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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN April 30, 2020

INKSTER
Wells hard for months to ensure the INKSTER
“My team has been working
people of Romulus have the
FROM PAGE 1 opportunity to participate in a
public meeting on the deep
and cited the longevity and safety injection well and we are Governor names ‘race force’ members
record of a hazardous disposal pleased Republic is accommo-
well serving Louisiana for more dating this request. The racial disparity of the ” nity action stakeholders. Given
than three decades. “Though current circum- coronavirus will now be the sub- The pandemic the complexities of developing
Operations at the plant are stances have caused this change ject of a state task force created and implementing actions to
expected to begin, the managers in meeting format, we think it is by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last has disproportionately address racial disparities, a diver-
said, in about 15 to 30 days. still vitally important to give the week. impacted communities sity of stakeholders will provide
Romulus Mayor LeRoy public the opportunity to be The pandemic has dispropor- valuable insights about how best
Burcroff and the city executive engaged with this process. tionately impacted communities of color. to engage with the community,
team met with the Michigan Republic has made significant of color, according to state statis- local government, and health sys-
Department of Environment, safety improvements to the facili- tics. While African Americans unique perspective and play a tems, officials said.
Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) ty and we look forward to hear- represent 13.6 percent of the vital part in identifying these bar- The task force will also identi-
last September ing more about Michigan population, 40 percent riers and ensuring all fy avenues of funding for combat-
to voice con- ” their opera- of deaths from COVID-19 are of Michiganders have equal access ing racial disparities in the
cerns about the Operations at the plant tions during the African American race. The task to critical resource when they impact of COVID-19 and recom-
transfer of the meeting,” force will act in an advisory need them most.” mend changes in Michigan law
license for the are expected Burcroff added capacity to the governor and “We know that generations of relevant to combating racial dis-
deep injection to begin, the managers in a prepared study the causes of racial dispari- racial disparities and inequality parities in the impact of and
well to statement. ties in the impact of COVID-19 has a detrimental impact on the response to pandemics. The
R epublic said, in about According to and recommend actions to imme- lives of people across the state,” group will be chaired by Gilchrist
Services, and to 15 to 30 days. the Republic diately address such disparities Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said. and include Department of
request a pub- Waste website, and the historical and systemic “The coronavirus pandemic has Health and Human Services
lic hearing the hazardous inequities that underlie them, shown this inequity to be particu- Director Robert Gordon or his
prior to any such transfer. The injection well pumps dangerous according to state officials. larly damaging, especially in the designee, Chief Medical
request for transfer was manufacturing waste 4,500 feet “COVID-19 has taken a dispro- Black community, where the Executive Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun,
approved by EGLE before a below ground into a defined portionate toll on Michigan's com- health of our friends and family and a long list of health and edu-
hearing could take place, leaving sandstone rock area. The compa- munities of color and I am confi- has been disproportionately cational leaders throughout the
residents’ comments and ques- ny can accept 26 truckloads of dent this task force will help us impacted. That's why we are tak- state appointed by the governor.
tions unaddressed. toxic waste per day and has identify the factors driving this ing immediate action to assemble The Task Force will continue
City officials continued to about 200 customers. disparity and to identify actions some of the greatest minds to to work for 90 days after the ter-
urge EGLE, the governor's office The Detroit Industrial Well we can take to create a more tackle this racial injustice now mination of the declared states of
and Republic management to facility is located in a heavy equitable Michigan for everyone,” and in the future.” emergency and disaster, or such
host a public hearing prior to the industrial zone and is permitted Whitmer said. “Each of the task The task force will also work other time as the governor identi-
onset of operations of the facility. to handle approximately 87 mil- force members will provide a with different groups of commu- fies.
The virtual meeting last week lion gallons of liquid waste annu-
was a result of the efforts of ally. Legislator praises promised insurance refunds
Romulus officials to ensure accu- The company, headquartered
rate information was provided to in Houston, TX, has owned or State Rep. Jewell Jones, D- have resulted in fewer cars on
residents and establish a chan- operated more than 15 deep Inkster, offered some special the road, fewer vehicle colli-
nel for public input on the issue. injection wells in the country, recognition to the help offered sions and lower costs for auto
“Our primary responsibility is according to the website. to area residents by some state insurance providers. My com-
to protect the health, safety and “The Detroit Industrial Well auto insurance companies dur- munity not only pays some of
welfare of the citizens of facility is committed to operating ing the current coronavirus the highest rates in the state but
Romulus. While the City of with environmental practices pandemic. is also one of the hardest hit by
Romulus has always voiced its and policies that are good for our “I would like to recognize the COVID-19. Reducing premiums
strong objections to the opera- customers, local businesses and leadership recently demon- during this crisis is a show of
tion of any hazardous waste residents. Our local team strated by some of Michigan's good faith that will go a long
injection well in the city, the state ensures that the long-term man- auto insurance companies, way toward providing economic
several years ago, over those agement of the facility is safe and many of which have pledged to relief to Michiganders strug-
objections, granted a permit to responsible,” the website states. refund a portion of premiums gling to pay their bills after los- Jewell Jones
operate the well on Citrin Drive, To contact RIES with ques- during this pandemic,” Jones ing their livelihood through no
and in September, approved the tions or concerns, call (734) 946- said. fault of their own,” he added. beyond this crisis and make
transfer of the license,” com- 1000 or visit DetroitIndustrial “Socially responsible citizens “I am hopeful that this spirit rates more equitable in the
mented Burcroff. Well.co obeying 'stay at home' orders of cooperation can continue future,” Jones concluded.

Morgue

FROM PAGE 1
tal would remain as a COVID-19
only facility or reopen as an
acute care hospital remained
unclear.
Last week, Beaumont also
announced the lay off of 2,375
employees across the entire
service area and the permanent
elimination of 450 jobs.
The heath system claimed
the action was necessary due to
the dire financial effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic. In addi-
tion, CEO John Fox will report-
edly take a temporary 70-per-
cent pay cut in his base salary
and other members of the health
system executive leadership
team will also take temporary
pay reductions of up to 45 per-
cent.
“Temporarily laid-off employ-
ees can apply for enhanced
unemployment benefits avail-
able through state and federal
programs. As additional medical
services are brought back online
at all our campuses, including
Wayne, employees could be
asked to return to their roles.
These individuals can also con-
tinue to participate in their
Beaumont health insurance and
other benefits at their current
employee rates during the layoff
period,” Fox said in a prepared
statement.
“Those whose jobs are elimi-
nated will receive a lump-sum
severance package and will like-
ly be able to take advantage of
enhanced state and federal
unemployment benefits. These
employees will have the option
to continue their benefits at cur-
rent employee rates through
their severance period,” he
added.
Impacted employees will be
eligible to apply for other open
positions at Beaumont and given
priority, he stated.
“We will do everything we
can to assist our employees
affected by these changes. We
never want to have to make deci-
sions like this, but no one could
have predicted the extraordi-
nary impact this virus would
have on health care and society
overall,” Fox said.