January 7, 2022 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia
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The Mystery behind the Sherman Tank
in Whitman Park
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FridayMusings received this article passed along by Ted Davis, Livonia Parks and Recreation. As one who grew up with this tank in what was then Whitman Park and now Mies Park, I was intrigued with the history and many readers over the year will ask whatever happened to the Tank at Whitman Park or how did we ever wind up with the tank. Here is the answer:
(Editor's note: The following article is part of a series of stories from U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command newsletters in 1968. The acronyms "ATAC" and "TACOM" are interchangeable throughout this series. This story ran in the May 1968 issue of "The Detroit Arsenal News.")
One of the lengthier tank retrieval operations in TACOM history was concluded successfully on Friday, May 3, when a heavy equipment transporter hauling a World War II M4A4 Sherman tank from a park site in the City of Livonia finally rolled on to the Arsenal grounds some 4 months after the project was first attempted.
It all began last November when TACOM received a letter from Livonia's Superintendent of the Department of Parks and Recreation. It seems that seven years ago the City of Livonia acquired the M4A4 tank of World War II vintage from the City of Dearborn where the vehicle had been on display in front of the Dearborn Historical Museum. It had been a familiar landmark since the end of the war.
When Dearborn officials decided it was time for the tank to move on, the predecessor to the man who currently heads Livonia's Department of Parks and Recreation enthusiastically asked for and received the tank. It was thought that the tank would make an ideal "showpiece" for the use of young children and with that idea in mind was installed at a Livonia Park site.
Apparently, it was another example of the best-laid plans going awry. In his letter to TACOM, the present head of Livonia's Parks and Recreation Department indicated it just wasn't working out. He said, "It is not being used by the children. It is a gathering spot for teenagers who constantly disfigure it with obscene language and use it as a target for bottles."
The Detroit suburb asked for help in removing the tank. TACOM agreed to do the job and the planning began. The problem involved checking out with highway people for permission to move the overweight load. The Experimental Fabrication Division had to make arrangements to get the 50-ton Heavy Equipment Transporter back from the contractor where the vehicle was being studied and tested. Plans were finalized and January 5 was designated as the big day.
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The abundance of spectators usually found at projects of this type never materialized. The three-degree-below-zero temperature and brisk winds, in all likelihood, were responsible for the absence of advice-offering onlookers. It was just as well because a detailed survey of the area and several vigorous attempts to shake the tank loose revealed that tank and ground were fused together by an accumulation of ice and snow. There was further evidence that the condition would exist until the Spring thaw. The operation was abandoned with the greatest of reluctance and the TACOM crew returned wearily to the Arsenal.
The second try involved the same preparation, problems, and planning as the original effort. In addition TACOM personnel made a trip to the site for a better look at the situation. May 2 was finally agreed upon as the date for another confrontation.
Supremely confident, the TACOM crew arrived at the scene at mid-morning. With the temperature fast approaching the 72-degree mark the size of the crowd quickly grew. The interested of all ages, held back at a safe distance by Livonia police, settled down for the struggle of the immovable object challenged by the irresistible force.
It was a formidable struggle and the issue was in doubt for several hours. The winch from the tractor of the 50-ton transporter was secured to the tank which over the years had sunk into the ground to a depth of about a foot. For every fraction of an inch of forward movement of the tank, the tractor was dragged back several inches.
After in indecisive tugging contest that lasted several hours, the issue was resolved when a nearby tree was used to anchor the tractor. This was the turning point. Secured by the tree the tractor stood its ground while its winch steadily dragged the armored World War II veteran from its resting place of seven years.
The hour was late when the job of loading the tank aboard the trailer was finally completed. Because of highway restrictions prohibiting the movement of overweight loads after a certain hour it was necessary for the transporter and its burden to spend the night in the fenced-in yard of Livonia's DPW.
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Gary Selesko holds winning LSO Guitar Raffle Ticket |
Congratulations Livonia Symphony Orchestra on a successful guitar raffle. And congratulations to Livonia's Gary Selesko for purchasing the winning ticket.
