October 15, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia
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City Council needs to approve a
non-discrimination ordinance
FridayMusings has dedicated the last four issues to introducing and answering questions regarding the proposed non-discrimination ordinance. Now it is time to stand up, take a position and challenge our elected officials to pass this ordinance.
The proposed non-discrimination ordinance put forth by Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan and supported by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, Human Relations Commission Chair Rich Glover, Acting Police Chief Tom Goralski, Dr. Michael Grandillo, President of Madonna University, Jatinder-Bir Sandu, CEO, and Chairman of NYX, LLC, PFLAG Livonia, Keith Allman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Masco, should be discussed in public and passed by a unanimous vote of the Livonia City Council.
With this non-discrimination ordinance, people would have a reasonable, local outlet to receive true protection. Likewise, our employers would be ensured a fair and accessible process to resolve any issue. Cutting the red tape and addressing issues at a local level is better for all parties involved.
The debate around the non-discrimination ordinance should be in public at a council meeting and our council needs to stop the discussion that is apparently taking place in private, which to this observer seems to be an attempt to delay, change and water down any proposed ordinance. The hesitation and desire to put into a committee will only delay.
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There are some who choose to hide behind arguments about what they perceive as onerous to small businesses because they don't want to confront the real objections they have to the inclusivity of this ordinance or are seeking to send a message to a certain group of voters.
Right now it appears that there are not 4 votes to approve this ordinance amendment. Some want this election to provide the 4th vote needed to move ahead and others to provide the 4th vote so it does not go anywhere. Regardless, it will take into the new year for the ordinance to be proposed and go through the public hearings and two readings for approval.
It is time to start that process.
We applaud candidates Dan Centers, Carrie Budzinski, and Ken Overwater along with incumbent Jim Jolly for publically speaking out in support of the non-discrimination ordinance. Jim Jolly says that "all people should be treated equally and respected." See his complete statement below. Rob Donovic and Laura Toy both want to study the issue and have issued statements on a non-discrimination ordinance stating their positions at this time.
FridayMusings strongly supports the non-discrimination ordinance so that current and future generations can live and thrive in a better, safer, and more inclusive Livonia. The City Council should move expeditiously in approving the ordinance.
We agree with the Mayor who says that “The foundation of any community is a sense of belonging, With the adoption of this ordinance, all Livonia residents and visitors could be sure our City government is unequivocally stating: you belong here.”
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Another Councilman
adds support to the
non-discrimination ordinance
You may have noticed a lot of conversation surrounding the proposed update to Livonia’s non-discrimination ordinance. I would like to state for the record that I 100% support the passage of this ordinance in its current language. If we water this down any further, we might as well toss it out.
Our non-discrimination ordinances have not been updated since 1982, and we need ordinances that not only reflect our community’s commitment to inclusion but provide our diverse community the protection they deserve.
Now, more than ever, residents and community members are looking for their elected leaders to take action on diversity, equity, and inclusion in meaningful ways, and this proposed ordinance is one example of tangible action the City can take to improve protections for residents in a way that exemplifies our values.
Livonia’s two existing ordinances, related to these issues are out of date. These existing ordinances that deal with non-discrimination were last updated in 1982. As such, they do not reflect the values our community holds today.
Unfortunately, instances of discrimination happen in Livonia. This is tough to swallow, but these stories are real and shine a light on what we should all see as unwelcome behavior in our community. This ordinance puts in place a way of enforcing protections when discriminatory behavior crosses the line into violating someone’s rights by affecting their access to public services, public accommodations, housing, employment, or their enjoyment of civil or political rights.
Finally, if this ordinance is not added to a future Council agenda, I will be offering a resolution to see that it does.
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Senator Polehanki Introduces Bill to
Better Protect School Employees
Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) introduced a bill this week to strengthen the protections of school employees and create tougher penalties for those who harm them.
Under Senate Bill 689, anyone who assaults, batters, wounds, or endangers school staff or school board members acting in their official duties would be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 and a year in jail.
“People who work in our school systems are dedicated to educating and supporting the next generation of scholars, inventors, and leaders, and should not be made to feel unsafe in their work environment,” said Sen. Polehanki, a former teacher and two-time teacher of the year award recipient. “I have always taken school safety and the safety of educators seriously, and this bill would ensure that those who seek to cause them harm will face the consequences of their actions.”
This extreme increase in a backlash against schools is a result of districts implementing COVID-19 safety and prevention measures meant to protect students, teachers, and staff from possible infection and to mitigate the spread of the virus.
