Cinematic Art expands in Livonia with the introduction of Fathom Events
at the Phoenix Theatre
Manon - The Met Opera Live in HD
October 30 - 1:00pm (Encore)
October 30 - 6:30pm (Encore)
Spirited Away - Studio Ghibli Fest 2019
October 27 - 12:55pm (DUB)
October 28 - 7:00pm (SUB)
Raymonda - The Bolshoi Ballet
October 27 - 12:55pm
Faustina: Love and Mercy
October 28 - 7:00pm
LUZIA - Cirque de Soleil
October 29 - 7:00pm
Click on this image for all movie times
|
|
Vote
November 5
City of Livonia
Mayoral Race
Vote for one candidate in November
Endorsements listed are provided to FridayMusings
by the candidate or their committee
Maureen Miller Brosnan
FridayMusings
Councilman Jim Jolly,
Livonia Police Officers Association
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Livonia Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
Livonia Firefighters Local 1164
Westland Mayor Bill Wild
Congresswoman Haley Stevens
State Senator Dayna Polehanki
County Executive Warren Evans
County Sheriff Benny Napoleon
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
AFSCME, UAW, Teamsters Local 299
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters,
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors
Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council
Dan Centers, Livonia School Board Trustee,
Karen Bradford, Livonia School Board Trustee
Tim Klisz, Zoning Board of Appeals Member
Gretchen Alaniz, Schoolcraft College Trustee
Brian Broderick, Schoolcraft College Board Chair
Schoolcraft College Treasurer Terry Gilligan
Janice Centers, Zoning Board of Appeals Member
Citizens Roads Advisory Committee Member Brett Gierak
Former Livonia City Council Members Mike McGee,
Joe Taylor, and Dale Jurcisin
https://www.maureenformayor.com/
Laura Toy
Mayor Dennis Wright ,
Former Mayors Jack Kirksey, Jack Engebretson
Councilwomen Kathleen McIntyre and Cathy White
Councilmen Brian Meakin, Brandon Kritzman
Bruce Tenniswood
Right to Life of Michigan
City of Livonia Council Race
Vote for up to four candidates in November
Endorsements listed are provided to FridayMusings
by the candidate or their committee
Scott Bahr
Mayors Dennis Wright, Jack Engebretson, Jack Kirksey
Council members Laura Toy, Jim Jolly
Brandon Kritzman, Kathleen McIntyre, Cathy White
Brian Meakin
Former Council members Jim McCann, Joe Taylor
John Pastor, Treasurer Lynda Scheel
Commissioner Terry Marecki
Livonia Public School Trustees Mark Johnson
Colleen Burton, Karen Bradford, Crystal Frank
Former LPS Superintendent Randy Liepa
Former Representatives John Walsh, Laura Cox
Former Senator Patrick Colbeck
Former Fire Chief Shadd Whitehead
Livonia Firefighters Union 1164
Schoolcraft Trustee Dillon Breen
ZBA Members Chris Boloven, Joel Turbiak,
Jim Baringhaus
Planning Commissioners Sam Caramagno
Carol Smiley
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors
Right to Life of Michigan
Gregory Coppola
Councilmembers Laura Toy,
Brian Meakin,
Brandon M. Kritzman, Kathleen McIntyre
County Commissioner Terry Marecki
Former Councilmen
John Walsh and
John Pastor
Jim McCann and Joe Laura
Zoning Board of Appeals Jim Baringhaus and Tim Kliz
Schoolcraft Trustee Dillon Breen
Right to Life of Michigan
James Davis Jr.
