Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 10/28/2022

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FridayMusings Friday, October 28, 2022 Helping define Livonia Quality of Life

Rotary knows how to gather the community for fun and to raise levels of consciousness on the need to eradicate polio

The 4th Annual Livonia Rotary Clubs Community Spaghetti Dinner with a goal to help eradicate polio worldwide was the biggest and the best yet. There was Rotary Governor Traci Sincock on hand to thank the clubs and attendees. City officials Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan, Councilwoman Laura Toy, Clerk Susan Nash, State Representative Laurie Pohutsky, and Livonia School Trustee Liz Jarvis.

Dozens of Rotary members along with spouses had worked since mid-morning to prepare the two spaghetti sauces, marinara, and meat. the servers report that the meat sauce was selected ten to one over the marinara. Deanna Gaffney was caught strirring and adding secret ingredients to the meat sauce. They worked all day to set up the room and to the delight of this typewriter prepare the desserts. Oh so many to choose from.

As this was the birthday of the bodyguard and seeing that she is Italian I promised her a great Italian dinner at a relaxing venue. So what better birthday present than the Rotary Community Dinner? Steve King was on hand and led the diners in singing Happy Birthday.

Even had a special cake for the bodyguard with the slogan on the side saying "I guard the typewriter. Thanks, Luca Pastry for the cake.

Jobs for everyone. Rotarian Bill Fried took tickets, and Rotary AM President Tammy Bonifield washed dishes. Rotary Noon President Doug Moore serving up the meat sauce. A former Northville Councilwoman and Rotary AM member Nancy Darga shared her story of growing up with polio and her experiences as a child. Rotary Interact students greeted guests and helped clear tables.

Laurie Pohutsky rolled up her sleeves and helped cut and distribute the desserts. It was great to see families on hand including Carrie Budzinski with her two children. And boy did they enjoy the chocolate chip cookies.

Former President of Schoolcraft College Dick McDowell, Noon Rotarian, shared a table with Library Commissioner Dave Parr.

Bill Craig came early and stayed late. Couldn't tell how many plates of spaghetti he had but he seemed to have some fun sitting with Nancy Darga, Traci Sincock,

Kate Shishkovsky, President of the Livonia Democratic Club, and Mike Ladwig, past President of the Rotary AM club.

This was a great partnership between the two Rotary Clubs creating a fun evening breaking bread with friends and neighbors, new and old.

The Livonia Civic Chorus filled a table. Art Cole, past President of the Rotary Noon Club, saw to it that Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs once again filled a table from his community-minded company.

Livonia is a giving hometown community as Musings Readers donate for Engineering Lab

Deborah Kummer/teacher, Dan MacIver/Financial & Portfolio Advisors, the typewriter, Veronica Cruz/AlphaUSA, Melissa Carruth/Assistant Superintendent, Councilman Brandon McCullough, Todd Noonan/Principal

This typewriter asked readers to join AlphaUSA, Masco, and Livonia Kids & Families in supplementing the equipment they have donated and the students already working and learning at the Nick Strumbus workstations.

On Thursday the typewriter met up with Deb Kummer, Todd Noonan, and Melissa Carruth to present $1,100 from readers of FridayMusings. Joining us were Councilman Brandon McCullough, Veronica Cruz, and Dan MacIver.

McCullough believes that "programs like the Clarenceville Engineering Lab underscores the important role Education plays in attracting young families to Livonia, preparing our students for the working world after graduation.

"We are fortunate that Masco, AlphaUSA, and Livonia Kids & Families is partnering to make this state-of-the-art program available. Fortunate also that committed teachers like Deb Kummer are determined to provide the instruction necessary to prepare our students.

"FridayMusings is to be thanked for engaging readers to provide funding for supplies to go with the awesome equipment provided by these community partners."

12 readers stepped up with donations totaling $1,100 in a matter of three days. Thank you:

$50 AH, $50 GS, $20 KV

$50 KB, $50 DB, $30 LP

$50 DB, $25 LB, $25 AB

$150 BC $100 Kiwanis

One Anonymous Community Benefactor matched the first $500 collected with a donation of $500 bringing the total to $1,100.

