The goal: Assess the extent of the elevated blood lead levels — the number of those affected and the degree to
which they’ re affected
M@ Get as many people in the affected zip codes tested as possible — can the Red Cross or some other
agency with a bus or mobile unit set up for folks to give blood convert over to blood level testing and
go into neighborhoods that have low testing rates?
HA public health friend of mine said that Genesee County Health workers are stressed to the max. Can
we deploy appropriate personnel from other county health agencies to help with inspecting homes for
possible other causes? In other words, it won’t do any good to invest more in water infrastructure if
we’re finding window sills with teeth marks. | say this NOT to downplay the role that water lead levels
may have played. But can we get Habitat for Humanity, for example, to do a massive volunteer effort
to eradicate lead paint in homes ... or is that beyond their expertise?
M@ Gather experts to assess exactly how extensive the problem is and potential causes. And then convey
this ina much more accessible ways. If you want blood level data, you have to scroll down on the DHHS
web site, find the headline and then read a long press release. Maybe we’re conveying this information
better on the ground, but if not, we need to communicate conclusive findings in multiple ways—
graphics, video, informational photo galleries and maybe even a “test” that residents can take to see if
their home is at risk in other ways. | know that sounds awfully MLive-ish, but it can be effective.
Not Responsive
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they’re affected <!--[if !supportLists]-->n <!--[endif]-->Get as many people in the affected zip codes tested as possible —
can the Red Cross or some other agency with a bus or mobile unit set up for folks to give blood convert over to blood
level testing and go into neighborhoods that have low testing rates?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->n <!--[endif]-->A public health friend of mine said that Genesee County Health workers are
stressed to the max. Can we deploy appropriate personnel from other county health agencies to help with inspecting
1
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002362
homes for possible other causes? In other words, it won’t do any good to invest more in water infrastructure if we’re
finding window sills with teeth marks. | say this NOT to downplay the role that water lead levels may have played. But
can we get Habitat for Humanity, for example, to do a massive volunteer effort to eradicate lead paint in homes ... or is
that beyond their expertise?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->n <!--[endif]-->Gather experts to assess exactly how extensive the problem is and potential
causes. And then convey this in a much more accessible ways. If you want blood level data, you have to scroll down on
the DHHS web site, find the headline and then read a long press release. Maybe we’re conveying this information better
on the ground, but if not, we need to communicate conclusive findings in multiple ways— graphics, video, informational
photo galleries and maybe even a “test” that residents can take to see if their home is at risk in other ways. | know that
sounds awfully MLive-ish, but it can be effective.
The Detroit News has Brad resigning in this story, The story also quotes Edwards and Dr. Mona, saying Dan shouldn't
necessarily have been fired. (1)
Ananich criticizes the culture of the DEG, and very much echoes the task force report,
Meegan
Here is a statement from the Governor that will go out around 2-2:30 p.m. to the media. We'll also give a heads up to
executive staffers and some others. - Meegan
When | became aware that the city of Flint’s water showed elevated lead levels and that the state’s handling of the
situation was being questioned, | requested funding to switch the source back to the Great Lakes Water Authority and
appointed an independent task force to identify possible missteps and areas for improvement.
The task force has done an exceptional job, reviewing stacks of documents and interviewing scores of Flint, Genesee
County, state and federal officials.
Although the task force’s final report is not yet completed, it has made me aware of some interim findings and
corrective steps that | have decided to take immediately in order to restore trust in how the state keeps its citizens safe
and informed.
We'll continue to work with the community members to make sure we hear and respond to their concerns.
In addition, MDEQ Director Dan Wyant has offered his resignation, and I’ve determined that it’s appropriate to accept it.
I’m also making other personnel changes at MDEQ to address problems cited by the task force.
But changes in leadership and staff are not enough. | understand there can be disagreements within the scientific
community. That is why | have directed both the departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services
to invite every external scientist who has worked on this issue to be our partners in helping us improve Flint water. Let’s
share research on water and blood lead level testing so we can arrive at accurate and mutually supported
conclusions. Together, we should work to affirm that we’re using the very best testing protocols to ensure Flint
residents have safe drinking water and that we’re taking steps to protect their health over the short and long term.
| want the Flint community to know how very sorry | am that this has happened. And | want all Michigan citizens to know
that we will learn from this experience, because Flint is not the only city that has an aging infrastructure.
| know many Flint citizens are angry and want more than an apology. That’s why I’m taking the actions today to ensure a
culture of openness and trust. We’ve already allocated $10 million to test the water, distribute water filters, and help in
other ways. Last week, | called Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, and we’re going to meet soon to discuss other ways the state
can offer assistance.
These are only initial steps - we fully expect to take more actions following the recommendations of our task force.
When it comes to matters of health and quality of life, we’re committed to doing everything we can to protect the well-
being of our citizens.