FridayMusings
Robert Donovic
Bruce Tenniswood
Livonia Police Officers Association
Livonia Fire Fighters Local 1164
Police
Officers Association of Michigan
Park Commissioner Paul Condon
Schoolcraft Trustees Gretchen Alaniz, Dillon Breen,
Mayor Dennis Wright,
Councilwoman Laura Toy, Councilman Brian Meakin,
Former Livonia School Trustee Steve King
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors,
County Commissioner Diane Webb,
State Representative Jewell Jones,
Right to Life of Michigan
Brian Duggan
Laura Toy, Joe Laura, Jim McCann
Livonia Police Officers Association
B
randon McCullough
FridayMusings
Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors
Livonia Police Officers Association
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Livonia Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
Livonia Firefighters Local 1164
Mayor Dennis Wright,
Wayne County Commissioners Glenn Anderson & Diane Webb
Former City Councilwoman Maureen Miller Brosnan
Councilmen Jim Jolly, Brandon Kritzman,
Great Detroit Building & Construction Trades Council,
Sheet Metal Workers' Local 80,
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers,
Eileen McDonnell
FridayMusiings
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
former Livonia City Council member Joe Laura,
Kathleen McIntyre
FridayMusings
Mayor Dennis Wright,
Former Mayors Jack Kirksey, Jack Engebretson,
John Grzebik, Greenleaf Commission,
Zoning Board of Appeals Tim Klisz and
Jim Baringhaus
Arts Commissioner Lindsay Spence
Recreation Commissioner Katie Jolly
Livonia Police Officers Association
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Livonia Firefighters Local 1164
Treasurer Lynda Scheel,
Council members Laura Toy, Jim Jolly,Brian Meakin,
Cathy White, Brandon Kritzman
Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki,
Schoolcraft Trustee Gretchen Alaniz
|
SEEDLINGS BRAILLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
Click on this image to instantly be transported to the Seedlings Braille Books for Children bid site. Look over the items now and get ready for when the bidding starts
November 1st.
FOUR DAYS REMAINING BEFORE THIS
LINK IS OPEN FOR BIDDING.
|
|
October in Livonia
Livonia Arts Commission's annual Fine Arts Exhibition is being held the entire month of October in the Fine Arts Gallery in the Bennett Civic Center Library.
October 1 - 30
Wilson Barn Pumpkin Fest Every day in October
October 19 - 31
Pumpkin Place fundraiser for Livonia Cares
October 28 @ 5:30
Trunk or Treat @ Civic Center Plaza
October 28 @ 6:00
Madonna University, Fran Building - Suchyta Hall
October 28 @ 5:00 - 7:00
Flemings support for the ARC
People with Disabilities
tickets @ TheARCNW.org
October 30 @ 12:00 - 1:30
Livonia Education Foundation Luncheon
November in Livonia
November 1 @8:00, 2 @8:00, 3 @2:00
November 8 @8:00, 9 @8:00, 10 @2:00
Barefoot Productions
November 2 @ 4:30 @ 8:00
Tail Waggers @ Woodland Lanes
November 2
November 2
14th Annual Healthy Livonia Turkey Trot
Bicentennial Park
November 5 @ 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Livonia General Election
November 5 @ noon - 3:00
Madonna University Music Department
November 7
Painting with a Twist
benefiting the Ian Clemens Foundation
November 8 @ 7:30
November 9 @ 7:30
November 10 @ 2:00
Women in War
Livonia Community Theatre
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
November 9 @ 9:30
Rick Austin Memorial 5 K Run/Walk
November 10 @ 10:30
November 16 @ 10:00 - 3:00
Rotary Club invites you to Be a Cancer Kicker
@ Burn Fitness - Livonia
November 23 @ 2:00 - 4:00
Blessings in a Backpack Bowling Outing
November 23 @ 9:00 - 3:00
Historic Greenmead Treasures from Grandma's Attic
December in Livonia
December 7
Trumbell Film Forum
Monroe Phoenix Theatre
December 7
Livonia Symphony Orchestra
Magical Fantasies
Clarenceville High School
Louis Schmidt Auditorium
December 8 @ 4:00
City of Livonia Christmas Parade
December 15 @ 3:00
|
|
 |
|
FridayMusings update:
Sale of Hines Park property -- Wilcox and Newburgh Mills |
As reported in Friday's Musings the sale of Wilcox and Newburgh Mills is moving on a fast track toward approval. Here is an update on what is happening to the sale of Hines Park property and a reaction from two of our readers, Councilman Jim Jolly and Historical Commissioner Betsy Calhoun:
 Save Hines Park issued the following statement: The Wayne County Commission has received offers on both the Wilcox and Newburgh Mills properties. You can view the Purchase Agreements here . Please review them and contact your commissioner and voice your concerns.
