The Livonia City Council is set to vote Monday evening on a Police Department’s Crisis Support Team which will establish the basis for a first-of-its-kind program in Southeast Michigan. Social workers will be embedded directly within the Livonia Police Department.
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A contract will be entered into between the Police Department and Hegira Health that will add mental health and social services as co-responders to the department.
Councilman Brandon McCullough is "proud that this is a step being taken by the City of Livonia and I look forward to supporting it Monday evening. We continue to make progress and this is an important part of that progress."
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Click on image for movie times
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Rose Kachnowski, Past President, Livonia Symphony Orchestra: Many years ago when Greenmead was in its infancy a Bluegrass Festival was held at Greenmead under the leadership of former Councilman Robert Bishop. It was a great event along with a pie baking contest like a mini State Fair. It was just on the large field and it was very well attended. I believe we just used the old Wenger wagon as a stage.
The idea of a outdoor pavilion which is permanent could be what Greenmead could use to further the proposed goals for the use of Greenmead as a year round venue. Flint had a beautiful permanent structure which we did suggest as a possible pattern to look at. I know this is expensive and many people would have rather seen the money for a year round performing arts center in Livonia which could be used year round.
Now we have 3 Performing Arts Centers and as nice as they are since the schools needs come first as it should be it is difficult for arts organizations to book their events in a timely fashion to prepare their seasons.
Maybe because of the increased awareness of Greenmead, maybe the time is right for an outdoor performance venue. It is definitely a more private location than putting it somewhere in the city hall area. Just my thoughts for now for what they are worth and I definitely like the idea of Naming Rights. I still am hopeful that someday Livonia will be able to have its own city Performing Center for the Arts I always felt that the corner of Schoolcraft and Levan or somewhere on the Madonna campus would have been perfect...easily visible and easy to get to.
The other thought would be the site of Dickinson school. Private, visable, lots of land and easy to get to.
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What will the decade of the 2020's hold for Livonia
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Livonia:
A hometown 2021 Goals
2021 goal for Livonia offered
by Rev. Kellie Whitlock
“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it –
if only we’re brave enough to be it.” ~Poet Amanda Gorman
What if we weren’t afraid anymore? In 2020 fear took root and like a storm rose up to cover the landscape of our daily living. We struggled to find our sure footing inside the tempest of a global pandemic, as well as the far-reaching, deeper than we imagined fear-focused divisions among us. Battering winds of an uncertain future, political unrest, economic downturn and the rise of unemployment, giant thunderclaps of hate, systemic racism and poverty - brewed a storm like no other – soaking our spirits with angst, turmoil, and fear.
In the face of this reality, when fear seems insurmountable and we may want to give in, the words of Rosa Parks come to mind: “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true…No. The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” Should we stick with the hardship and disappointments we know instead of heading into new territory? No. The first settlers of Livonia, as well as the generations since, overcame great obstacles to establish this city we now call home. We cannot allow fear to keep us safe on our shore as spectators in the life of our community - complaining that we want things to be different yet do nothing to be an active participant in the solution.
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Throughout history, God has spoken three words more often than any others when God’s children were scared and confused, lost or lonely, sick and tired, wounded or hopeless. Either in a loud, assuring voice, or in a quiet transforming whisper, God says, “DO NOT FEAR.” We are all God’s children, equally loved by Jesus whose name, “Immanuel”, means “God with us!” In other words, God does not keep us at arm’s length – God is actively moving and working and living among us, right where we are. Faith over fear makes what seems impossible, possible, like reflecting the light of God’s unstoppable love into a giant like hate. “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
“Do not fear” is an invitation to welcome in our “2021 No Fear, New Year,” Livonia! We are changing the landscape of fear by becoming a lighthouse in the dark. Side by side, hand in hand, we will continue to listen and learn from one another as we seek to build relationships based on trust. We will listen to the pain of others and we will seek reconciliation for past hurts. We will support one another in our work and labor. We will collaborate, dream and vision knowing that our best days are ahead of us! There is no possibility that is too imaginative or too bold when we’re “being brave enough to BE light!”
YOU have a place to call your own in Livonia. Find your passion, share your skills, “love your neighbor,” as Jesus said, and let each and every one of us commit ourselves to active light-sharing in every sector of this amazing city! Let’s let our lights shine together, all while allowing God to teach us how to live in expectation and trust, that who we are and what we do today may be anchored in the certainty of God’s tomorrow with no fear.
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And now there are two in the race for city council
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And now there are two. Two having announced that they will be in the hunt for one of four seats on the City Council in the election this November.
The first to announce was incumbent Jim Jolly. The second is Library Commissioner Carrie Budzinski.
Budzinski served on the Historical Commission until she moved to the Library Commission last fall.
"I LOVE Greenmead and feel so frustrated that it's been underutilized and overlooked.
"Not once during my tenure on any commission has an elected official participated in a meeting, made a special visit to see what's actually happening at the venue, or reached out to any of the commissioners that I'm aware of and it's one of the main reasons I am running.
"Commissions have a surprising amount of authority but are also left in limbo. I believe good governance requires engagement and accountability and Greenmead is just one area where I see that it has been lacking.
"The good news is Greenmead is now getting attention and I am an avid of a supporter of it as FridayMusings is."
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"I believe in Democracy and democracy only works if we get involved. To protect our freedom we must actively engage with the government, know our elected officials and run for office.
"I've done the first two, now it's time for the next step.
"I LOVE Livonia. It's my home and the place I'm raising my kids. I'm proud to live here and I want other young families to choose to be here too. For that to happen, I believe we need to do a better job highlighting the amenities the city has to offer and create more.
"Additionally, the economy and work-life are changing. I want to make sure Livonia is ready for that change by working with the large companies that do business here and supporting the small businesses + entrepreneurs who create the backbone of our community."
Here is the link to her campaign website:
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