Gov. Snyder Says He's Been Heckled And Worse Over Flint Water Crisis
LANSING (WWJ) - Gov. Rick Snyder says he has been heckled and threatened over the Flint water crisis.
The governor told WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton he was confronted by hecklers on more than one occasion — once, while dining in a restaurant in Ann Arbor. People are blaming him for what happened in Flint.
"I mean, I did have my meal, I didn't just leave," Synder said. "But, yeah, I was heckled and other things like that have been going on for some time now....And from a personal perspective, I've had things aimed even at my family."
Ann Arbor resident Laura Tanner told The Ann Arbor News that she and a friend gave Snyder an earful at the Old Town Tavern. She said she yelled "How was your water? Was it clean?"
"That's really unfortunate," Snyder said, "and that's where I wish all this energy would be going into helping solve the problem and help the people of Flint."
Snyder said when those like filmmaker Michael Moore say they want to see him resign, prosecuted or worse, it's hard on him.
"It makes you feel terrible, Charlie; it doesn't help. But I am going to stay focused on the problem," Snyder said.
"If you look at it, it's not only people wanting to do that, I've had people wanting to do worse to me," the governor added. "I mean, I'm not sure how they get to that conclusion, I don't agree with it, but I'm just going to stay focused on helping the people of Flint."
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The comments Snyder come as he is about to sign legislation that will provide $28 million in emergency funding to address Flint's lead-contaminated water. It's the second round of state aid for the city since the crisis was confirmed in the fall.
The city's water is currently undrinkable after it became contaminated when Flint switched from the Detroit water system to the Flint River as a cost-cutting move. The corrosive water lacked adequate treatment and caused lead to leach from old pipes — and there has since been much discussion about who should be held accountable.