The sale of these properties will come up for a vote by the Commission in late November or early December. We will inform you when we have the date for the vote, and any actions we plan in protest. If you haven't already, please write to your commissioner to urge a NO vote on the sale of our parkland, and urge the county to pursue a sensible public/private partnership to restore these historic mills while retaining public ownership of our parkland.
 Livonia City Councilman Jim Jolly responded to Friday's Musings: N
othing has been decided in regards to the city's authority over the Newburgh Mill. Wayne County is free to sell the property, but they or new owners will need city approval for zoning changes and site plan approvals. Such changes will require
going through planning commission and city council and will be public opportunities to comment. This is where the city can exercise our authority. I am not aware of any items currently before any city commissions, boards, or the council regarding this matter.
I have discussed with Bill Craig in particular that there are development options that I would be interested in that would revitalize and utilize the current structure and add value to the park system. Absent these requirements I will not be supporting any
changes.
Betsy Calhoun, Livonia Historic Preservation Commission: According to City ordinance the Historic Preservation Commission has jurisdiction over any exterior changes to the building, as per the Secretary of the Interior standards (so the buyer must restore it).
|
FridayMusings update:
LPOA President Scott Morgan Releases Letter to
Livonia Residents regarding the Mayoral Election
|
|
As the Livonia city elections move quickly toward the finish line it is apparent that public safety specifically the retention and recruitment in the police and fire department is shaping up to be a major if not the major issue that will determine the outcome. Scott Morgan, President of the LPOA and a Livonia resident, provided Musings a letter specifically addressing that issue:
Dear Livonia resident,
 After nearly 25 years of serving our community and living in our fine city, I have witnessed many changes at our Police Department. Due to an economic downturn, reduction in revenue sharing from Lansing, along with other fiscal challenges, our city's administration asked our citizen's to help fund public safety. In 2011, our citizens overwhelmingly passed the public safety millage to fully staff our police department and to ensure there would be no reductions in police services. I, along with my fellow police officers appreciate your support.
Since 2011, our administrative staff has been working hard to hire qualified applicants to fill our ranks as was promised when the Public Safety Millage was passed. However, Police Departments throughout the nation have experienced a decline in qualified applicants. This nationwide problem is due to a variety of reasons, but here in Livonia we have identified our recruiting and retention problems.
Livonia has become a training ground for law enforcement officers in southeast Michigan. Livonia Police Department has earned a reputation as being the best police department in our state, certainly the region. The training and preparation of our new officers is second to none. However, we have witnessed an exodus to other communities like we haven't seen before. Officers resigning from our police department to work in Dearborn Heights, Allen Park, Garden City, Redford Twp, Northville Twp and more. Each time an officer resigns to take employment at another community, we lose thousands of dollars in training and salary that was invested into that employee. Additionally, the impact to morale is  significant. The reason that these officers leave our police department is that the city administration does not offer a competitive compensation package.
As of 10/22/2019 we are currently understaffed by 26 Police Officers. We also have more pending retirements and there are current Officers being vetted for hire at other police departments. Our Department staffing levels have reached critical levels.
The city's administration, including Council President Laura Toy has been aware of the problem for years. She is aware of the issue and has done nothing except talk in circles and dazzle us with her political rhetoric downplaying the crisis. Still to this date nothing has been done and we are still losing officers.
Both Laura Toy and Maureen Brosnan asked for our endorsement. When interviewed, Laura Toy could not offer a plan that contained any specifics on how to overcome our crisis. It was political rhetoric and tongue twisting back talk.
To the contrary of Laura Toy, Maureen Brosnan had a firm grasp of our crisis, she has a plan and once elected to Mayor, Maureen Brosnan is ready to implement a plan to get Livonia back on track and re-gain our lost footing and fully staff our police department.
This election is crucial to the well being of our Police department and our community. We need a Mayor who will tackle the problem head on and make public safety a TOP priority. This is only one of many reasons the Livonia Police Officers
Association has chosen to support Maureen Brosnan for Mayor. It's time to get to business and fix our city's problems and not just kick the can down the road.
Maureen Brosnan has a plan!
