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Livonia City Council
January 25
The city council by a 5-2 vote referred to committee for further discussion the proposal for a crisis support team. Councilmen Jolly and McCullough preferred to vote approval at this meeting.
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Livonia School Board
January 25
The school board approved ballot language for a 2021 Bond Proposal. There will be a Special Election in May for a 20yr - $186M Bond proposal which is a renewal and not an increase.
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Livonia:
Meet your new Livonia Board of Education Officers
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President Colleen Burton
Colleen Burton was elected to the Board in November of 2009 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. She is a graduate of Livonia Bentley High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Harding University. Colleen is the parent of three LPS graduates. She currently works as a sales assistant. She has served as a member of the District School Improvement Team, PTA President, Treasurer, and Membership Chairperson, and Stevenson Booster Club School Beautification Chairperson. Colleen is certified by the Michigan Association of School Boards and has achieved the MASB Master Diamond Award.
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Vice President Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson was elected to the Board in June of 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. He is a graduate of Livonia Public Schools and attended the University of Toledo where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance degree. Mark is the parent of one LPS graduate and one current LPS student. He has been a trial lawyer for more than 25 years. Mark is certified by the Michigan Association of School Boards and has achieved the MASB Master Board Member Award.
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Secretary Karen Bradford
Karen Bradford was elected to the Board in November 2016 and re-elected in 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and a Master of Arts degree in Reading from Eastern Michigan University. She works part-time as a substitute teacher and also worked as an ACAT tester at Webster Elementary. Karen is the proud parent of four LPS graduates and was very active in the PTA, having served as past president of Hoover, Holmes, and Stevenson in addition to many other PTA/PTSA board positions. She has also served on the District School Improvement Team, as well as the LPS Return to Learn Task Force. Karen is certified by the Michigan Association of School Boards and has achieved the MASB Award of Merit.
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How is the City Council race shaping up |
With two in the race for Livonia City Council who else is considering joining the field?
Incumbents Laura Toy and Rob Donovic are expected to join the race for re-election. Councilwoman Cathy White is term-limited as she's finishing her second term.
Challengers whose names are being discussed around the water cooler, if the coolers were available, include:
Wafa Dinaro, pictured on the left, is the Executive Director, Wayne County Economic Development Corporation. She will be one of four strong challengers giving rise to one of the best field of challengers in years.
Two-term former City Councilman Brandon Kritzman, an architect, who has set out the charter required two years since last serving. He is considered a strong, perhaps front runner for one of the four seats, bringing name recognition after serving two terms, to the campaign.
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Incumbent Laura Toy is considered as one of the candidates who could run #1 and thus return to the position of City Council President. She brings service as State Representative, State Senator, Treasurer, and City Council.
Zoning Board Commissioner Tim Klisz, an attorney, is considering a run for council. Another strong candidate Klisz serves on the ZBA which provides a resume of community service that could have him as a strong challenger for one of the four seats.
Rob Donovic, former elected Redford Recreation Commissioner won the two-year term on the City Council in the last election. Currently serving in the armed services in the Middle East he is expected to be back in Livonia in time for his re-election campaign.
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Incumbent Jim Jolly, Assistant Provost Lawrence Technological University, is considered, along with Toy, as one of the strongest candidates who could potentially finish #1 and serve as Council President.
Carrie Budzinski, a member of the Livonia Library Commission, was the first challenger to file for Council. Another strong candidate who rounds out a potential field that provides Livonia with one of the strongest group of candidates in years.
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Most political campaigns include a picture of a senior citizen, American flag, police officer, and fireman. All well and good but then voters are left to wonder just what substance goes behind each of the pictures. What context are the pictures being shown in.
This year we have every reason as voters to ask what the candidate goals are. What do you want to see accomplished specifically.
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With that in mind Musings has started the year by asking some of our community leaders how they would like to see the 2020s shape up with projects or programs that will continue to align our hometown with the leadership western Wayne County has come to expect from Livonia.
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City elections are set for the year:
Aug. 3 - City Primary (if necessary)
Nov. 2 - City General
If you would like to file for City office, only the Livonia City Council election will be held this year. Mayor, Treasurer, and Clerk elections will be held in 2023.
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