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Plainfield/Algoma Township feel 'betrayed' by Wolverine Worldwide after shoemaker backs out of deal

In what Plainfield and Algoma Township officials are calling a “stunning about-face,” local shoemaker Wolverine Worldwide says it no longer will voluntarily pay for municipal water lines to be installed in homes that have been affected by the PFAS crisis.

Wolverine Worldwide admits it dumped waste containing toxic PFAS chemicals back in the 1960’s, and admits that waste contaminated the private drinking water wells of dozens of homes in the Rockford and Belmont area. Wolverine officials even supported a lawsuit filed by Plainfield and Algoma townships that says the shoemaker should pay for municipal water lines to be installed at those homes.

On Wednesday however, township officials said they were stunned after learning that Wolverine had asked the U.S. District Court to dismiss the lawsuit on the premise that municipal water is no longer necessary.

Township attorney Doug Van Essen says, it’s a shocking stab in the back, especially after thousands of dollars have already been spent designing the municipal lines under the good faith that Wolverine would foot the bill.

“It feels very much feel like a betrayal, I don’t know how you cannot view it that way, because we have spent $500,000 designing with their input the municipal water extension,” Van Essen said. “Now they don’t want to pay the $500,000, much less the millions of dollars that we are looking forward to expending in order to extend municipal water and end the crisis.”

Van Essan says, while the total cost will be around $50 million, it’s a bill Wolverine can easily afford, making the betrayal feel even more personal.

“I am particularly disappointed in Wolverine because it is a West Michigan company,” said Van Essen. “Their managers live here. They reflect West Michigan values. And now we have lost good faith.”

I reached out to Wolverine Worldwide for comment. They issued this statement:

“Wolverine asked the Court to dismiss the new claims filed by Plainfield and Algoma Townships because they are the same as claims that have already been brought against Wolverine by the State of Michigan.”

Township officials say however, that Wolverine was working in partnership with them specifically to avoid litigation, which now seems, inevitable.