FLAT ROCK, Mich. – After the flammable and cancer-causing chemical benzene was found in the in the sewer system, many Flat Rock residents are voicing their opinions about now having to be displaced because of the recommended evacuation.
“I love Downriver, and I’m sick of it being polluted by major corporations and our lives,” said one resident during Tuesday’s city council meeting’s public comment portion.
Read: Residents demand more answers on impact of chemical leak in Flat Rock
Ford Motor Company took blame for the issue, saying it was caused by a large fuel leak at their Flat Rock Assembly Plant, and that they would be accommodating.
However, residents feel as if it’s a promise that has already been broken.
“When I went to ask for the gift card, I was told there aren’t any,” another resident during the meeting.
At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, residents were looking for answers from Ford and other agencies. However, that didn’t happen.
“It was disappointing to be honest, and I feel like we’re just really leaving more confused,” one resident said.
One Flat Rock city councilman insists that Ford should be doing more financially to find a solution to the problem that they created.
“They threw pennies at us,” the councilman said.
Local 4 has been told that Flat Rock is going to have another meeting Wednesday night where panelists are expected to attend from Ford, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and other agencies.