Nationwide — Former Mayor Karen Williams Weaver tuned in to hearken to United States Senator Elissa Slotkin’s speech in regards to the anniversary of the Flint water disaster on the Senate ground. Her speech befell on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, January 15, 2026.
A lot to the previous mayor’s shock, her identify, together with Councilman Eric Mays, Claire McClinton, and different outstanding water warriors, was not talked about as soon as on the congressional file. Slotkin’s remarks lined the disaster, however one omission was very noticeable: Mayor Weaver was the primary to declare an area state of emergency on December 14, of 2015, adopted by Governor Rick Snyder, who declared a state of emergency for Genesee County on January 5, 2016, and lastly on January 16, 2016, President Barack Obama declared a federal emergency. Because of this, Mayor Weaver was in a position to implement the “Quick Begin Initiative” to switch lead-tainted pipes and negotiate the town’s launch from state oversight.
Mayor Weaver had an surprising entry into politics. She served as the primary feminine mayor from 2015 to 2019. She was elected through the top of the Flint water disaster. Her major objectives had been surrounding infrastructure restore to convey clear water to the residents of Flint, and to revive House Rule. In a latest interview on “The Tonya Burns Present,” who’s the sixth Ward Councilwoman in Flint, she spoke in regards to the difficulties of taking workplace amid a state-controlled emergency administration system. She additionally mentioned that it was difficult as a result of Flint was already within the midst of a public well being catastrophe, with severe implications concerning water security, well being, and public confidence.
Upon assuming workplace, Mayor Weaver instantly took some vital steps, together with:
• Declaring a state of emergency to mobilize assets• In search of Federal Help• Starting the arduous means of forcing native, state, and federal entities to acknowledge the dimensions and severity of the disaster.• Partaking with the nationwide philanthropic companions to supply assets, funding, and long-term assist for Flint’s public well being restoration.
Mayor Weaver offers a stark view of the long-term results of the disaster on Flint residents’ well being and infrastructure. She voices robust concern over points with ongoing repairs and critiques what she believes is an inadequate state response. She believes that there’s a lack of accountability for these answerable for the catastrophe, which underscores the necessity for continued advocacy.
Throughout the podcast, in addition they focus on the media and their function in creating narratives that omit or downplay Mayor Weaver’s foundational function in addressing the disaster by attempting to exclude her. She pressured the significance of correct historic narratives to forestall erasure of key efforts.
On the finish of the dialog, there was a name to motion encouraging political engagement and supporting leaders who prioritize neighborhood welfare. She emphasised that neighborhood members want to stay vigilant and assist Flint as the town continues its restoration.
“Former Mayor Weaver’s account is crucial for understanding not simply the mechanics of the disaster however the political and systematic obstacles confronted in addressing it,” mentioned Councilperson Tonya Burns. “Her management was instrumental in shifting the narrative and mobilizing the preliminary response, and this abstract serves as an important file of that combat. We won’t permit her contributions to be erased, whether or not intentional or unintentional.”
Mayor Weaver reinforces the necessity for continued concentrate on Flint’s infrastructure, the well being of its residents, and guaranteeing that these answerable for one of many nation’s most extreme public well being crises are held totally accountable.
Watch the complete interview with Councilwoman Tonya Burns on YouTube:YouTube.com/watch?v=hYgYWjZUm14&record=PPSV&t=2s
Mayor Weaver mentioned she has reached out to Senator Slotkin’s workplace however has not obtained a response to her considerations.
For extra data concerning interviews, contact Karen Williams Weaver at 810-240-3521.
