Hardies Family Trust impacts Livonia with $160,000 in donations |
Thursday the legacy of the late Bob Hardies made a major impact on the hometown he loved with the donation of $160,000 to nine Livonia civic organizations.
Carol Brodbeck, Trustee of the Trust Fund along with Dan MacIver presented checks to the nine organizations appropriately at the Financial and Portfolio Advisors office where Hardies started his love for Livonia 35 years ago.
Bob Hardies passed away 18 months ago. He left instructions that assets be placed in a Family Trust for disbursement to community organizations benefiting Livonia.
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$40,000 to the Friends for the Development of Greenmead to renovate and create a year-round home for the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame.
Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan and Ted Davis accepting the donation.
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$25,000 to Seedlings to replace an old unreliable burster to not only print current demands, but also increased need for children sheltering at home due to COVID.
Debra Bonde accepting the donation.
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$12,000 to Livonia Youth Choir for scholar- ships, and to cover costs of performing, singing the National Anthem, at a televised NASCAR race.
Christy Schoonover and daughter Alice Schoonover accepting the donation.
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$30,000 to Livonia Symphony Orchestra to provide Engagement Committee funds needed to bring the magic of music back to audiences and also support both the instrument and outreach programs.
Sister Mary Ann Smith, CSSF, Director Volodymyr Shesiuk and Carol Bonamici accepting the donation.
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$18,232 to Clarenceville Education Foundation to replace two 20-year old wrestling mats: provide better prestige for school; reduce set-up time; potential future revenue hosting tournaments; promotes & provides MS athletic option; and provides for simultaneous meets and practice of HS and MS teams.
Dan MacIver accepting the donation on behalf of the CEF. Joseph Sanchez, Nick Elam, and Kevin Murphy accepting on behalf of the wrestling team.
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$10,000 to the Livonia Community Foundation for organization grants that provide a net for those in need and to help fund COVID first responders' fund.
John Hiltz and Brian Meakin accepting the donation.
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$5,000 to Livonia Kids and Families for the Livonia Good Old Fashioned Corn Roast with 2 goals: bringing new families together and bring community organizations together to showcase community service.
Veronica Cruz accepting the donation.
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$19,000 to the Livonia Civic Chorus to Support Mission (nurture vocal talents of members through performances) and Vision (Enriched musical Experiences for members and cultural life of our community)
Kathleen Chichester and Peggy Gaskill accepting the donation.
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Livonia:
A hometown 2021 Goals
Reasons to Love Livonia
by Former Livonia Mayor
Jack Engebretson
As a resident of Livonia for 50 years who had the privilege of serving in multiple official city offices including the Planning Commission, City Council and finally as the full-time Mayor from 2004 – 2008, I love Livonia for many reasons. First and foremost is the fact that we live in a safe community – with outstanding police and fire departments – both led by extremely competent and ethical individuals. Livonia’s police officers are among the best equipped and most highly trained in the Metro Detroit region. The same can be said for our fire department that, in addition to traditional firefighting equipment, also operates heavy rescue equipment and a fleet of modern ambulances staffed by Advanced Life Support Paramedics. Our public safety departments make it possible for us to have the quality-of-life that we enjoy.
All city operating departments are led by highly qualified individuals who work hard every day to keep our City operating smoothly in good times and bad (with the pandemic of 2020-21 being the ultimate test). I love what all those dedicated individuals do as well.
The many excellent services that the City of Livonia provides to our 92,000 residents and 5,000 businesses are provided by a well-organized network of more than 20 city departments that always work together to make the community function so well for the benefit of our residents, businesses, and visitors.
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Like many others, our family was primarily attracted to Livonia by the school system and we purchased our home in 1971. It did not take long for our family to realize that Livonia offered so many other things: beautiful parks, thriving neighborhoods, abundant recreational facilities, and city services that were second to none.
Does Livonia have problems? Yes, of course we do, just as every community does, but I know that Livonia has the resources, organization, and the will to overcome virtually any challenge. I regret any instances of bias directed toward people due to their race, country of origin, or religion; but the Livonians that I know welcome all people to Livonia – in our neighborhoods, businesses and to shop, dine, and enjoy all our parks and recreation amenities.
One of the often-overlooked benefits is that our founders and early residents, worked with the visionary outlook of our government officials to lay out the City with six consecutive square miles (on a rail line and now a freeway too) dedicated to manufacturing and related business. The remaining 30 square miles were reserved for homes, schools, parks, houses of worship, roads, flood drains, and convenient local shopping. Those early settlers and those who followed them did an exceptionally good job in defining how to design and adapt the farmland that became the Township and later the thriving City of Livonia. They also established and nurtured the volunteer mindset that has been a cornerstone of our community.
As the City developed, new resources evolved including St. Mary Mercy Hospital, a 300+ bed facility with major trauma emergency facilities. We are home to Schoolcraft Community College, Madonna University, and other post-secondary facilities. It would be hard to talk about Livonia assets without mentioning Greenmead, where much of our history has been preserved – mostly by exceptional volunteers. Similarly, the Wilson Barn is another community treasure, preserved and enhanced by dedicated volunteers.
