January 8, 2020 Your source for All Livonia news. All the time. All ways positive.
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Art + Culture + Recreation + Volunteerism = Livonia
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| Is mass transit on the horizon for Livonia and Wayne County. What do you think? |
In 2006 Mayor Jack Engebretson convened a citizen committee to discuss overriding the Headlee Amendment in order to place the city millage back at the original level in our City Charter. The millage had dropped each year meaning the city of Livonia would be collecting less money at a rate less than allowed for in our charter.
The committee voted 16-1 with a recommendation in favor of placing the Headlee override on the city ballot. The city council elected instead to withdraw from the regional transit authority and starting up a transit program of our own for senior citizens with the expectation that the residents would benefit from a reduction in the taxes paid to the regional transit authority and the city would use a part of the savings to fund our own internal transit program.
Flash forward 14 years and we find leaders from Southeast Michigan creating a new plan to get a mass transit millage on the November 2020 ballot in Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties with Macomb County opting out.
The plan calls for asking the Legislature to amend the Municipal Partnership Act of 2011 to allow the three counties to place individual property tax hikes for transit on the ballotin 2020 that could be pooled for improving mass transportation services.
If the Legislature approves changes to the law, the three counties would have to craft a new regional transit service plan and the three county commissions would have
to pass resolutions to place the plan on the ballot.
If this plan were approved County Executive Warren Evans has suggested that local municipalities could take a portion of the money they have
voted in and either used it for local transit opportunities or have the county be responsible for developing a county wide transit program.
Warren Evans has floated a proposal that would make several major changes to the plan that voters rejected in 2016. His new plan:
- Provides a commuter train between Detroit and Ann Arbor
- Provides $50 million per year for a program called Hometown Service to 60 communities that do not have regularly scheduled bus routes. The money can be spent locally on "creative mobility solutions" such as ridesharing or campus connectors - or rolled over for the county to spend
- Adds 11 new highway-based express bus routes with park and ride lots; and adds one airport-bound route from each county
- Adds 15 regional bus routes that run every 15 minutes during rush hour, including 10 routes that run cross-county 20-hours per day and three that offer 24 hours service
- Provides 105 percent return on each county's investment, compared to 85 percent in the prior plan.
It doesn't come without a cost, though. The plan would charge homeowners 1.5 mills per year.
FridayMusings is putting one question to you:
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced a plan to ask the State Legislature to amend the Municipal Partnership Act of 2011, which allows for local municipalities to partner on services and raise taxes. Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties could then propose a tax millage on the 2020 ballot to fund regional transit. If this passes the legislature would you be willing to vote yes if a portion of the monies raised in Livonia stayed in Livonia to fund local transit options; options decided upon by Livonia based on Livonioa needs?
To answer the question and offer up your anecdotal comments simply click the link before. Your responses will be run in a future issue of FridayMusings:
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| Our Livonia UPS Store Tops in the Nation during Toys for Tots Literacy Program |
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Last year the Livonia UPS Store donated books to the Grandview Elementary School in the Clarenceville school district in addition to books donated to Seedlings Braille Books for Children
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On December 18 Eric Ladwig called the typewriter to announce that his UPS Store, Five and Newburgh, was only a couple hundred dollars out of first place in the annual Toys for Tots program, this year supporting literacy in a joint effort between UPS Stores and the United States Marine Corp with 100% of the proceeds going to buy books.
The community of Livonia took up the challenge and in the last three days of the campaign they pushed our hometown store over the top. Over the top in a big way.
"Of over 5,000 UPS stores in the Unites States, our Livonia UPS Store led the country in donations during the
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Eric Ladwig
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annual Toys for Tots Literacy Program campaign," said store owners Eric and Liz Ladwig. "It was a total group effort led by our Store Manager, Daniel Stybel, our dedicated and committed staff, and the generosity of our customers in Livonia and surrounding communities."