I / we the Livonia Police Officers Association are asking for your support once again! The candidate we know that can make a difference is MAUREEN BROSNAN. This is going to be a close election, so please get out and vote for Maureen Brosnan on November 5th. Your vote is crucial in ensuring a Mayor is elected that will make Public Safety a TOP priority."
Scott Morgan
President, Livonia Police Officers Association
|
FridayMusings Update:
Council candidates speak out against negative advertising |
Over the weekend a flyer was mailed to homes across Livonia saying that 4 candidates on the ballot in  November will "turn Livonia into San Francisco", turn Livonia into a Sanctuary City, allow illegals to get drivers licenses, fly the pride flag over city hall. Oh yes and more. In addition on the same mailer there were five candidates endorsed for election to Mayor and city council.
This mailer was sent from 32068 Margaret Court, Warren Michigan 48093. Reaction was swift with candidates reacting to the campaign literature sent from Warren paid for by Macomb Businesses United and the negative tone and outright lies exhibited on the mailer. This is the home pictured on redfin in Warren as the address for the flyer that wants to "keep our kids safe" in Livonia.
Jim Davis, candidate for Livonia City Council: I feel privileged and honored to be an American and take part in our representative government by offering for your review, not any special interest group, but you! my knowledge, skills, experience, and education for your consideration to be a citizen representative on our City Council. I appreciate all the strong support I received in the primary, and after weeks of walking the neighborhoods, I feel this momentum
building for a strong finish
in the general election on
November 5
th
!
As the very long City Council campaign draws to a close, I have an observation and comment to make on the process we call the election cycle. I am disappointed, and maybe you are feeling the same, that our Livonia mail boxes have fallen victim to divisive, special interest, negative messages pandering to the extreme hate that permeates and pervades our public discourse currently surrounding government at the state and national level. This base desperation for attention tries to garner causal support in the form of war mongering that proffers "divide and conquer" tactics that have no place in our responsible, accountable, issue driven local LIVONIA government. We all should have the same goal of continuing the success and excellence in management that
brings us together in the spirit and best form of representative government that we have come to expect as the hallmark stamp and brand of Livonia
. Let's rise above the downward pressure for the negative and look at each candidate for the positivity and the skills you would want them to bring to the council table as your representative!
Thank you so much for you time and consideration over the past five months and I ask for your continued support and for your vote for City Council on November 5
th
!!
 Brandon McCullough, candidate for Livonia City Council: It's disappointing that faceless groups have popped up in our City and are using dirty politics to try stop us from doing what's best
for Livonia residents. It reeks of desperation and will not deter me from my goal of ensuring that Livonia remains the premiere destination suburb in Metro Detroit.
I made the decision to run for Livonia City Council because this has been and always will be my home, and I want my home to continue to succeed. When I'm asked where my grit and drive come from the answer is simple...Livonia! There is no better place to live and raise a family than right here! So, as Election Day approaches on Nov. 5 I hope you will join me in supporting Livonia by voting MCCULLOUGH (Built by Livonia, for Livonia).
I am appalled and disappointed in this type of dirty politics. This has no place in our great city. I am confident that Livonia will make that sentiment felt on 11/5.
The above two letters were sent to FridayMusings for publication. The following letters were posted on facebook and are being shared so our readers can see what candidates are saying
publicly
about the negative flyers being sent from this Macomb address endorsing 5 Livonia candidates while castigating 4 other Livonia candidates:
 Kathleen McIntyre, candidate for re-election for Livonia City Council: A friend texted me a picture of the "Macomb Business United" piece of crap. I was completely taken aback and very very unhappy. I had no involvement in the piece nor any knowledge of it. I had never even heard of "Macomb United Businesses" (or whatever their name is.) I campaign like I govern - always positive and always non partisan.
We need to change campaign laws to prohibit ANY campaigning (mailers, TV and Social Media ads, etc) by unaffiliated PACs. Everything needs to have the name of a candidate, party or organization (like a union or trade association) so people know who is behind it.
Eileen McDonnell, candidate for re-election for Livonia City Council: I have not seen piece yet but
my husband told me about it. We do have a good field of candidates but I think
that this election is a precursor for next year. We will have to see what happens on the 5th. The good thing is that the absentee ballots have been out and a lot have been returned.
