FLINT, MI - Mayor Karen Weaver is taking to Flint's AM radio waves to host several health-focused "town halls" throughout the month of May.
Partnering with Chief Public Health Advisor Dr. Pamela Pugh, the mayor will host a series of radio "town hall" segments on gospel radio station WFLT 1420 AM to "answer questions on health-related topics of interest and importance to Flint residents," according to a release.
The call-in series will begin at noon Tuesday, May 2. The city announced the events roughly 90 minutes before they were set to begin.
Residents are encouraged to listen in to the weekly segments featuring various government and health professionals, and may call into 810-239-5733 to ask questions regarding the week's topic, the release said.
Tuesday, May 2, 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Efforts underway to advise and provide recommendations to city officials on ways to better protect public health.
Expert guests: Peter Levine, Dr. Laura Carravallah and Dr. Lawrence Reynolds of the Genesee County Medical Society (GCMS) and the City of Flint Technical Advisory Board
Tuesday, May 9, 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Topic: A legionella study by the Flint Area Community Health and Environment Partnership (FACHEP)
Expert guests: Members of FACHEP, which is led by Wayne State University in collaboration with the University of Michigan, Michigan State University (MSU), Kettering University
Tuesday, May 16, 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Topic: The Flint registry for the long-term tracking of residents exposed to Flint water during the height of the water crisis, and other community and clinical programs, policies, and evaluations underway
Expert guests: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, MSU-Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative (PPHI) and partners
The announcement of the radio "town halls" comes on the heels of an April 20 contentious town hall meeting -- where six were arrested -- held at a Flint church to discuss Weaver's recommendation to stay on the Detroit water system.
Initially, the city planned for only two weeks of public input on Flint's water future. However, they agreed to extend the comment period to 30 days on the urging of the Environmental Protection Agency.