Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 10.08.21

October 8, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia

For two years Brandon McCullough talked about Eddie Edgar Arena and 300 hockey fans watching the Detroit Red Wings Alumni playing an all-star team from Livonia.

Of course, he would captain the team and his brother Ryan would be the Assistant Captain.

Well, as soon as the pandemic lowered its profile he pulled out his Rolodex and started making the calls. First to line up sponsors. Second to line up a team of All-stars.

Oh, and sign the Red Wing Alumni to a contract for October 10th.

AlphaUSA was the first to sign up, followed by Dan MacIver of Financial and Portfolio Advisors. Eric Ladwig at the UPS Store and Art Cole at Cole, Newton, Duran CPA's were next to become early sponsors. And little arm twisting was needed for FridayMusings to jump on board.

Next up was putting together a program book. Between the sponsors, program book, and ticket sales the goal was to raise $10,000 for Livonia Kids and Families.

(Pictured here is the intermission check presentation by F&PA, AlphaUSA, Brandon McCullough to LK&F)

This game was to raise the profile of LK&F, the charity that among other things had started the food pantry at Emerson Middle School, now at Franklin High School. Just last year had donated $50,000 for computer tablets so that every teacher and every student at Clarenceville had one for at-home learning.

This was to be a community engagement event while raising levels of consciousness and yes while having fun on the ice.

Over lunch, a text was sent to Mayor Bill Wild of Westland, himself an avid skater and host of a Red Wing game in his hometown. He responded immediately and said he would be there to skate.

(Pictured here are the two Mayors, Brosnan, and Wild)

Nicolette Frank a former Women's Professional Canadian League Goalie came on board to share goalie duties with Andy Copeland.

Kim Chenoweth of the Wayne State Women's Hall of Fame enlisted. Livonia police department signed up three, Garet Savage, Derek Voight, and Kallin Morris. Devin Jennison represented the Livonia fire department.

The team was looking good. Brianna Rairigh represented AlphaUSA, Tony Kales played for Financial and Portfolio Advisors, and Drew Witte played for Cole, Newton, Duran.

This team was shaping up to be a darn good team. But the Red Wings with Nick Libett coaching, Ed Mio in goal, and skaters like Dennis Hextall, Mickey Redmond, Darren McCarty, and John Ogrodnick were just too much for the Livonia All Stars to handle.

Heck the Red Wings brought along Jay Adams a former WWE wrestler.

The final score was Red Wings 11, All-stars 7.

But that did not stop Clerk Susan Nash, Councilmembers Laura Toy, and Rob Donovic from smiling and expressing how much fun this all was. Heck, Councilman Jim Jolly had been enlisted to serve as bench coach for the All-Stars.

McCullough had his dream come true. 350 fans were in the stands.$10,000 was donated to Livonia Kids and Families, he played with his brother Ryan and McCullough scored two goals.

(Pictured here is the typewriter with WWE wrestler Jay Adams at the after party hosted by the Wintergarden)

And the fun continued with most of the Red Wings traveling over to the Wintergarden.

Veronica Cruz of Livonia Kids and Families made it a point to get as many autographs as possible. She is a huge Red Wing fan.

Bill Wild and his wife shared some time with long-time Red Wing friends.

Brandon McCullough was in seventh heaven. Just could not stop talking about the impact one program, could make on a community.

He was justifiably proud of the day and the opportunity 19 skaters had to be on the same ice as these Red Wings.

"Watching the smiles on the faces of young family members was very special. This was a good day."

Agreed.

Heck, the typewriter even got into the act by serving as announcer. Was so bad they sent Rob Donovic to serve as the spoter. What a team.

(Pictured here is Darren McCarty smiling at a youngster enthralled with the skaters. Just could not get enough of watching.)

LSO raffles off

Warwick Star Bass Guitar

The Livonia Symphony Orchestra is working hard to bring the beautiful symphonic music for which we are known back to the Livonia community and surrounding areas. As we organize and prepare, we have been gifted with an incredible bass guitar package and we are excited to hold our 2nd Annual Raffle.

For 2021, we have an $8000 package including a Warwick Star Bass Guitar, Mesa Boogie Amplifier, Gallien Krueger Bass Speaker Cabinet and more. The drawing will be held December 29, 2021 (Mich. License #R61503); tickets are $50 each and there are only 500 tickets to sell. Proceeds from this raffle will benefit the Livonia Symphony Orchestra and allow us to continue to bring the love of music to Livonia and the surrounding areas.

Thank you for your support. Pick up your ticket(s) today by calling 734.421.1111 or stop by the Livonia Recreation Center or Livonia Chamber of Commerce. Tickets will not be sold online.

100% of the sales of the raffle tickets will go to help in the mission of the Livonia Symphony Orchestra is to:

Serve the people of Livonia and the surround communities with musical enrichment

Provide musical educational experiences for our local youth, and

Provide professional growth opportunities for musicians to enhance their artistic talents

The Livonia Symphony Society thanks our community for all their support the past 48 Years. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3), tax-exempt Michigan corporation and has been a musical force in Southeast Michigan for 48 years.

