Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 11.01.21

November 1, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia

Your help is needed in support of the

Be Kind Campaign. A campaign in which all of Livonia is the winner.

Be the "I" in Kind! Churchill High School, with students in this collection of pictures, is just one of the schools and organizations supporting this positive campaign in our community!

You can support, too, by purchasing a lawn sign at the UPS Store on Five Mile and Newburgh.

Funds will be used for a major Thank You in December. A thank you to teachers and staff.

This year’s Blessing Bag Project is focused on our schools! Each and every school in both Livonia and Clarenceville districts will be served breakfast and staff will be given gift cards this December, as a way to show appreciation for the challenges they've faced during the pandemic.

The #BeKindLivonia campaign was borne of the success of The Blessing Bag Project, founded by Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church in 2017. Over the last several years, RGPC collaborated with the City of Livonia and the Livonia Police and Fire Departments to deliver blessing bags to thank and appreciate community groups.

If you would like to make a donation to support this year’s Blessing Bag effort, please visit Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church's website. Under the Giving type, choose Blessing Bag Donations LPS/Clarenceville.

Many organizations have come together to share, embrace and support #BeKindLivonia, including the City of Livonia, Livonia Police Department, Livonia Fire Department, Livonia Public Schools, Clarenceville School District, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church (RGPC), St. Mary Mercy Hospital and FridayMusings. Banners have been placed at parks, schools and the hospital. Stop by to take your photo and put on your Facebook page!

Let's Not Shave in November

The Livonia Police Department will be holding a fundraiser for “No Shave November.”

During the month of November, grooming and appearance standards will be relaxed to allow participating male officers to grow a beard or goatee AND participating female officers to wear their hair in a ponytail.

Each participating officer is donating $50. All proceeds will be used to support the Public Safety Foundation and the Cobb family, Livonia residents, whose 11-year-old son is battling a rare form of brain cancer.

Livonia entertainment update and reviews

Two weeks and the typewriter has been enjoying entertainment galore in Livonia.

First is our Art in the Park at the Phoenix Theatre for No Time to Die, which ended Daniel Craig's tenure as Bond in a mostly satisfying way, he dies which eliminates any possibility he will headline the next storyline--this 007 gets a 3 out of 4 typewriter rating. The venue as always gets a 4/4 typewriter rating.

Dune, again at our Art in the Park at the Phoenix Theatre, which was a big influence on George Lucas when he was writing Star Wars combines a fair balance of politics, religion, and technology, and gets a 4/4 typewriter rating.

I have been waiting for this version to come out on the big screen since 2015 when it was announced. I just hope I do not have to wait another six years for part two.

Barefoot Productions, one of Livonia's Best Kept Secrets, located one block west of Farmington on the south side of Five Mile, has been in Livonia for five years since moving from Plymouth. The typewriter decided to have dinner and a show last Friday. Starting out at Zukins Ribs, in the same mall as Barefoot, was an eye-opener with some of the best ribs in quite a while, staff was pleasant, accommodations were pleasant and the food was well priced and well prepared.

Walked down from Zukins past long time and favorite of many, French's Florist, Livonia Locksmith and so delish, and arrived at War of the Worlds 15 minutes before curtains up.

The theatre is small, seating 80 or so, with comfortable seats and good sight lines. For $17 a ticket for seniors it was a steal. The play gets a 3/4 typewriters for the performance and a 4/4 typewriters for venue and exuberance of the performers. It was simply put a good hometown theatre production making for an enjoyable, and this play a thought-provoking presentation.

Meet the Livonia Arts Commission

The Livonia Arts Commission was established in April 1974 and held its first meeting in the office of Mayor Edward McNamara. The first year was devoted largely to identifying cultural resources in the City, establishing working relationships with those resources, and educating the new commissioners in the techniques required to build a fine arts program for a blossoming city.

In 1975 the Commission began presenting a variety of artistic and cultural programs throughout the City. The Michigan Opera Theater and the Oakway Symphony participated in workshops and performances during the City’s first ever “Opera Month.” The first Livonia Art Exhibit made its debut (now called Art From the Heart), and the “Music Under the Stars” program, still going strong in the new millennium, made its premier (now called Music From The Heart). Since that auspicious beginning, the Commission has fostered a rich and diverse series of cultural events, activities, and projects.

Through it all, however, the mission has remained the same - to create, promote, develop, sponsor, sustain, and further the development of the Arts in Livonia. Subsequent Commissions have continued to take that mission seriously and to build upon that heritage in a variety of ways. Today, the Commission fosters programs such as Music from the Heart each summer, the Annual Exhibition of Fine Arts each fall, and the granting of scholarships to high school and college students engaged in the Arts.