Scott Bahr, candidate for re-election for Livonia City Council: Someone sent me a picture of apiece of campaign literature sent by an unidentified group that attacks several of my opponents and endorses some candidates, including me. While I am grateful for anyone's support, I had nothing to do with the creation of this piece, and its tactic is not consistent with how I conduct myself or my campaign. Any literature that has my approval is clearly identified as coming from my campaign.
FridayMusings has not found any comments posted on campaign related sites, in response to other postings, or submitted comments on the negative flyer received over the weekend:
Greg Coppola, candidate for Livonia City Council
Rob Donovic, candidate for Livonia City Council
Brian Duggan. candidate for Livonia City Council
|
|
Do you have your tickets yet for a Sentimental Journey?
|
Click on the image for information and tickets:
|
|
Madonna University Repertory Theatre Presents
Neil Simon's The Star-Spangled Girl
|
 The premiere mainstage season for the Madonna University Repertory Theatre kicks off Friday, Nov. 1, with Neil Simon's comedy The Star-Spangled Girl.
The show involves the perfect All-American girl. When she moves in next door to two college buddies writing a protest magazine, sparks are sure to fly. Add romantic attraction to the mix - that somehow becomes a lover's quadrangle - and the resulting fireworks rival any Fourth of July celebration.
Madonna University's Repertory Theatre performers are giving more than a stellar performance. They also are giving back to the community through their support of The Bride's Project (TBP), a non-profit bridal salon in Ann Arbor. Theatre patrons are encouraged to donate their five-year-old or younger wedding gowns to TBP when they attend The Star-Spangled Girl. Money raised by the sale of the gowns supports families touched by cancer. The TBP mission is to offer sustainable funding to the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor, and to offer brides a socially-conscious, eco- and budget-friendly option to purchase a wedding dress.
Liberal arts education, career preparation and service-learning have been the hallmarks of a
Madonna University
education for more than 80 years. In addition to the beautiful main campus, conveniently located at I-96 and Levan Road in Livonia, Madonna offers academic programs in Gaylord, Macomb, and online in China, Haiti and the United Arab Emirates. Michigan's most affordable, independent, Catholic, liberal arts university, Madonna offers more than 100 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs in the colleges of arts and humanities, natural and social sciences, education, and nursing and health, as well as the School of Business.
|
| Painting with a Twist benefiting the Ian Clemens Foundation |
  Please Join The Ian Clemens Foundation
for the 7th Annual Painting with a Purpose Event Thursday, November 7th, 2019 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Painting with A Twist 33033 Grand River Avenue, Farmington
Cost $45 per person (16+ years old). 60% of the proceeds are donated back to the Ian Clemens Foundation.
Light Refreshments will be served. BYOB
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 96 PEOPLE - T
HIS EVENT SELLS OUT EVERY YEAR SO
REGISTER EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT.
REGISTER ONLINE BY CLICKING
HERE.
REGISTER BY PHONE (248) 476-7928
The painting on the right above is the picture to be painted this year.
|
| If you love motion pictures then you have gotta love the Film Forum |
Please join the typewriter at the Douglas Trumbull Film Forum at Phoenix Theatres Monroe on Star Trek The Motion Picture's 40th Anniversary this December 7th. Turnbull is an American film director, special effects supervisor, and inventor. He contributed to, or was responsible for, the special photographic effects of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner and The Tree of Life, and directed the movies Silent Running and Brainstorm.
The typewriter was hooked with the mention of Blade Runner. Add to it 2001: Space Odyssey and I am there. Maybe early with popcorn and iced tea. I am all about it.
   
|
With temperatures dropping it is time to get ready with your
favorite recipe for the January Chili Cook-off |
|
Have you purchased your raffle ticket yet?
Only 300 tickets available!!
|
| Richard & Geraldine Joyner scholarship for two students either at or planning on attending Schoolcraft College |
Applications for the Richard & Geraldine Joyner Scholarship for those attending or planning to attend Schoolcraft College are now available.
Simply drop an email to [email protected] and an application will immediately be forwarded to you.
In January Bill and Bob Joyner will announce the two winners of the Richard & Geraldine Joyner Scholarship. Each for $600. Applications are due on December 1st, awarded on January 1st.
|
|
|