"I just can't get over the giving nature of our customers," said Ladwig. "When we would ask for a donation and explained what we were collecting for, the customers often asked if $20 would be enough."
Due to the combined effort of all involved, their UPS Store collected $6,073, almost $1,000 more than any other UPS Store.
Ladwig says, "The money will be donated to Seedlings Braille Books, a non-profit Livonia organization which produces braille books for children." Furthermore, as president of the UPS Store advertising co-op for Metro Detroit, Ladwig expects to use his influence to encourage further donations to Seedlings.
"It is less about the ego involved with collecting the most money, and more about the books for the visually impaired children," added Ladwig. "Imagine the world that becomes available through books. It is like a Pandora's Box of wonder and imagination. And since the child owns the book, they can return to that world of wonder between the pages whenever they feel the need to take a trip into the beautiful world of knowledge. That is why we do it"
Livonia is a giving community and this is just one more source of our hometown largess.
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| Katie Bertolo Named Cole, Newton & Duran's 2019 Employee of the Year |
 Katie Bertolo, staff accountant at Cole Newton & Duran CPAs, has received the firm's Richard P. Newton Employee of the Year award. This annual honor is given to the employee who exemplifies outstanding service and dedication.
"Being voted employee of the year by your colleagues is a great honor and Katie is a well-deserved recipient," said Arthur Cole, managing partner of Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs. "This award is in its 16
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year of existence and Katie joins an elite group of former winners. Katie plays a crucial role in the firm. Her dedication and passion to working with colleagues combined with her client relation expertise and knowledge is why Katie was the perfect choice for this award. She will forever be enshrined in CND's rich history."
Katie joined Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs in 2016 and has more than three years of experience providing accounting, tax, and consulting services to clients in a variety of industries. She specializes in the preparation of payroll, payroll taxes, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and year-end accounting work as well as financial statement preparation. She also has experience preparing tax returns for corporations, individuals and partnerships as well as for companies that are in the sales, health care, manufacturing, and home improvement industries.
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| The time has come. Let's do it. Lace up and drop the puck. |
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The Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-star game is beginning to shape up with an increase in partnerships, the addition of Cole, Newton & Duran cpa's, benefiting Friends for the Development of Greenmead and Livonia Kids and Families. Art Cole and CND joins Dan MacIver and F&PA as sponsors with the game being presented by AlphaUSA in partnership with City Councilman Brandon McCullough. The hockey game is scheduled in May with date and time to be announced soon.
If you are looking to skate, and those who have already passed along their name don't need to again, simply drop an email to [email protected] or Brandon McCullough at
[email protected] .
If you have not skated in years and never played hockey we would to have you but this might not work out for you. We do not want to embarrass anyone. It will be a fun afternoon for sure.
Let's do it.
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Click on this image for all movie times at the Phoenix
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Whenever possible Musings will provide a link to the city council meeting from that week
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When ever possible Musings will provide a link to the City Council Meeting from that week.
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Livonia City Council Study Meeting -
January 6, 2020
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January in Livonia
Dickerson Art Gallery will be presenting recent works from the following artists at the Bennett Civic Center Library during the month of January:
Durwood Coffey, Barb Gibson,
Mark Krecic, Jon Lange, Vic Leo,
Kay Masini,
Marcia Polenberg,
Ted Ramsay, Mireille Ripley,
Gwen Roth,Tim Tonachella,
Paul Zenian, and guest artist,
Danny Rebb
January 10 @8:00
January 13
Official launch of the
Tour de Livonia
January 14
Peace with Integral Consciousness/ Tada Gunter
Livonia Citizens for Peace
Livonia Senior Center
January 18
CLARENCEVILLE Senior All Night Party
BOWLING FUNDRAISER @ MerriBowl
January 18 @ 11:00 - 2:00
Franklin High School
PTA DADS Chili Cook-off
January 19 @ 1:00 - 4:00
January 20 @ 2:00
Livonia Historic Society @ Greenmead's Blue House
"Shanty Boys, Peaveys, and River Hogs-
Michigan's Lumbering Days"
January 23
Senior Center Book Club: Failures of Presidents
A Project of AlphaUSA
Moderated by Chuck Dardas and the typewriter
February in Livonia
February 1 @ 2:00 - 4:00 or 6:00 - 8:00
Daddy-Daughter Dance
Elk's Lodge 31117 Plymouth Road
For more information, call (734) 466-2900.
