Stakeholder #3

1. Can you describe this stakeholder in 200-250 words? If they're an individual, vividly describe how they look, what they wear, how they move. Tell us how they sound, how they talk, what their mannerisms are. Conjure them in our mind's eye, by appealing to at least THREE of our FIVE senses. If the stakeholder is an insitution or group, then describe the institution and how it appears in the world. How do people encounter this group or institution, digitally or physically? Describe their website or headquarters or something else that physically represents the group to the world at large.

unkown "law justice" 2013 via pixabay
CC0 Public Domain

Governor Rick Snyder is a middle aged Caucasian, conservative governor of the state of Michigan. He speaks English with an American accent. He is very rosy pink in complexion like a strawberry flavored candy button and he has fluffy white hair that is combed slightly too perfect. As an elected official, he dresses very professional with a dark, black suit and collar shirt and a very, formal tie. Governor Rick Snyder has a somewhat long face and big ears. '

 His eyes appear to be slightly greenish with a hint of blue with the bags usually associated with any leader who is being put under the spotlight by the media for having some of his people in jeopardy under his watch. Yet, if you were to find him at a local Costco, you would not second guess he is the governor of anything. His voice is somewhat deep, but yet hat a hint of lightness in it. Being a politician, Rick Snyder sits up straight, makes hand gestures that are affirmative and come to light whenever he is making a point on something that he is saying. There is a sense of honesty in his voice. He looks like he would give you a firm handshake.

2. Can you identify THREE specific claims being made by this stakeholder? The claims should be public and about the specific story you're investigating. Provide direct quotes for three different claims or ideas made in public by this stakeholder. Each quote sould be clearly hyperlinked to the original source.

"Government failed you at the federal, state and local level," Snyder said. "We need to make sure this never happens again in any Michigan city."

"To begin, I'd like to address the people of Flint. Your families face a crisis, a crisis you did not create and could not have prevented," Snyder said. "I am sorry and I will fix it."

"It's not about just moving money," he says. "This is a case of a handful of government officials making extremely poor decisions that had massive consequences for people. This raises a cultural question. Most government employees are great people. They work really hard. But there are places where people were following kind of the letter of the federal lead and copper rule far too literally and not in the appropriate fashion that led to this."



3. Can you explain how valid these claims are? Objectively, how much weight do these claims carry?

How credible are they? Be specific. Think about how poorly or successfully the stakeholder cites FACTS, plays on our EMOTIONS, or presents themself as a CREDIBLE actor in the debate.
Most of these claims are spot on. He is clearly being straight forward and claiming full responsibility.

4. Can you explain how these claims are similar and/or different to the other stakeholders? Be clear and precise - does this stakeholder have anything in common with others involved in the debate?

Who do they have the least in common with? Why?
They are similar in the sense that he is admitting that something did go wrong with government on this, but at the same time, he is not addressing who actually caused this and how much he knew about the situation in Flint, even though he was the one that sent emergency managers over to Flint to inevitably cause this water crisis.