LANSING, MI-- State Representative John Kivela and other Northern Michigan lawmakers are asking Governor Rick Snyder to declare a state of emergency for frozen water lines in their joint districts.
A letter from Kivela and Representatives Scott Dianda, Ed McBroom, Peter Pettalia, Frank Foster and Wayne Schmidt and Senator Tom Casperson was presented to the governor Thursday. It says during historic cold temperatures many communities are struggling to maintain services despite “let water run” orders, private contracts to help thaw water mains and reallocation of public works staffing.
Marquette County recently requested a local State of Emergency declaration from the Emergency Response System, but was denied.
Kivela says weeks of cold weather are still on the way, and the state needs to step in and provide some relief.