Meegan Holland
Director of Communications for Gov. Rick Snyder
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Office: 517-335-6397
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Jim said he’s going to review the statement over the holiday, but immediately he asked that | make the following change
(in bold) below. I’ve also cut the line about “the safest drinking water in the nation.” I’ll keep tweaking so it’s ready for
Tuesday. | just want to make sure the Governor gets the correct statement and not an old iteration. - Meegan
“’ve been briefed on the recent meeting of the task force studying the Flint water situation and I’ve read the report from
the Office of the Auditor General on the processes used by DEQ to monitor Flint water.
“The bi-partisan task force has worked tirelessly to interview Flint, Genesee County, state and federal officials to
complete its independent analysis. They are reviewing hundreds of documents at all levels of government and from the
public health science community.
“I'd like to thank the task force for keeping me apprised of their continuing investigation. As they uncover more facts, it’s
clear to me we can do better. Their report may take another month or so, but if we need to make changes more swiftly, |
plan to take immediate action.
“No matter what the testing requirements were, they were not enough to prevent this crisis.
“When it comes to matters of health and quality of life, we’re committed to doing everything we can to protect the
well-being of our citizens. | understand there can be disagreements within the scientific community. That is why | have
told my directors at MDEQ and DHHS to invite every external scientist who has worked on the Flint water issue to the
state laboratory facilities to work as partners with us. Together, we should be able to affirm that we’re using the very
best testing protocols to ensure Flint residents have safe drinking water and that we’re doing proper monitoring and
remediation of blood levels and other health impacts over the long term.
“| want the Flint community and all citizens of Michigan to know how very sorry | am that this has happened.
“But | know an apology isn’t enough. We’ve already allocated $10 million to test the water, distribute water filters, and
help in other ways. On Thursday, | called Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, and we’re going to sit down in the next week to
discuss other ways the state can offer assistance.
“What happened in Flint is inexcusable. | want to assure residents there that we will work hard to make things right.”
Meegan Holland
Director of Communications for Gov. Rick Snyder
Office: 517-335-6397
Mobile j
Twitter: @meholland
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Sorry for the late submission. Been trying to work this issue across various stakeholder groups and balance holiday
commitments. Our Agenda (with Harvey adding under "Other":
1. Review HH Role and Responsibility as confirmed with FAATF (attachment (with some revision since meeting)
2. Other AATF Issues
a) schedule a conference call with Governor outlining current status
b) follow up with a letter discussing DEQ and leadership culture findings
c) Imminent Danger Declaration request
d) Concerns with Leadership appointments about to be made and DHHS recent responses/findings
e) Shared confidential plan relative to January 4 personnel actions
3. Discuss communications strategy as envisioned by MH, JA and RB last night (Meegan will be on call--Maybe Jarrod
too busy not sure about yet)
4. Other (Harvey Hollins will deal with anything | missed)
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| just sent a briefing on the Auditor General letter (it wasn’t an audit, which | may have inadvertently called it).
| will be on the 11 a.m. call. Can one of you share with me the number and access code?
As for “ideas on how to get more resources,” can you help me out with this Rich? These resources would be:
- Atleast $5 million more contributed by the state for blood lead level testing, remediation and follow-
up
- Efforts to get accurate information on the breadth of the issue by bringing together state and
independent researchers and making DEQ and DHHS records available to researchers
- Exploration of more resources, including possibility of an imminent danger declaration
- Acommunications team dedicated to the water crisis
- What am | missing?
| will send that Dec. 29 statement to the appropriate parties.
- Meegan
Meegan Holland
Director of Communications for Gov. Rick Snyder
Office: 517-335-6397
Twitter: @meholland
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Good evening team,
Here is a draft response to the task force letter that | think covers the needed ground and designates Harvey for the role
suggested by the task force members. Please let me know if we are missing anything, or if there are points you want me
to make, realizing that this letter will be distributed to the public.
Thank you for your assistance.
Dave
Flint Water Advisory Task Force Members,
Thank you for your correspondence on Dec. 7, and, most importantly, for your hard work to promote public health and
protect our residents as we move forward. Your efforts are both respected and appreciated.
As acknowledged in your letter, we have taken many steps to address the challenges in Flint as they relate to reducing
lead exposure. | am pleased to see the progress since October, and recognize there is more work that must be done to
ensure that this progress continues.
At the state level, there has been a confluence of efforts between Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality and
Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Genesee County Health Department, local schools, and our partners
in the non-profit community.
These partners are making progress, and we know we can always strive to improve practices and communication for
continual improvement.
You make a solid suggestion about establishing a person who is independent of any one of the involved state agencies or
organizations to serve as the point person to coordinate the ongoing work. | am recommending that Harvey Hollins,
director of the Office of Urban Initiatives, carry out this effort. Harvey is well-versed in the issue and the challenges
faced by our cities and will be effective in this role.
| also support your suggestion of a dashboard to make information about our work and progress more accessible to the
Flint community. It’s important that people have confidence that we are working to address any problems and will take
the necessary actions to improve interaction among city, state and federal agencies.
People in Flint and across our state deserve safe, clean water. | want them to be confident that the water coming out of
their tap is safe for their families. And | want them to trust that their government — at all levels — is working effectively to
protect them.
I thank you again for lending your time and expertise to this vitally important effort.
Regards,
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