Brian Duggan, Chairperson, Year Appointed: 2011
Dan Spurling, Vice-Chairperson, Year Appointed: 2003
Carrie Spurling, Secretary, Year Appointed: 1998
Virginia Bosak, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2015
Joe Gilligan, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2020
Donna Eno, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2000
James Sercu, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2018
Grace Karczewski, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2005
Patrice Mang, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2018
Helen Moore, Commissioner, Year Appointed 2016
Lindsay A. Spence, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2016
Jerry Valentine, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2012
Pam Valentine, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2012
David Culliton, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2020
Richard Kent, Commissioner, Year Appointed: 2020

The Colored Pencil Society

Livonia will feature an exhibit of the Colored Pencil Society during the month of November. As soon as the location is announced you will find it posted in FridayMusings:

CPSA has worldwide representation and is comprised of more than 1800 artists and has district chapters across the USA and Internationally.

The Detroit Chapter, founded in 1993, invites all interested parties to become a part of this steadily growing group of artists. They welcome all who enjoy working in this medium and wish to support the CPSA’s purpose in the promotion of colored pencils.

Their purpose is to promote the stature and awareness of colored pencil art as a viable art form and to provide a forum for the education of, communication with, and the recognition of colored pencil artists.

In order below:

Chubby & Felix by Bethany Goforth

Solitary Walk by Roberta McDonell

Ring My Bell by Diane L Radtke

Portrait of Eric by Virginia Wait

Livonia City Council endorsements:

Carrie Budzinski

FridayMusings

Congresswoman Haley Stevens

Representative Laurie Pohutsky

Former Senator Carl Levin

Livonia Democratic Club

Run For Something

AFSCME Council 25

Sierra Club of Michigan

Dan Centers

FridayMusings

Livonia Professional Firefighters

Congresswoman Haley Stevens

State Senator Dayna Polehanki

Representative Laurie Pohutsky

County Commissioner David Knezek

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan

Councilman Brandon McCullough

Former Councilman Joe Laura

Former Councilman Dale Jurcisin

Sierra Club of Michigan

School Board Trustee Colleen Burton

Former School Board Randy Roulier

Former School Board Dianne Laura

School Board Trustee Mark Johnson

School Board Trustee Karen Bradford

School Board Trustee Liz Jarvis

Schoolcraft Trustee Joan Gebhardt

Schoolcraft Trustee Terry Gilligan Schoolcraft Trustee Brett Gierak

Zoning Board of Appeals Tim Klisz

Zoning Board of Appeals Lisa Fraske

Board of Review Pat Crandall

Arts Commissioner Joe Gilligan

Human Relations Comm Wafa Dinaro

Human Relations Rachel Zuckerman

Library Comm. Madison Bjertness

Library Comm. Kacie McCullough

Library Commissioner Dave Parr

Metro Detroit AFL-CIO

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

Pipefitters Local 636

AFSCME Council 25

Michigan Building Construction Trades

Sheet Metal Workers Local80

Iron Workers Local 25

Livonia Democratic Club

Rob Donovic

Councilwoman Kathleen McIntyre

Councilman Scott Bahr

Treasurer Lynda Scheel

Former Mayor Jack Engebretson

Livonia Professional Firefighters

Livonia Police Officers Association

Livonia Republican Club

Jim Jolly

FridayMusings

Livonia Professional Firefighters

Livonia Police Officers Association

Livonia Command Officers Association

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan

Councilwoman Laura Toy

Councilman Brandon McCullough

Councilman Kathleen McIntyre

Former Councilman Brandon Kritzman

Former Councilman James McCann

Former Councilman Brian Meakin

County Commissioner Terry Marecki

County Commissioner David Knezek

Michigan Bldg & Construction Trades

Bricklayers & Allied Crafts Local 2

Pipefitters Local 636

Laborers Union 1191

School Board Trustee Karen Bradford

Schoolcraft College Joan Gebhardt

Schoolcraft Trustee Brett Gierak

Schoolcraft Trustee Terry Gilligan

Board of Review, Pat Crandall

Human Relations Haitham Fakouri

Planning Comm Sam Caramagno

Zoning Commissioner Tim Klisz

Zoning Commissioner Michael Testa

Zoning Commissioner Jim Baringhaus

Library Comm. Kacie McCullough

Livonia Democratic Club

Livonia Republican Club

Scott Morgan

Councilwoman Kathleen McIntyre

Councilman Scott Bahr

Councilwoman Laura Toy

Councilwoman Cathy White

Councilman Rob Donovic

Former Mayor Jack Engebretson

Commissioner Terry Marecki

Former Councilman Jim McCann

Treasurer Lynda Scheel

Livonia Police Officers Association

Police Officer Association of Michigan

Livonia Republican Club

Ken Overwater

FridayMusings

UAW Region 1A

Senator Dayna Polehanki

Representative Laurie Pohutsky

Arts Commissioner Joe Gilligan

AFSCME Council 25

Livonia Democratic Club

Metro Detroit AFL-CIO

Laura Toy

FridayMusings

Mayor Maureen Brosnan

Council woman Kathleen McIntyre

Councilman Jim Jolly

Councilwoman Cathy White

Councilman Brandon McCullough

Councilman Rob Donovic

Former Mayor Dennis Wright

Commissioner Terry Marecki

The following opinion by Mayor Jack Engebretson does not reflect the consensus of FridayMusings or the typewriter but rather is the opinion of one person who asked to have this commentary run in Friday Musings. The request was made in time for it to be run today.