“The Michigan Legislature needs to send a clear message that any violence perpetrated against school staff and board members will not be tolerated,” Sen. Polehanki added. “I refuse to accept this type of behavior as a new norm. The threats and harassment simply have to stop before someone gets hurt.”
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Livonia comes together with a community spaghetti dinner
Small city with a big heart
Time to move on to another special Livonia event. The Rotary AM and Rotary Noon Clubs have joined forces to host a community fundraising spaghetti dinner to help eradicate polio.
Tickets can be purchased from any Livonia Rotarian, FridayMusings, Cole, Newton & Duran, CPAs, CND Financial, 33762 Schoolcraft Rd., 2nd Floor, Livonia, or, Click on this image to purchase your tickets online. $12 adults $5 children up to 12.
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The Livonia Community Chorus is Back.
Just in time for the holiday season.
A Live Concert: Welcome to the Holiday.
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Candidate positions on
the non-discrimination ordinance
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Dan Centers
Supports and advocates for passage
Ken Overwater
Supports and advocates for passage
Carrie Budzinski
Supports and advocates for passage
Jim Jolly
Supports and advocates for passage
"In the last few days, I have been asked many times about the proposed Non-Discrimination Ordinance that will come before the Livonia City Council in the near future. This proposed ordinance aims to update and expand civil rights protections from two older ordinances that have not been updated in decades.
"The proposed ordinance would codify values of inclusiveness and clearly communicate that Livonia is a welcoming community for all people while providing an expectation that everyone in Livonia is treated with dignity and respect.
" I have reached out to representatives from some of the 40+ communities in Michigan that have enacted a similar ordinance over the last 10 years and have received zero negative feedback regarding business or personal liberties being infringed by it or even allegation of such.
"Communities that have passed a similar ordinance are wide-ranging geographically and politically including Howell, Farmington Hills, Battle Creek, Birmingham, Royal Oak, and Grand Rapids.
" It is important to note that the ordinance clearly identifies and respects the 1st and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution which protect religious beliefs and free speech.
"As a citizen and lawyer, I have a great appreciation for the Constitution and the rights it enshrines and the equal protection of all people in our democracy. This ordinance is a step in that direction.
"I look forward to discussing this with my colleagues and plan to vote in favor of its passage."
Laura Toy:
Supports more study.
"I have not read through the whole proposal. I’ve been in touch with our attorney to find out exactly some of the verbiage so that we’re not having duplication with other state, federal and county laws and ordinances -it deserves careful study.
"I’m a small business owner as well and I want to consider what’s going in making sure that all people are feeling comfortable in our city and getting their questions answered.
"I don’t think one ordinance is going to solve all that we need to go deeper into some roundtables, discussion groups some unity kinds of events and venues."
Rob Donovic:
Supports more study
"An ndo ordinance amendment proposal has not come before the city council. If it does, I will study it and listen to the discussion and go from there.”
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Seedlings Braille Books to
be featured on CW50
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Debra Bonde getting ready to do a Zoom interview today with CW50 Community Connect host, Lisa Germani.
The show will air Next Saturday (10/23) at 7:00am on CW50 Detroit. Stay tuned to FridayMusings for all the details and which channels to tune to for the interview.
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Fun at Anastasia & Katie's
Bring your pumpkin to Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop this week between October 12th and 16th. Judging will take place October 19th thru 30th.
Stop in for a cup of coffee,maybe a milk shack or a pastry.
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A little bit of this and a little bit of that. So much to enjoy in Livonia |
Trinity House Open
Stage Gang
This is a story about Kandy Fredrick's guitar and her grandmother. She named her guitar after her grandmother, Goldie May, and this is a story about why that was important to her.
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Trinity House Open
Stage Gang
Frank Vail, Battle of New Orleans
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Phoenix Theatre only serves up the best
Get swept away in the stunning Academy Award®-nominated romantic fantasy from director Hayao Miyazaki that is based on the novel of the same name by acclaimed author Diana Wynne Jones. In theaters October 24th, 25th & 28th. Tickets now on sale.
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LCCABL sponsors free brake light repair |
Let's discuss the Purple Gang October 26 |
The Purple Gang ran Detroit during Prohibition, taking over most illegal liquor production and rum-running.
The Gang were few in number, but strong enough to tell even Al Capone to stay out of Michigan. Join in for a discussion at the Bennett Civic Center Library Auditorium on October 26 to learn more.
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