Meanwhile, Mayor Weaver negotiated a deal to return Flint to the Detroit water
system (GLWA) long term. Under this deal, the city would receive a discounted
rate - one lower than the rate Flint was paying before, including discounts for
low income residents. Flint City Council had until October 1, 2017 to agree to
the deal but did not, causing U.S. Federal Judge David Lawson to strongly
criticize the body for “sitting on its hands”. He ordered them to make a decision
by October 23, 2017.
"The sole solutions offered by the City Council’s attorneys are based on the
kindness of strangers – who may or may not blink in a game of financial
chicken,” wrote Lawson in his 29 page opinion, “and continuing to take water it
cannot pay for, which amounts to conversion, a species of theft. The failure of
leadership, in light of the past crises and manifold warnings related to the Flint
water system, is breathtaking.”
Flint’s City Council has filed a motion asking Judge Lawson for another 75 days.
Political observers suggest that the motion is intended to forestall council
accountability until after elections take place in November.
CONT’D