Swimmers partner with

Coach's Corner

to raise funds and have a good dinner

Next week TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST, let Coach's Corner make you dinner. Help Burton Hollow Swim Club fundraise for next summer's swim team LEAGUE MEET. Every dollar goes towards the team hosting all 5 teams for the culminating meet of the summer!! Tell your friends, neighbors, and anyone willing to help and stop on in!!!

Maureen Miller Brosnan Livonia Mayor during the day, Ghostbuster at night.

Just can't get enough of the Rotary Community

Spaghetti dinner

Liz and Blake Jarvis enjoying a night out supporting Rotary and enjoying spaghetti.

Nothing beats children enjoying a neighborhood gathering with their mother.

In this case Carrie Budzinski.

Iowa graduate working on her PH.D at the University of Michigan stopped by to help Laurie Pohutsky with the dessert station.

The typewriter promised the bodyguard a nice Italian dinner. I threw in a Luca Pastry triple chocolate birthday cake signifying her real age, 21. And the brand, "I protect the typewriter" written on the side.

Mail Address

19514 Livonia 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

Majority of Council appear poised to defeat the proposed Civil Rights

Non-Discrimination Ordinance

At the October 26, 2022 City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting, one of the agenda items was the proposed Civil Rights Non-Discrimination Ordinance.

The room was full as many spoke opposing the ordinance, which is currently in effect in over 60 communities in Michigan.

State Representative Laurie Pohutsky shared her thoughts on the meeting and the NDO in a posting on her Facebook page:

"With this year's Michigan Supreme Court opinion in Rouch World, this (Livonia) NDO is essentially creating a local option to make it simpler and less expensive to handle cases of discrimination rather than having to navigate state or federal systems. To put it simply, this helps small businesses because it provides them with a local avenue to address what is already a state and federal policy. By not adopting an NDO, Livonia is leaving businesses only more expensive and complicated options.

"Livonia's discrimination ordinance hasn't been updated since 1982. The unwillingness of some council members to update an ordinance that hasn't been examined since before I was born does not help to make the case that Livonia is a welcoming community. In fact, it's out of step with the majority of what our community wants.

"To hear a council member tell residents that if they don't like the way Livonia is "then they should leave" represents a failure by the city's elected government and a total unwillingness to continue moving Livonia forward. It's the antithesis of the welcoming community.

"It's also worth noting that some of those folks WILL leave, and the city will be worse off for it.

"It is unacceptable and I stand with our community members who are fighting to get this NDO passed as it is. I also want to thank Councilman McCullough for doing the difficult but right thing consistently on this issue. As a colleague and a resident, I'm grateful for him.

"Nights like last night can be discouraging, but it's imperative that we keep going. It's also crucial that when someone shows us who they are, we believe them. Many people showed us last night."

One particularly articulate presentation was made by PFLAG Livonia board member, Debbie Yates, who read the following statement on behalf of PFLAG Livonia.

"PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.

"The PFLAG vision is an equitable, inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved.

"We know from the personal and sometimes devastating stories shared in our group, we still have a lot of work to do to make Livonia the safe and empowering world envisioned by PFLAG.

"The proposed non-discrimination ordinance would be a step in the right direction.

"The July ruling of the Michigan Supreme Court regarding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act provided much needed clarity about the interpretation of language surrounding the protection of people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, a local ordinance could provide a more efficient and cost-effective process for addressing instances of discrimination in our city.

"Additionally, passing the non-discrimination ordinance would demonstrate that the city government stands firmly against the discrimination of anyone in Livonia, but especially the previously unprotected and vulnerable LGBTQ+ community."

At the end of the meeting, Councilman Scott Morgan made a motion to deny the resolution, in effect killing any changes in the Livonia NDO.

Councilman Brandon McCullough made a motion to approve the resolution, with a request to have the legal department add language that clearly states the consequence for filing a false claim of discrimination.

From all appearances, the motion to deny the resolution, if a vote were held this week would be defeated 5-2 with only Jim Jolly and Brandon McCullough supporting the passage.