'Michigan Matters:' Mark Hackel Ponders Legal Action Amid Water Talks

By CBS Detroit

The brouhaha over creation of the Great Lakes Waters Authority continued to simmer as Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel talked about his legal options after a judge  put a gag order on he and other regional leaders involved in those talks.

Hackel, who appeared on "Michigan Matters" with Oakland County  Executive L. Brooks Patterson, U.S. Senator Gary Peters and Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain,  bristled after about the judge's recent order.

The conversation continued after the taping as well.

U.S. District Judge Sean Cox , who is  conducting  mediation proceedings  to finalize a deal to create the Great Lakes Water Authority, told those involved  they were not to discuss details, Patterson said.

Creation of the authority was  considered a breakthrough settlement in the city's bankruptcy restructuring.

Cox's order came after last month's luncheon gathering of the "Big Four" political leaders at the Detroit Economic Club, which was broadcast as a special "Michigan Matters." In it, Patterson and others on the panel raised concerns about details of the water deal which they signed off on.

There was talk about an unexpected shortfall in revenue for the Detroit Water and Sewer Department.

City and suburban leaders are  trying to resolve their differences over the creation of the authority in mediation.

"I find the  gag order without purpose," said Hackel.  "I do not understand why there isn't open discussion and dialogue amongst all parties engaging the public. This is how we've handled every regional issue up until this point. It creates a sense of mistrust with those involved as well as the public."

"I am seriously contemplating challenging the order," said Hackel adding  he, "is working with legal counsel on this issue to see what my options on behalf of the public are."

"Not having been able to openly discuss issues with the public because of a gag order is contradictory to what my responsibility is, "Hackel said. "I have no idea why the order is in place. Once again this leads me to suspicion. What is it we are trying to hide. Either from the public or one another."

Patterson, who is also involved in the talks,  said, "gagging a politician probably violates the 8th Amendment to the Constitution which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment."

On other topics, Peters discussed he first few weeks in his new job as Michigan's junior U.S. Senator.

He discussed advice outgoing U.S. Sen. Carl Levin gave him.

And Peters talked about prospects for the new International Bridge Crossing that the Canadian and U.S. governments have been working on.

Patterson and Peters also exchanged a few words over the upcoming sales tax increase being pu forth before voters from six to seven percent, with some monies going towards fixing the state's crumbling roads.

They also talked about the two parties approach to taxing citizens and what  matters most.

Michigan Matters: U.S. Senator Gary...

Michigan Matters: U.S. Senator Gary...

Michigan Matters: U.S. Senator Gary...

Michigan Matters: U.S. Senator Gary...

Watch "Michigan Matters" at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS 62.