President Obama is expected to visit Flint, MI, next month to see firsthand the effects of the on-going water crisis the city has been facing. The decision to visit stems from a letter 8-year-old Flint resident Mari Copeny sent the President, asking if she could meet him.
Copeny wrote her concerns about the effects of the water contamination on not just herself but others in her community. In her letter, she requested to meet with both President Obama and the First Lady.
“I am one of the children that is effected by this water, and I’ve been doing my best to march in protest and to speak out for all the kids that live here in Flint,” Copeny wrote. “I know this is probably an odd request but I would love for a chance to meet you or your wife. My mom said chances are you will be too busy with more important things, but there is a lot of people coming on these buses and even just a meeting from you or your wife would really lift people’s spirits.”
While Copeny did not expect a reply, she received exactly that and more with the President personally responding and agreeing to visit the city on Wednesday, May 4. He plans on not only speaking with Mari, but to the citizens of Flint as a whole.
With many of the homes in Flint being older in age, many are made of materials no longer or in little use today. Galvanized steel is seen commonly in older homes. While it is strong, it only lasts about 50 years.
In an attempt to save money, Michigan decided to change Flint’s water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River two years ago. Due to the water not being properly treated, lead began to contaminate the water supply.