Co-sponsored by Livonia Elk's Lodge and
Livonia Parks & Recreation
February 11
Nonviolence: The Way to Peace/ Colleen Mills
Livonia Citizens for Peace
Livonia Senior Center
February 12
Livonia GOP Lincoln Day Dinner
February 16 @ 1:00
Cardboard Boat Races
Jack Kirksey Recreation Center
Registration begins on Monday, Jan. 6
February 22 @ 4:00
PASSPORT TO SCANDINAVIA
Livonia Symphony Orchestra
Clarenceville's Historic Louis Schmidt Auditorium
February 23 @ 4:30 - 8:30
The Ian Clemens 4th Annual Trivia Night
Hosted by The Ian Clemens Foundation
St. Mary's Cultural Center
March in Livonia
March 10
100 Years of Women's Suffrage/What's Next?
Angela Ryan
Livonia Citizens for Peace
Livonia Senior Center
March 14
33rd Annual Bowling for Braille Bopoks
Novi Bowl Family Fun Center
March 21 @ 9:00 - 3:00
April in Livonia
April 14
Todays Africa Through American Eyes with
Dr. Peggi J. Tabor, PhD
Livonia Citizens for Peace
Livonia Senior Center
June in Livonia
June 7 @ 3:00
Livonia Civic Chorus Spring Concert
Churchill High School Performing Arts Center
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United States Senate
Gary Peters (D-I)
John James (R)
United States House of Representatives
Haley Stevens (D-I)
Whitney Williams (R)
Eric Esshaki (R)
Michigan House of Representatives
Laurie Pohutsky (D-I)
Martha Ptashnik (R)
https://www.facebook.com/ElectReginaGargus2020/ |
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 Musings enjoys reading about the Seedlings' kids and thought it would be of interest to share some of their stories:
Madison (pictured), is one of Seedlings' kids, who recently received some free books from Seedlings. Her grandmother sent a this wonderful quote:
"Madison is three years old, born without sight. Madison loves to get mail, and when we open up new books from Seedlings, she gets very excited. She wants to sit and read them right away! I love the variety of braille books offered with touch and feel pages for toddlers. Thank you Seedlings for helping us to have
more books to open up Madison's world."
"We love to hear feedback like this, we are so happy Madison is enjoying the books! Happy reading!"
~Photo is of Madison sitting with her "Sensational Alphabet" book, feeling the page.~
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Getting out of the winter doldrums and having some fun.
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Shake off the winter blahs and join the Ian Clemens 4th Annual Trivia Night for a fun filled evening raising money to further their mission! The fun is on Sunday, February 23rd from 4:30 - 8:30, at St. Mary's Cultural Center.
The ticket price of $35.00 includes 2 hours of competitive trivia, buffet dinner, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. There is also an awesome raffle and a 50/50. This is a BYOB event (mixers available)
Get your tickets by clicking here.
Register a team of 10 or make new friends by allowing us to assign you to a table.
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| Livonia's best. Chili that is. Come on out and sample. |
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January 18, 11:00 - 2:00. Franklin High School. Open to the public and all are welcome to attend for this fun Livonia Chili Cook-off. A $5 admission gets you refreshments and unlimited chili samples from all of our entrants, while supplies last.
An event to get Dads and Designated Superstars to join and support their favorite PTAs, earn money for their favorite schools, and have a great time while doing it. All adult members of their school's PTA are welcome to register!!
