LANSING — The Michigan House of Representatives approved State Rep. Bill Sowerby’s (D-Clinton Township) House Concurrent Resolution 1 today asking Gov. Rick Snyder to extend the state of emergency for the city of Fraser because of the ongoing threat posed by the sinkhole that opened up on Dec. 24, 2016. The current state of emergency declared by the governor is set to expire this Friday, Feb. 3. The House approved HCR 1 today by a voice vote.
“I thank my colleagues and Gov. Snyder for their support as Clinton Township, Fraser and other affected communities in Macomb County deal with this sinkhole disaster,” said state Rep. Bill Sowerby (D-Clinton Township). “Families have lost their homes, and residents and businesses throughout my district and other communities are dealing with closed streets and urgent requests to cut back their water usage. Extending this state of emergency will allow us to continue to work with our state partners to fix this infrastructure problem and help prevent further environmental and property damage.”
“I am glad that we could act quickly on this request to extend the state of emergency so that our Macomb communities can continue receiving state assistance to help with the massive repairs this sinkhole disaster requires,” said state Rep. John Chirkun (D-Roseville).
“The sinkhole does not just affect Fraser, it has a wide-reaching impact on all Macomb County communities,” said Rep. Diana Farrington (R-Utica). “I am happy the governor understands the need to continue providing assistance to the families and businesses directly and indirectly affected by the sinkhole.”
“This sinkhole in Fraser is a warning we need to pay more attention to our infrastructure, and I am glad we are working together to respond to this problem quickly and with the necessary state support to help prevent a greater environmental disaster,” said state Rep. Patrick Green (D-Warren).
“Today’s vote in support of extending the state of emergency tells homeowners in the neighborhoods surrounding the sinkhole, and residents and businesses in all the affected communities that we will do whatever is needed to help fix this problem so these communities can be made whole again,” said state Rep. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores).
“The House-resolution passed will help extensively with state resources to remedy the sinkhole in Macomb County,” said Rep. Pamela Hornberger (R-Chesterfield Township). “While the sinkhole is located in the city of Fraser, many nearby municipalities are in a state of distress as well and I’m proud to have co-sponsored a solution for the local residents that I represent during this tumultuous time.”
“Other municipalities need to listen and learn from what is going on in Macomb and how we’re working together to help resolve this problem. We’re just the first county seeing the effects of a below-ground infrastructure failure on this scale,” said Rep. Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township). “This situation needs to be resolved now for Macomb County and become a higher priority across all of Michigan.”
“This emergency affects more than 500,000 people, 11 communities and Selfridge Air National Guard Base,” said Rep. Steve Marino (R-Harrison Township). “Extending the state of emergency will help us protect people and property while we restore normalcy.”
“I am pleased that we voted quickly on HCR 1, and I hope that our action today helps prevent a larger environmental disaster by extending more state support and resources to the work now underway at the sinkhole site,” said state Rep. Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights).
“I stand with all Macomb County representatives to do what we can to come to a resolution,” said Rep. Jeff Yaroch (R- Richmond).