but direct, the 56-year-old Weaver has become a local champion to residents.The daughter of a pair of local civil rights icons, Weaver defeated three city council members and the incumbent Walling to become the city’s first female mayor. Soft-spoken but direct, the 56-year-old Weaver has become a local champion to residents.
Related: 'It's all just poison now': Flint reels as families struggle through water crisis
“I’d go so far as to say she’s been 100% effective,” said L Atkins, a 56-year-old unemployed father of five and a lifelong Flint resident. “It was her really blowing the whistle loud that brought attention to the city.”“I’d go so far as to say she’s been 100% effective,” said L Atkins, a 56-year-old unemployed father of five and a lifelong Flint resident. “It was her really blowing the whistle loud that brought attention to the city.”
“She never raises her voice,” says Raynetta Speed, Weaver’s former campaign manager. “But she’s very firm. You’re going to dance to her music, and she’s going to make sure of it in a very graceful and soft-spoken manner.”“She never raises her voice,” says Raynetta Speed, Weaver’s former campaign manager. “But she’s very firm. You’re going to dance to her music, and she’s going to make sure of it in a very graceful and soft-spoken manner.”
Problems began when Flint’s water supply was switched from Lake Huron, one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world, to the local Flint River. The river water wasn’t treated properly and immediately came out of the tap the color of watery tea – and the toxins in it caused hair loss, rashes and even the deaths of some residents’ pets.Problems began when Flint’s water supply was switched from Lake Huron, one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world, to the local Flint River. The river water wasn’t treated properly and immediately came out of the tap the color of watery tea – and the toxins in it caused hair loss, rashes and even the deaths of some residents’ pets.
Weaver and her husband, a dentist, quickly stopped using the tainted water just as many other residents did.Weaver and her husband, a dentist, quickly stopped using the tainted water just as many other residents did.
“We’re under unusual circumstances, and we are all being taxed,” the mother of three told the Guardian.“We’re under unusual circumstances, and we are all being taxed,” the mother of three told the Guardian.
Flint, which Republican Governor Rick Snyder began to return to local control at the end of January, has been managed by state officials since 2011. A botched cost-cutting measure first contaminated Flint’s water in April 2014, yet state and federal officials failed to act until recent months. Today most Flint residents survive on bottled water.Flint, which Republican Governor Rick Snyder began to return to local control at the end of January, has been managed by state officials since 2011. A botched cost-cutting measure first contaminated Flint’s water in April 2014, yet state and federal officials failed to act until recent months. Today most Flint residents survive on bottled water.
An untold number of people, particularly children, may have suffered permanent side effects from lead that leached into city pipes.An untold number of people, particularly children, may have suffered permanent side effects from lead that leached into city pipes.
About 40% of Flint’s residents live below the poverty line, yet the city has some of the most expensive water in the entire country - and residents are still being charged for access to it even if they don’t use it. A handful of resignations and terminations have come at the state and federal level in recent months. Congressional hearings are ongoing and a recall vote is on the ballot to remove Snyder, who some blame for Flint’s poisoned water, from office.About 40% of Flint’s residents live below the poverty line, yet the city has some of the most expensive water in the entire country - and residents are still being charged for access to it even if they don’t use it. A handful of resignations and terminations have come at the state and federal level in recent months. Congressional hearings are ongoing and a recall vote is on the ballot to remove Snyder, who some blame for Flint’s poisoned water, from office.
Since taking office in November, Weaver has fired top city employees selected by prior state-appointed emergency financial managers under a 2009 Michigan law that removes democracy from financially distressed municipalities and school districts, and appointed some of her own picks approved by the City Council.Since taking office in November, Weaver has fired top city employees selected by prior state-appointed emergency financial managers under a 2009 Michigan law that removes democracy from financially distressed municipalities and school districts, and appointed some of her own picks approved by the City Council.
In December, just weeks after her election, she declared a state of emergency; Snyder, and President Barack Obama followed suit.In December, just weeks after her election, she declared a state of emergency; Snyder, and President Barack Obama followed suit.
Almost daily over the past few weeks, Weaver has challenged state and federal officials to do more even as she prepares the city to fix the problem on its own.Almost daily over the past few weeks, Weaver has challenged state and federal officials to do more even as she prepares the city to fix the problem on its own.
In a forceful statement issued last week she said: “We’re going to get this done - and done quickly - by any and every means necessary.”In a forceful statement issued last week she said: “We’re going to get this done - and done quickly - by any and every means necessary.”
Weaver’s “Fast Start lead pipe replacement plan” will mimic the best practices of Lansing, Michigan’s capital. Lansing has replaced underground lead pipes using a means that could cost Flint millions of dollars less than state estimates.Weaver’s “Fast Start lead pipe replacement plan” will mimic the best practices of Lansing, Michigan’s capital. Lansing has replaced underground lead pipes using a means that could cost Flint millions of dollars less than state estimates.
