LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has named a group of medical and field experts to a committee that will determine long-term solutions to fix Flint's water system and help residents who have been exposed to lead.
In a news release issued Wednesday, the governor says the 17-member committee will make recommendations regarding the health of people exposed to lead, study Flint's water infrastructure and determine potential upgrades, and establish ways to improve communication between local and state government.
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The committee includes Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards, who has extensively studied the issue in Flint and elsewhere, chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners Jamie Curtis, and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who is credited with bringing the problem to the public's attention after state agencies initially dismissed her concerns.
Members will serve three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2018.
Other members:
- Natasha Henderson is the city administrator and chief administrator officer for the city of Flint.
- Jim Koski retired as the Saginaw county drain commissioner, a role in which he had served from 1977 to 1980 and again in 1996 to 2011. He is a representative of Genesee County who shall be submitted by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners.
- Lawrence Reynolds is president and CEO of the Mott Children’s Health Center.
- Laura Sullivan is a professor of mechanical engineering at Kettering University.
- Mark Valacak is the health officer of the Genesee County Health Department and an instructor at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
One additional member will be named at a later date.
The following members will also serve on the Coordinating Committee:
- Harvey Hollins, director of Office of Urban Initiatives within the Executive Office of the Governor;
- Col. Chris Kelenske , deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Michigan Department of State Police;
- Keith Creagh, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, or his or her designee;
- Nick Lyon, director of the Department of Health and Human Services, or his or her designee;
- Mike Zimmer, director of the Department or Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, or his or her designee;
- Nick Khouri, state treasurer, or his or her designee;
- Brian Whiston, superintendent of public instruction, or his or her designee;