The banking tour of Mike Babcock is over. He is packing his bags and leaving town.

The job search tour for Randy Liepa is underway. First the application to the State Board of Education and now the interview to serve as Superintendent of Wayne County RESA.

How are these similar?

Simple, both worked hard and left a legacy that will be debated and in some cases appreciated for years to come.

But the issue that should be addressed now is what happens when the architect of an existing system leaves before the job is done?

The Red Wings will hire a new coach and provide all the money necessary to refill the roster. 

Livonia schools will hire a new coach only to find the money necessary to refill the image is gone. The state of Michigan in taking over the schools now realize that they have nearly $300 more in tax revenue and will use it all for roads without looking at the needs of our schools.

Short term gain with continued long term pain.

As families look to move to Livonia our education system that values the diversity of our student population with a strong program at Perrinville enhances the marketability of Livonia. 

But because of the refusal of the state to deal with the economic decline of our schools we are forced to take steps that can only decimate our hometown.

Our Board of Education should take back our school funding fight, refuse to close Perrinville, join with parents and sue the state until people wake up and demand that we want a return to local control.

Our City Council should unite with our school board and take the position that the corridor between Middlebelt and Inkster is vital to the community, that the closing of a school will distract from the revitalization of a neighborhood in which candidates talk about assisting but turn their backs after the election. 

 Let's put the real dollar savings on the table from the closing of Perrinville and sit down to create a funding mechanism right here in Livonia. Show the state that when we have a need we can respond.

But we cannot support the architect of this plan moving on and leaving us with the implementation. I wish the superintendent well but finish the job first. Help us stand up and fight for what is right. 

Keeping Perrinville open.

The typewriter talks with Livonia neighbors every day who know that we live in an amazing hometown. In part because of our commitment to the students attending Perrinville and the parents who have made it their extended family.