The City of Livonia also provides extensive services to our senior community, many of whom contributed to the development of the City. The senior services include city-owned affordable housing, a wide range of programs and activities at the Civic Park Senior Center, and low-cost, door-to-door transportation for both seniors and those living with disabilities to many destinations including medical appointments and other destinations.
Livonia has two modern libraries strategically located to serve our city. The Civic Center Library provides a complete array of services for residents of all ages. The large, modern Kirksey Recreation center, centrally located on the Civic Center campus, offers extensive facilities for all ages and abilities.
Many commercial venues offering dining, and shopping are located throughout the city. While we may not have a literal “downtown” we do have areas of the community that are inviting places for people to gather giving Livonia a special, hometown feel.
The Livonia Community Foundation (LCF) is a shining example of the volunteer spirit that thrives in our community. The LCF contributes substantial funding to more than 20 local non-profit organizations every year. Recipients have included the Livonia Symphony Orchestra, Seedlings Braille Books for Children, Angela Hospice, and Livonia Goodfellows. In addition, Livonia has many service organizations such as Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, and a large and vibrant Chamber of Commerce all of whom work tirelessly to make Livonia a better community. Those organizations, and many others, make Livonia such a special place.
Did I mention that Livonia residents enjoy all these benefits while we have the lowest property-tax rate among all cities in Wayne County? Our City government is a model of good management with excellent department heads and hard-working employees, combined with a tradition of strong non-partisan elected leaders.
I love all those things (and more) about Livonia but, as I said in my opening, that all the good things in Livonia rest on the shoulders of the Public Safety first responders who keep our city safe and protect everyone who lives, works, or visits the city. That is the foundation of Why I Love Livonia.
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LPS looks to ‘zero tax increase’ bond issue to continue progress as a ‘destination district’ |
The Livonia Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to move forward with a “zero tax increase” bond proposal during a May 4, 2021 election.
The highlight, according to board members, is that the district would garner $186 million for needed improvements without raising the tax rate.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity in front of us, to propose to our community a ‘no new tax increase’ bond that will still bring in the number of dollars we need to not only continue the good work of our last bond but also look at exciting things such as the possible expansion of our career technical center and an early childhood center,” said Board President Colleen Burton. “To achieve these improvements with a zero tax increase is a win-win for our students, staff, parents, and the community.”
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Timing is Right
District Finance Director Alison Smith explains that now is the time to seek additional funding through a bond, while interest rates are historically low. She also notes that the debt retirement is at the point where the millage rate can continue at the current level and provide $186 million with no increase to taxpayers. This would not be the case if the bonds are secured at a later time.
The 20-year proposal is the latest effort to carry out the work that is identified in the district’s 10-Year Facility Plan, a living document that guides long-term projects at the district’s 28 occupied properties. Within that plan, detailed needs for each site have been categorized in areas such as paving, roofs, plumbing, electrical, windows, ventilation systems, windows, doors, lockers, and more.
It is the district’s strong fiscal stewardship that has built financial stability in Livonia Public Schools, through steady growth of the fund balance; refinancing of prior bonds; consistently high ratings on external audits, and a strong credit rating for the district.
Next Step Forward
While the 2013 bond went a long way in modernizing the district’s buildings, which are on average 60 years old, several improvements and critical needs were not able to be included in the scope and budget of the bond.
The projects completed by the prior bond are a great source of pride in our district and community. However, many items of remaining need include air conditioning in classrooms, offices, and labs; the redevelopment and reimagining of the district’s library media centers; kitchens and food serving lines; and facility improvements such as improving ventilation, and further enhancing security, technology, and the district’s athletic areas.
Protecting & Enhancing Investment
The next phase of the proposal addresses protecting and enhancing the district’s investments.
The district has nearly 3 million square feet of space on 700 acres, across 28 buildings.
Areas that would be included in this portion of the bond include the ongoing updating and replacement of instructional technology; furniture and instructional equipment for classrooms; further security enhancements; school bus replacements; additional replacements of playground equipment; improvements to the athletic areas such as the high school field houses, pools, annex buildings and middle school gymnasiums.
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Future Forward
Lastly, the bond would bring innovative opportunities to further expand the district’s offerings for students and families. These forward-thinking projects include expanding the district’s Project Lead the Way program offerings, the gold standard for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. Also envisioned is a new “home” for the LPS robotics programs; a state-of-the-art comprehensive early childhood center; the expansion of the award-winning Livonia Career Technical Center while growing career tech courses that are in high demand.
“We are able to take a look at our existing offerings and be certain that we can continue to keep an eye moving forward with growth, innovation, and excellence in mind,” said Superintendent Andrea Oquist. “And, this is important for the retention and the recruitment of students and families -- to have Livonia remain a destination district for families and our community.”
With the approval of the Board of Education, the district will now embark on a robust informational campaign within the LPS community.
“We are excited to share our vision for the future with the community,” said Communications Administrator Stacy Jenkins. “We know that every improvement in our school district benefits our entire community and propels our sense of pride. A nearly $200 million investment such as this would bolster property values and further attract families to our community for years to come.”
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