Last Friday Board members Emily Bauman and Charlie Mahoney presented Gary with the beautiful guitar. Today we thank Gary for his support of the LSO and thank Emily and Charlie for their leadership in auctioning off the guitar.
Charlie Mahoney offered he congratulations to "Gary and thank you for supporting the LSO -- and thank you to the many others who supported the LSO by purchasing a ticket or tickets for this beautiful instrument - we appreciate your support and look forward to our 2022 spring concert and events."
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Livonia Symphony Orchestra Concerts and events
2021-2022 Season
Saturday, May 14, Concert
“Spring in your Heart” @ 4:00 pm
at Clarenceville Schmidt Auditorium Featuring a Beethoven Piano Concerto
Sunday, May 15, Spring Garden Party Luncheon
@ Laurel Manor 11:30 – 2:00
Friday, June 10
Bob Bennett Memorial
Chip in for the Arts Golf Outing
at Whispering Willows Golf Course noon shotgun.
Thursday June 16,
Ice Cream Social and
Patriotic and Pops Concert
at Kirksey Recreation Center
Ice Cream Social at 5:30
Concert at 7:00
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The typewriter has raffle tickets for this Golf Cart Raffle benefiting our hometown Livonia First Responder Foundation, sponsored by our Livonia Kids & Families. Drop a dime to rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com
and let me know if you want tickets--only $20.
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Postal Address
19514 Bainbridge 48152
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E-mail
rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com
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Thanks to Vote. Run. Serve for providing a synopsis of the January 6th Study Meeting: |
Transparency, accountability and community engagement are essential in a democracy. Local government is important and City Council meetings provide insight into what's happening in your community. Here is a summary of the January 6th Study Meetings.
The Study Meeting session previews what you can expect to hear more about in future Regular Meeting.
Laura Toy was not in attendance. There was no audience communication during this meeting. Welcome to new Council member Scott Morgan.
Mayor Brosnan provided a COVID-19 update.
• “Safe Start 2022” is the city’s temporary plan for responding to the surge in COVID-19 cases. The City is now requiring masks in all public buildings/city-owned facilities, regardless of vaccination status. The plan is in effect January 3rd-22nd.
• The intention is to protect city staff from exposure so they can continue providing the same level of city services they have been. In addition to the mask mandate, Mayor Brosnan said they are also implementing social distancing protocols for meetings, events and/or social gatherings.
Approved for regular agenda at next regular meeting (1/19):
• Request to approve salary and fringe benefits adjustment of fire chief and deputy fire chief.
Item was placed to regular agenda due to questions on parity between fire and police leadership.
• Request to approve salary increase for director of housing. Item was placed to regular due to questions regarding deviation from salaries included in November’s approved city budget.
• Request to rename Livonia dog park to “Super’s Dog Park” in honor of Tom Celani. Item was placed on regular due to requested clarification related to Mr. Celani’s marijuana business.
Approved for consent agenda:
• Waver petition requesting to construct and operate a vehicle tow yard at 34437 Rosati Avenue.
• Month-to-month contract extension with Livonia Towing as Livonia Police completes the competitive bid process for a new towing contract.
• Approve location and schedule of dates and times for the 2022 Board of Review meetings, as well as compensation rates for members.
• Request for authorization to waive the sealed bid process and purchase Rainbird variable speed pump station from sole authorized dealer.
• Award of contract to Fitness Passport, a low-cost senior Livonia Rec Center membership option offered through Optum health. This is similar to the Peer-Fit and Silver Sneakers program.
• Request to waive the formal bidding process and approve contract with Allied, inc., to perform the replacement of the hydraulic power unit for hoists #1 and #2 in the fleet maintenance garage. Department of Public Works
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I don't get it.The districts have just been set out and already the thought threads are permeating social media. One city councilman suggested "not going to happen" when it comes to the election of Rashida Tlaib as Livonia's Congresswoman.
