'Michigan Matters' Focus: Water Deal Done -- What's Next?

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, the lone opponent among the region's Big Four political leaders of the Great Lakes Water Authority board, talked about what comes next during a discussion on "Michigan Matters."

Hackel told Carol Cain, senior producer and host, he feared prices citizens could pay for water going forward would rise and go beyond the percent increase they had agreed to.

Approval of the 40-year lease now gives the authority control over a system that has been city-run for 180 years. The authority was created last year as part of Detroit's bankruptcy restructuring

Hackel appeared on the roundtable with Cain, Denise Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Enterprises, and Joyce Jenereaux, president and publisher of Detroit Free Press.

Jenereaux and Hackel also exchanged words about the legality of closed-door meetings revolving around the GLWA talks with the Big Four and U.S. District Judge Sean Cox.

Beth Chappell, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Club, appeared on the show to discuss their upcoming Young Leaders Conference being held Tuesday. The event quickly sold out.

Chappell was on a second panel with Anne Phillips, tour and travel manager at MotorCity Casino and Hotel, and Robert Brewer, senior buyer, Detroit Manufacturing Systems.

Phillips and Brewer were on the team of young people that worked with the DEC to plan Tuesday's event.
Phillips, who hails from Detroit, discussed her optimism about things in the Motor City.

Brewer, who recently moved to Detroit from Chicago, said it was the best decision he's made in his career.

You can hear the conversation by watching "Michigan Matters" 11:30 am Sunday on CBS 62.