Legal bills are adding up for the state prosecuting and defending public officials related to the Flint water crisis. The state's largest teachers union endorses former state lawmaker Gretchen Whitmer for governor. A WMU defenseman picks up a weekly honor from the NCHC.
The state of Michigan’s legal bills connected to the Flint water crisis have now surpassed $20-million. MLive says records obtained from the state show that’s the amount paid to attorneys prosecuting and defending public officials accused of wrong doing related to contamination of Flint’s water. Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office has spent $6.2-million dollars on prosecuting 15 current and former state and city employees. Governor Rick Snyder’s office has spent $5.2-million on defense attorneys. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has spent $5.5-million and the Department of Health and Human Services $3.3-million on criminal and civil attorneys related to Flint.
The Michigan Education Association has endorsed former state lawmaker Gretchen Whitmer for Michigan governor. The Detroit News says with the backing of the state’s largest teachers union, Whitmer now has the support of unions including 325,000 workers in Michigan in her quest for the Democratic nomination for governor. The Michigan Nurses Association, which has 13.000 members has endorsed former Detroit Health Director Abdul El-Sayed. Businessman Shri Thanedar is also running for the Democratic nomination for governor.
The city of Holland’s Deputy Clerk resigned after city officials accused her of lying about an encounter with the mayor’s husband. Anna Perales claimed that Jim DeBoer grabbed her arm in November shortly his wife Nancy was sworn in as Holland’s mayor. But Mlive saysthe city’s internal investigation, including the review of surveillance video footage did not support the allegation. Holland’s Human Resources Director said Perales betrayed the city’s trust. The city was considering disciplinary action against Perales. She resigned in December.
The city of Portage says work is beginning Wednesday at the Celery Flats Historical Area. The city is redeveloping the building formerly known as the Celery Flats Interpretive Center. Plans call for expanding the parking area, demolition of the existing building and a new covered outdoor pavilion. Portage says the project should be completed in June. (Kalamazoo Gazette)
Western Michigan junior Corey Schueneman has been named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Defenseman of the week. Schueneman scored two goals and assisted on two others as the Broncos split a series with second ranked St. Cloud State over the weekend. Western will host Colorado College Friday night at 6-30 and Saturday night at 7 at Lawson Ice Arena.