We are running without comment the following opinion without any clarification of differing views that have been reported over the past 6 months in FridayMusings and ask that you keep that in mind:

Another Point of View from Jack Engebretson

I agree with Councilman Scott Bahr’s recent speculation that Laura Toy and Jim Jolly are likely to take the two top spots in the 2021 Livonia City Council Election.

So, the question then is, which other candidates will make the new council the best that it can be in these times of challenges and great uncertainty?

In my opinion, the answer is clear – Rob Donovic and Scott Morgan. Both are patriots having served our Republic in the military. They have been trained by the military to be team players and leaders. How do I know that? I was there too - in the USAF. Both Rob and Scott have served our community in meaningful ways as well.

Councilman Donovic has been brutalized by one or more of his opponents in the current campaign. He has shown his maturity, stability, and grace by not lashing back as he easily could have done. Rob’s growth as a council member has been exemplary as he participated in meetings via Zoom while serving with the Army in the Middle East for nearly a year. He never missed a meeting during that deployment. He did his homework and was an effective contributor to the council business.

After serving six years with the U.S. Marines, Scott Morgan served our city as a Police Officer with the LPD. He knows our city well – both the business segment and our residential community. His LPD colleagues had trust and confidence in his judgment and leadership capability as they elected him union president over a period of ten years. His experience in our community makes him uniquely qualified to serve on the city council.

After having served six years on the city council, I have a complete understanding of what that job entails. I am totally confident that both Rob and Scott will serve the community well as members of the next city council. Both have the integrity and independence that set them apart for election to the new council. Both will serve with honor and they will never let you down. I encourage you to vote for Rob Donovic and Scott Morgan on November 2nd.

Friday Musings encourages you to consider these candidates when you vote on November 2nd

Endorsing candidates for Livonia City Council is not always easy for this typewriter. This election is no different.

I talk with dozens of people, neighbors, city hall observers, candidates, and people I do not know but just stop them and ask their opinions. Their thoughts on this election.

The first two endorsements, already decisively made, were for incumbent Jim Jolly who is a candidate that doesn't just talk Livonia he lives Livonia and challenger Dan Centers who has a history of bridge-building through all levels of government, an attribute that will benefit Livonia as he works with all individuals to move Livonia forward.

There are three more worthy of consideration for our vote for Livonia City Council. In addition to Jolly and Centers FridayMusings endorses three others who would make Livonia proud.

Carrie Budzinski, Ken Overwater, and Laura Toy. Any combination of two of these three candidates, along with Jolly and Centers will create a City Council that would be forward-looking, willing to continue building on the Vision 21 blueprint while working with our Mayor to mold a progressive agenda restoring our hometown as the envy of neighboring communities.

Ken Overwater is an advocate for people when they need it most. On City Council, he will be committed to expanding access to the things that make Livonia a great place to live while continuing to listen to the concerns of Livonia residents. In talking to Ken you can hear the compassion for others. He has heart and it comes through as he engages in active listening. A needed skill set on our council.

Carrie Budzinski will bring transparency, accountability, and an active engagement with citizens. This is what we can expect from her service. What is impressive with her is her willingness to follow through on ideas. She is more than just talking, she is a person with action. Follow-through is another skill set we will look forward to on council.

Laura Toy understands that the history of Livonia goes beyond the date that someone was elected to the council. This historic perspective is something we need. It propels us into the future by understanding what came before and why we need progressive change if we are to continue attracting younger families. It would have been easy after her defeat for Mayor just two years ago to be bitter while turning her back on Mayor Brosnan. Instead, she has worked to develop a relationship that benefits the entire community. This comes with maturity, experience, and wisdom. Skillsets that will benefit our Council and city.

These endorsements do not take away from the two candidates not receiving consideration. Both Rob Donovic, incumbent, and Scott Morgan, challenger, are good, likable candidates. They are however aligned with a faction of the city council that is holding the city back, that tends to support only their way without listening to their neighbors for the change necessary to move Livonia forward.

It may be considered a cop-out to endorse five, not four but Livonia is fortunate to have five solid candidates who put Livonia first and if elected will help position our hometown as the place to live, the community to work, and the hometown to raise our families.

Jolly, Centers, Budzinski, Overwater, Toy. Five outstanding candidates. FridayMusings encourages you to consider your four votes from among these five.

Council race breaks all

contemporary records for donations.

The following is a list of council candidates as their pre-general contribution and expenditure totals:

Rob Donovic, 50,538, with expenditures reported of $25,796.

Dan Centers, 50,370, with expenditures of $40,225.

Laura Toy raised 38,279 with expenditures of 9,797.

Scott Morgan raised 19,734 with expenditures of 18,437.

Jim Jolly raised $17,615 with expenditures of 12,753.

Carrie Budzinski raised 10,519 with expenditures of 10,268.

Ken Overwater raised 10,796, with expenditures of 6,748.