Understood considering this person will be working hard for a Republican candidate for Congress. But the fact remains, this is solidly Democratic with 2/3 of the district being Tlaib's old district, add Dearborn to mix along with Westland and Southfield and it will be hard to defeat Tlaib.
As expected that one statement by the Councilman was followed by several comments questioning Tlaib's mental acuity, "She’s an undiagnosed mental." Another said "This type of politician does no good for the people, the district she represents, or America!"
Another wrote, "gross" and yet another said "hell no."
At a Friday breakfast gaggle, the initial topic was how well Congresswoman Tlaib would be accepted in Livonia.
This typewriter asks all those who have formed an opinion to hold on and meet her. Meet her and have a discussion based on what the issues are that will affect Livonia, build a bridge so that if there are programs that might be beneficial to Livonia our hometown can sit down and present our case without having predetermined ideas or outright rejection.
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I know from personal experience helping a downriver relative that Tlaib's staff works hard at constituent services, is available and accessible and yes she does have a national reputation that may turn some off, but let's, especially our elected officials hold off until you sit down with her one on one and see just exactly how she is going to represent Livonia, as well as Southfield, Redford, Dearborn, and Detroit.
You don't agree with her policies then work hard to defeat her. But first let's see if we can find a bridge. Let's see what common needs we have, what our needs as a community have, and how she can help us should she win in November.
We do no good to immediately start encouraging a negative view.
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Reflections on Redistricting:
Michigan Redistricting Commission selects
Maps for Next Ten Years
Opinion piece provided FridayMusings by Jim McConnell, Chair Redistricting Committee, Livonia Democratic Club
Following procedures adopted by Michigan voters in November 2018, the newly-established Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission has fulfilled its mission of adopting maps for our state’s 13 U.S. Congress, 38 State Senate, and 110 State House of Representatives districts.
With legal challenges likely continuing, the thirteen-member MICrC ( 4 Dems, 4 GOP, and 5 Independents acted in conformity with Article IV of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, as amended, to create district boundaries based on the 2020 Census data. The 13 members were selected from more than 9,000 applicants, using a computer-generated criteria-based selection process.
They spent hundreds of hours in public meetings, hearings, and outreach endeavors designed to increase public awareness of and participation in this challenging political process. All Michigan citizens should be grateful for their effort even if not fully satisfied with specific details.
As the M.I.C.R.C. approached its December 30, 2021, deadline for making decisions on the three maps, they wisely added two additional days of public meetings/ They wanted to provide adequate time for more public comment and, as the voting process was complex, needed to ensure proper procedures were followed.
Their final meeting actually occurred on the first of the three days scheduled: Tuesday, December 28th. Following a morning session hearing citizen opinions and a thorough staff description of the voting process, they recessed for lunch. In the afternoon, the Commissioners offered final comments and swiftly completed the map selection for the U.S. Congress, the State Senate, and the state House of Representatives.
Inaccurate media coverage designed to stir up controversy and criticism from self-serving politicians did not detract from the serious, sincere efforts of thirteen dedicated citizens to fulfill their mission. They were not even distracted by the threat of lawsuits. Now that the Commission is actually facing legal challenges, one can only trust that the Michigan Supreme Court will support the decisions of the M.I.C.R.C.
News media are now reporting on the decisions of candidates about what office to run for and whether or not individuals are moving to new districts to increase their chances for success. The filing deadline is set for April 19, 2022. This will be an extremely interesting election year. For more info on the Michigan Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, visit https://america250.org/about/leadership/commission/
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Kayaking in the Winter with Mike Rudell |
Many readers of FridayMusings know that we have on occasion shared pictures and commentary from Livonia's Mike Rudell who enjoys kayaking more than anyone I have ever met.
He was recently on a show "talking about cold water kayaking and safety. It was my first time ever doing something like this and I think it went well.
His interview starts at around the 5:30 mark of the show. Really good interview, especially for someone who lives vicariously through those enjoying the outdoors.
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