The 1st place Winner will take home a fantastic prize package, a $500 grant, courtesy of The Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers, for their favorite Livonia Public School, and bragging rights for 365 days.
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Eric Hipple joins Livonia Chamber to take on the issue of suicide and mental health.
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 Eric Hipple is a former Detroit Lions quarterback who was at the pinnacle of his career with a memorable, victorious performance on the Monday Night Football stage. He endured a horrific loss when his 15-year-old son was a victim of suicide, then he struggled with his own mental health in the aftermath. He turned his personal tragedy into a mission to study and speak about mental health, inspired by the memory of his son, to prevent others from facing such a tragedy.
Hipple will speak February 27th at 11:30, about how families can live with depression, in an important Livonia Chamber of Commerce program that provides valuable information for your family and your workplace. His presentation will take place at the Schoolcraft College Vis Ta Tech Center. For reservations contact the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber is proud to have businesses sponsor high school tables at this event to help share the important message with our community's young adults. Email [email protected] to sponsor a table of high school or college students.
Attendees are welcome to stay to meet Eric Hipple and purchase his book Real Men Do Cry, which he will autograph.
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Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town this May
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| Jaycees turning vision into action and you can help |
This January 16th, from 4:00 - 8:00, help support the Livonia Jaycees by visiting Mod Pizza on Middlebelt Road and enjoying some delicious artisan-style pizzas and salads.
20% of your bill will be gifted to the chapter to help support their awesome community projects this year.
Join the Livonia Jaycees at MOD pizza as they begin turning Vision into Action!
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| Chamber Awards Dinner set for February 20 |
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Thursday, February 20 at 5:00. Laurel Manor Banquet & Conference Center
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| A mid-winter party on February 1st |
 Soup, chili, bread, pierogies, and a silent auction! Join the Livonia Democrats, Saturday, February 1st from 6:30 until 9:30, at the UAW Hall Local 182, for a great family night out!
You will eat, drink and be merry and raise funds to support the club activities.
Club members and club friends will bring their favorite soups and chilis in crockpots, as well as breads, and there will be soft drinks and adult beverages.
The charge will be $15 per person for all you can eat, though no charge for the individual who contributes a home-cooked or purchased crock of soup or chili. Locally made pierogies will also be cooking and for sale at a small additional charge. Children 12 and under are free.
There will also be a silent auction which will include a painting by Maria Marcotte, another great handmade guitar from Ken Widmer, and several baskets. And, since it's the weekend before the Iowa Caucuses, they will have a straw poll of our own! Come and join them for an evening of fun and food.
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Start January off with a good mystery at our
Livonia Barefoot Productions |
Susan Glaspell's Trifles, is a classic story of a murder on a farm in Iowa and the two overlooked women who solve it.
The Outside, also by Susan Glaspell, is a story about a woman who is trying to get away from everything, but finds that everything still finds her.
O. Henry, the undisputed king of irony, is the author of the other two short plays.
The Ransom of Red Chief centers on two small time con men, Sam and Bill, who travel the South looking for small money-making schemes that we're guessing end up exploding in their faces.
While the Auto Waits is a sweet and whimsical short play is about two young people who seem determined to impress each other by being someone other than who they actually are.
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| One way to support our Livonia Public School Teachers |
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Just a reminder for The Supply Closet for Livonia Public Schools FB Group.
The mission of this group is to support LPS Teachers and their classrooms. The purpose is to provide a platform for Parents and Community Members to donate items to Teachers, fulfill needs they may not be aware of, or make possible a project that needs supplies. This is a great opportunity to re-purpose items that would otherwise go unused. While the main intention is donations from the community to Teachers, exchanges between Teachers is also encouraged.
This group functions as a "virtual" Supply Closet for LPS Teachers; the focus is items that can be used in the classroom.
Use the below link to join the Group. It is a Private Group - when requesting to join, you will be asked a few questions that will need to be answered for approval. After joining, please read the pinned announcement at the top of the group page to learn the rules and how the group functions.
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