“I’ve talked to her at all times of the day and night,” said Lansing mayor Virgil Bernero, a former Democratic candidate for Michigan Governor who lost out to Gov. Snyder in 2010.“I’ve talked to her at all times of the day and night,” said Lansing mayor Virgil Bernero, a former Democratic candidate for Michigan Governor who lost out to Gov. Snyder in 2010.
“What she has had to face would have exhausted anyone…. And she’s still standing.”“What she has had to face would have exhausted anyone…. And she’s still standing.”
Pastor Alfred Harris, who has known Weaver since he moved to Flint 14 years ago and who presides over Saints of God Church on Flint’s north side, said numerous members of his church watched their hair fall out or their skin break out in rashes after Flint’s water became contaminated in the spring of 2014.Pastor Alfred Harris, who has known Weaver since he moved to Flint 14 years ago and who presides over Saints of God Church on Flint’s north side, said numerous members of his church watched their hair fall out or their skin break out in rashes after Flint’s water became contaminated in the spring of 2014.
When Flint’s water crisis began, Weaver set aside her career at one of the largest child welfare nonprofits in the state. She was being groomed to be CEO.When Flint’s water crisis began, Weaver set aside her career at one of the largest child welfare nonprofits in the state. She was being groomed to be CEO.
“Karen kept saying the mayor has a voice and should speak out,” said Speed, a childhood friend of Weaver’s. “She said I will not remain silent, I will let people know what’s going on. And that’s what she’s doing.”“Karen kept saying the mayor has a voice and should speak out,” said Speed, a childhood friend of Weaver’s. “She said I will not remain silent, I will let people know what’s going on. And that’s what she’s doing.”
In recent weeks Weaver has welcomed a stream of celebrities, activists and politicians to Flint, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, rap mogul Russell Simmons, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith and Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.In recent weeks Weaver has welcomed a stream of celebrities, activists and politicians to Flint, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, rap mogul Russell Simmons, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith and Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.
While her critics are few, they do exist. Some grumbled that the police chief Weaver ousted was doing an exemplary job.While her critics are few, they do exist. Some grumbled that the police chief Weaver ousted was doing an exemplary job.
“She does not consult or notify City Council about anything until after the fact,” councilwoman Kate Fields said.“She does not consult or notify City Council about anything until after the fact,” councilwoman Kate Fields said.
With a PhD from Michigan State University, Weaver has been recognized by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the local branch of the NAACP for her community work. She has served on the board of the Flint Institute of Arts and owns Shea Lavelle Boutique, which sells natural hair care and body products.With a PhD from Michigan State University, Weaver has been recognized by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the local branch of the NAACP for her community work. She has served on the board of the Flint Institute of Arts and owns Shea Lavelle Boutique, which sells natural hair care and body products.
Weaver’s parents, both now deceased, were local Civil Rights icons, part of a black elite that thrived when Flint was an automotive boomtown. Her mother, Marian Coates Williams, was the first black teacher hired to work in a classroom full-time by the Flint public school system -- at Fairview elementary, which closed years ago. Her father, T. Wendell Williams, a pediatrician, was the first black member of the city’s school board.Weaver’s parents, both now deceased, were local Civil Rights icons, part of a black elite that thrived when Flint was an automotive boomtown. Her mother, Marian Coates Williams, was the first black teacher hired to work in a classroom full-time by the Flint public school system -- at Fairview elementary, which closed years ago. Her father, T. Wendell Williams, a pediatrician, was the first black member of the city’s school board.
“They put a foundation down,” said Weaver. “But it wasn’t just for me. It was for the entire community.”“They put a foundation down,” said Weaver. “But it wasn’t just for me. It was for the entire community.”
Weaver now faces the challenge of replacing Flint’s lead-laden pipes, as congressional obstruction has blocked federal funding for the city, and to return the city to local control after it was put into state receivership. Even approvals for her police and fire chief appointments must still be okayed by the state.Weaver now faces the challenge of replacing Flint’s lead-laden pipes, as congressional obstruction has blocked federal funding for the city, and to return the city to local control after it was put into state receivership. Even approvals for her police and fire chief appointments must still be okayed by the state.
“Don’t be convinced that she has control of her city back,” warns Peter Hammer, a professor of law and director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State. Cities taken over by the state remain entangled in complex financial oversight laws even after they are returned to local control, Hammer points out.“Don’t be convinced that she has control of her city back,” warns Peter Hammer, a professor of law and director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State. Cities taken over by the state remain entangled in complex financial oversight laws even after they are returned to local control, Hammer points out.
“What’s been taken away is our voice,” said Weaver. “It’s best when we make decisions for us, by us.”“What’s been taken away is our voice,” said Weaver. “It’s best when we make decisions for us, by us.”