April, 2014, an Flint’s water supply was poisoned, but did you know before this month? The water is filled with dangerously high levels of lead, which has declared the city into a state of emergency. Multiple organizations have been collecting money and water bottles to give to the residents of Flint. The question everyone has been asking is, who caused the Flint water crisis?
Many have been saying that it’s the governor, Rick Snyder, who caused the crisis. Rick Snyder switched Flint’s water source from the Detroit River, which has been providing Flint it’s water since 1964, to the Flint River, which has been contaminated with lead, to save $100,000. “I believe it was Rick Snyder who caused this crisis.” says Sara Adams, who works with Catholic Charities for Hope.
After many have been saying that Rick Snyder caused the water crisis, there has been a debate on what should happen to Snyder. “I personally think that he should be taken out of office or at least be put in jail.” says Mark Johnson, who works with the City of Flint. Many have been starting petitions to have something done about Snyder. So far, there have been two petition to resign Snyder that have been approved, says the Detroit Free Press.
The water contamination crisis has severely changed the city. putting Flint in a state of emergency, but could have it been stopped earlier? Reports from the Detroit Free Press say that Rick Snyder could have declared a state of emergency before the crisis happened. Snyder was contacted in October about the lead contamination, but didn’t set the state of emergency until January, almost four months after. David McCartney, who works with The City of Flint Water Plant, says,”It worries me what else could be happening in Michigan that Rick Snyder hasn’t warned us about.”
Rick Snyder has caused a huge problem, leaving an entire city without water to cook, clean, or bathe in. When a city’s population is 41.6% poverty, they can’t afford something like this to happen. People from all over the world have been donating water and money, some even donating thousands of dollars to help solve the crisis.
Ayat Alsabkha
Unis Middle School Journalist
Love the way you wrote it! I also like how the picture shows that we can drink water perfectly with no problem, and Flint was left with contaminated water, and is forced to drink only bottled water. Overall this is a great story and topic to write on.
I also really liked this story, it was very well written. Flint was left in a tough position especially parents with kids. They only had bottled water to drink from. Many believe that Rick Snyder put then in this crisis because they say he knew about the contaminated water before it became really bad.
Overall, I believe this is a great story. It kind of shows me that I should be grateful for the things I have, such as clean water because not everyone has the privileges I have like having clean water. I found it kind of surprising that Rick Snyder is still the governor of Michigan after replacing Flint’s source of water to a river contaminated with lead to save some money. I believe that not only should he be taken out of office, but he should also be in jail for this horrible act that he has committed. In conclusion, this is a great story that shows what is going on with Flint’s water.
Very nice story I like how you explained the difference between us and flint and how they can only drink from the water bottles. Nasser Ahmed