The Symphony is currently under the Music Direction of Maestro Volodymyr Shesiuk and performs full concerts and a variety of special events throughout the year. For more details about the raffle and other events, go to our website: livoniasymphony.org.

Fun at Anastasia & Katie's

Bring your pumpkin to Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop between October 12th and 16th. Judging will take place October 19th thru 30th.

Small town. Big heart.

Livonia comes together for a spaghetti dinner

Tickets can be purchased from any Livonia Rotarian, FridayMusings or Cole, Newton & Duran, CPAs, CND Financial, 33762 Schoolcraft Rd., 2nd Floor, Livonia.

Click on this image to purchase your tickets online.

$12 adults $5 children up to 12

Continuing the discussion on a Livonia non-discrimination ordinance.

(Part 4 in the series)

What other municipalities have non-discrimination ordinances?

Nearly 60 other communities in Michigan already have non-discrimination ordinances. These municipalities come from every corner of the State and include many neighboring communities like Westland, Canton, Dearborn Heights, and Farmington Hills.

The full list is included below: ▪ City of Adrian ▪ City of Albion ▪ City of Ann Arbor ▪ City of Battle Creek ▪ City of Bay City ▪ City of Buchanan ▪ City of Cadillac ▪ City of Chelsea ▪ City of Dearborn Heights ▪ City of Detroit ▪ City of East Grand Rapids ▪ City of East Lansing ▪ City of Farmington Hills ▪ City of Fenton ▪ City of Ferndale ▪ City of Grand Ledge ▪ City of Grand Rapids ▪ City of Grandville ▪ City of Hazel Park ▪ City of Holland ▪ City of Howell ▪ City of Huntington Woods ▪ City of Kalamazoo ▪ City of Jackson ▪ City of Kalamazoo ▪ City of Lansing ▪ City of Linden ▪ City of Marquette ▪ City of Mt. Pleasant ▪ City of Muskegon ▪ City of Novi ▪ City of Pleasant Ridge ▪ City of Portage ▪ City of Royal Oak ▪ City of Saginaw ▪ City of Saline ▪ City of Saugatuck ▪ City of Southfield ▪ City of St. Joseph ▪ City of Trenton ▪ City of Traverse City ▪ City of Wayland ▪ City of Westland ▪ City of Ypsilanti ▪ Canton Township ▪ Delhi Township ▪ Delta Charter Township ▪ Kalamazoo Township ▪ Lathrup Village ▪ Lake Orion Village ▪ Meridian Township ▪ Oshtemo Township ▪ Saugatuck Township ▪ Union Township ▪ Village of Douglas

How was the non-discrimination ordinance crafted?

The City of Livonia Human Relations Commission and Livonia Law Department spent more than a year studying Livonia’s current ordinances regarding non-discrimination. In their view, the current ordinance does not adequately provide Livonia residents the protections they deserve nor does it reflect our community’s values. They studied how these ordinances were implemented in other communities. They connected with community leaders and subject-area experts to understand all aspects of the ordinances.

Are all instances of discriminatory behavior and speech in violation of this ordinance? No. The First Amendment provides broad, important protections for behavior and speech, regardless of how intolerant or vile it may be. This ordinance can only be enforced against discriminatory speech and behavior that has an impact in violating someone else’s rights: their right to public accommodation, access to public services, housing or employment. In addition, the speech or behavior must be in part or wholly on the basis of an individual’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national or sectional origin, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation or marital status.

What is changed from Livonia’s existing non-discrimination ordinances?

No aspects of Livonia’s existing non-discrimination ordinance are eliminated. Instead, existing protections are expanded and streamlined. Livonia’s two ordinances create inconsistencies, with some protected classes being offered some protections in certain circumstances. The new ordinance standardizes these protections while maintaining other aspects of existing ordinances, such as the provision that gas station attendants, as available, provide assistance to people with physical limitations. Another addition to existing ordinances is the requirement of non-discrimination language to be included in all City contracts with outside service providers and contractors. Currently, the ordinance requires contractors to sign an agreement saying they will not discriminate in hiring based on physical limitations. The new ordinance expands that language to include protections against discrimination against all protected classes.

Does this ordinance provide protection for free expression and religious freedom?

This ordinance includes a specific reference that it shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with the First and 14th Amendments, specifically regarding freedom of speech and free exercise of religion. Not every non-discrimination ordinance identifies these freedoms directly as Livonia’s proposal does.

How is Livonia’s proposed ordinance different from that in other cities?

Livonia’s proposed ordinance is largely in alignment with non-discrimination ordinances as they exist in other communities. In addition to clearly citing the First and 14th Amendments, Livonia’s proposal is also unique in its inclusion of existing non-discrimination ordinance language and in its complaint investigation process. This process is similar to what exists in other communities, but not all ordinances vest the power of initial investigation with a City Attorney. Some communities use a board of residents like a Human Relations Commission or other groups. However, larger cities have typically assigned these responsibilities to their duly sworn City Attorney.