Michigan has just endured its worst ice storm in memory, maybe the worst ever. Tens of thousands of people freezing in the dark for days. Should Governor Rick Snyder have activated the Michigan National Guard?
Among the things the Guard could have done:
- Clear trees.
- Help restore power.
- Direct traffic (light is still out at the corner of Saginaw and Waverly).
- Provide transportation to trapped families (many people found their cars crushed or trapped, and no public transportation).
- Set up feeding stations. (A church in Okemos could not use its kitchen to feed people because it was not a licensed commercial kitchen.)
- Help families with small children, elderly folks or people with special needs.
- Use the Guard’s generators to set up power where needed most.
Why wasn’t the Guard activated? It’s Christmas Eve so there’s no way to ask the governor’s office directly (and I am not at the top of their list for callbacks). But I can remember a time when state officials were quick to offer help.
The governor is expected to announce his run for re-election. Does he risk being the next Michael Bilandic? As this article from the Trib reminds us, he was the mayor of Chicago who famously lost her job for failing to dig Chicago out of a series of snowstorms quickly enough, allowing Jane Byrne to beat him. (Thanks to Graham Welling for the correction.)
Do we now think of the Guard as folks who are more likely to be offering help in Afghanistan than here? Is one of the downsides of having an affluent CEO as governor that he lives in a bubble of privilege that makes it hard to connect with the plight of a family with small kids and few resources huddled in the dark? Just sayin’.
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Loading ...UPDATE - 3:20 p.m.
Are the crews working to restore power trying hard? Of course. But where is the leadership? It isn’t whining or rude to ask questions. Why does BWL have so few people on the job (two 15-person teams on rotating 12-hour shifts)? Why isn’t Governor Snyder working to declare this a federal disaster area and bring in the National Guard? (They have huge generator trucks and are skilled at setting up power in places like Afghanistan. Why not here?)
I understand the argument to put politics aside because it’s Christmas - but it is precisely because it is Christmas and many citizens of the area without power and without enough money for a generator or a hotel room are at risk. Mayor Bernero not only needs to warn folks to go to warming shelters tonight, he needs the National Guard going door to door to help the elderly, infirm and the young get there. If Boston could mobilize in a day to get the bombers, we should be doing better on Day Three.
I agree 100%. The response by the state and Nerd has been shameful. Disasters do not take a holiday! At the very least he could express some compassion for those who are suffering, but not being businesses, they don’t show up on his radar until he needs their vote.
Does Snyder even know what is going on here? You’d think he’d be all over this.
Any line restoration or tree clearing near lines needs to be done my qualified linemen. The National Guard would not be able to help with this.
I’ve been pretty patient, but here we are on Christmas morning still without power. BWL needs to draft some help, 30 people cannot handle this.
Gov. Snyder has little interest in things like this. I am sure he has turned this over to one of his minions while he cozies up with his family in his ann arbor mansion. Emergencies arethings like last minute right to work legislation and rape insurance. The city of lansing
Michigan National Guard should be called out to clear trees and limbs as directed by the power companies.
Very frustrating to be without power during such frigid temps.
It was actually Michael Bilandic who lost to Byrne because of his mishandling of Chicago storms…
I am surprised that people believe one has to be an electrician to clear the trees. Yes, the National Guard could do all the things mentioned in this article. Well done! Let me add this all those that do not understand PA’s of Michigan or what exactly our Michigan branch of National Guards can do I suggest you either take some classes through your local community or work for the government and learn. As far as paying for this service we already have its called TAXES!! Now I expect someone to make a comment that individuals will be billed for this lol. If you believe that please get in your car with several hundred dollar bills and drive down the highway throwing them out because the animals need paper to burn to keep warm!!
This pathetic POS sitting in his State tax payer paid Mansion with a roaring fireplace, and 3 turkeys lined up for Dinner or is it Hams? Snyder!!! Vote this Jack A** out
Just FYI - Governor Snyder has never moved into the governor’s mansion in Lansing. Though we have no precise knowledge of where he spent Christmas, we assume it was at his home in a private subdivision outside of Ann Arbor.
[…] As it became clear that our community was becoming two societies - one with power, one without - I saw that LON needed to raise questions about whether enough was being done to deal with the crisis. On Tuesday, Christmas Eve, I asked “Should Governor Snyder activate the National Guard?” […]