Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick weighs in on Flint water crisis

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2012 file photo, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick makes his way to U.S. Federal Court in Detroit. Businessman Karl Kado, who held contracts at Detroit's convention center, said Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 that he was a hostage who felt compelled to pay thousands of dollars to then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his father or lose work. Kado told jurors that he personally delivered $5,000 to $10,000 to Kilpatrick three or four times. He said he also delivered money through a top mayoral aide and separately paid $200,000 to $300,000 to Kilpatrick's father, Bernard. Kado is a crucial witness at the corruption trial, which began in September. (AP Photo/The Detroit News, David Coates) — FILE – In this Sept. 27, 2012 file photo, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick makes his way to U.S. Federal Court in Detroit. Businessman Karl Kado, who held contracts at Detroit’s convention center, said Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 that he was a hostage who felt compelled to pay thousands of dollars to then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his father or lose work. Kado told jurors that he personally delivered $5,000 to $10,000 to Kilpatrick three or four times. He said he also delivered money through a top mayoral aide and separately paid $200,000 to $300,000 to Kilpatrick’s father, Bernard. Kado is a crucial witness at the corruption trial, which began in September. (AP Photo/The Detroit News, David Coates)

FYI Just so you all know. We (The Detroit Water and Sewage Department) were talking about the problems of the Flint Water Department (financial management, ability to perform, cleanliness of water, elimination of contaminants, mercury levels, lead levels) back in 2004. We knew (our folks in Detroit, SEMCOG, Genesee County Officials, some members of the State Legislature, and the Governor at that time) new that there were significant issues with all of those items.

In 2006 we attempted to craft a deal to put them on our water system. We were in negotiations, led by Victor Mercado, for months, and I wanted to make it work. I attended one meeting, and was on a conference call for another, expressing my willingness to make this work. SEMCOG and Judge Fiekens was also aware of this. SEMCOG was against the Agreement!

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