November 17, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia
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Seedlings Auction only One Day Left
Click on this link to start your bidding for the exciting items Seedlings has listed in their online auction: https://bit.ly/3BMDKQh
The bidding ends today, Nov. 17 at 10 p.m.
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The typewriter is receiving questions, on a daily basis, about who is up for election in 2022 with most interest being the school board. All of the positions listed below are up for election. The school board trustees are non-partisan with the balance of positions partisan.
The people listed have not announced their intention to run but the positions they hold are up for election.
Biographical information is taken directly from the government websites for each elected representative.
Livonia has 7 school trustees with 3 up for election. Livonia currently has 1 State Senator but that could change when the new districts are finalized. Livonia has 1 State Representative, well, two if you count the one small corner of southeast Livonia, but that also could change when the new districts are finalized.
The new County Commissioner Districts have been announced and exclusively shared in FridayMusings, November 15. Livonia will have two County Commissioners each sharing roughly 1/2 of the city. Most of the city is currently represented by Terry Marecki with a small southeast portion represented by David Knezik.
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Who on the Board of Education is up for election in November 2022 ? |
Colleen Burton was elected to the Board in November of 2009 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. She is a graduate of Livonia Bentley High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Harding University. Colleen is the parent of three LPS graduates. She currently works as a sales assistant. She has served as a member of the District School Improvement Team, PTA President, Treasurer, and Membership Chairperson, and Stevenson Booster Club School Beautification Chairperson. Colleen is certified by the Michigan Association of School Boards and has achieved the MASB Master Diamond Award.
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Mark Johnson was elected to the Board in June of 2010, and re-elected 2014 and 2018. He is a graduate of Livonia Public Schools, and attended the University of Toledo where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance degree. Mark is the parent of one LPS graduate and one current LPS student. He has been a trial lawyer for more than 25 years. Mark is certified by the Michigan Association of School Boards and has achieved the MASB Master Board Member Award.
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Liz Jarvis was elected to the Board in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. She holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art, with an emphasis in Graphic Design, from Michigan State University. Liz is a stay-at-home mom, and also works as a calligrapher by commission. She is the parent of three LPS graduates. She serves on the District School Improvement team, the LPS Education Foundation Board of Directors, and the Livonia PTSA Council. She is a big cheerleader for our Livonia FIRST Robotics Teams. Liz is certified by the Michigan Association of School Boards and has achieved the MASB Award of Merit.
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Who in the State Legislature is up for election in 2022 ? |
State Senator
Dayna Polehanki
Before her election to the state legislature, Sen. Dayna Polehanki was a leader in the classroom.
She is a two-time Teacher of the Year award winner and has almost 19 years of experience in the classroom.
As a public school teacher and small business owner, Polehanki understands how policies affect our ability to prepare students for college, skilled-trades training, and good-paying jobs. She is a champion for better investment in public schools and roads, as well as policies that lower prescription drug prices and that protect our air and water.
Polehanki holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University, a major in English and teacher certification from Alma College, and a master’s degree in teaching from Marygrove College.
She lives in Livonia.
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State Representative
Laurie Pohutsky
State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky is serving her second term representing the 19th House District, which encompasses the majority of the city of Livonia. She is a long-time activist and volunteer, and spent time as a crisis hotline volunteer and a caregiver at Angela Hospice.
Pohutsky graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in microbiology. While a student at MSU, she took part in community outreach activities and protests at the Capitol. These experiences instilled a deep interest in politics and demonstrated the importance of ensuring everyone has a voice in government.
After college, Pohutsky worked in the fields of food safety, toxicology, and health care. She brings this knowledge, along with her experience in water quality testing, with her to the Michigan House of Representatives.
She has a deep commitment to bringing a scientific perspective to government and advocating for environmental causes.
Pohutsky is a member of the Livonia Democratic Club and is active in Michigan United. She lives in Livonia with her rescue pets.
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Who on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners is up for election in 2022 ? |
Commissioner Terry Marecki, a Republican, was first elected in November 2014 to represent the Wayne County Commission's 9th District, which covers the city of Northville, Northville Township, and most of the city of Livonia.
The lifelong Livonia resident graduated from Bentley High School and Madonna University with a bachelor of science degree in dietetics. She is a registered dietitian who worked at the University of Cincinnati and University of Michigan medical centers in the cardiac surgery and rehabilitation departments.
Marecki served on the Livonia Public Schools Board of Education, including as vice president and secretary, from 2001-03. She served on the Livonia City Council from 2004-10, including the final two years as vice president, and as Livonia city clerk from 2010 -14.
She has volunteered for years in her hometown and is active with the Livonia Community Foundation, Livonia Prayer Breakfast Committee, Community Opportunity Center Advisory Board, the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation, as an honorary board member, and as a trustee on the Madonna University Committee on Planning and Mission Effectiveness. Her family attends Oak Pointe Church in Novi.
Marecki and her husband, Mark, have four children and four grandchildren.
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Commissioner Glenn S. Anderson, a Democrat, was sworn in as a member of the Wayne County Commission in January 2016 and was elected for his first full term in November of 2016.
A veteran of local and state government, Anderson previously served for eight years as a State Senator (2007-14), six years as a State Representative (2001-06), and nine years as a member of the Westland City Council (1991-2000), and was also a member of the Wayne County Ethics Board.
As a state legislator, Anderson's focus centered on ending bullying in schools, protecting children, reforming the redistricting process, and strengthening both consumer protection and government transparency. His legislative service was recognized by numerous organizations. Anderson received the Hero of Breast Cancer Award from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and also was named Legislator of the Year by Michigan Chiefs of Police, Police Officers Association of Michigan, and the Michigan Hemophilia Association. He also was a member of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators as well as the Council of State Governments Great Lakes Caucus.
In addition to his service in elected positions, Commissioner Anderson has been deeply involved in the community, holding membership in numerous commissions, associations, and civic organizations. Not only is he a former Jaycee, he has also been involved with the Westland Goodfellows, Western Wayne NAACP, Churchill High School PTA, and many other charitable and community organizations.
Prior to his career in public service, Anderson was employed by Ford Motor Co. and has been a member of the United Auto Workers since 1972.
He and his wife, Gail, have lived in Westland since 1978. They have two adult children, Melissa and Kyle, and three grandchildren, Mackenzie, Logan, and Luellyn.
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LPS Education Foundation delivers more than just smiles
What an awesome start to the week! The LPS Education Foundation delivered 17 grants totaling $29,585.76 during surprise visits this week to some very deserving teachers who applied for the funding for "extras" for their students.
Congrats to all and a huge thanks to the Foundation! And thank you to the officers of the Foundation:
- Lorna Durand – President
- Liz Jarvis – Vice-President
- Ron Kulczycki – Treasurer
- Melodie Provencher – Recording Secretary
- Dianne Laura – Corresponding Secretary
- Bob Carris – Controller
- Colleen Burton – LPS Board President
- Mark Johnson – LPS Board Vice-President
- Dr. Randy Liepa – Former Superintendent, Wayne RESA and Livonia Public Schools
- Andrea Oquist – Superintendent, Livonia Public Schools
- Lynda Scheel – Director
- Jill Wozniak – Director
- Jay Young – Director
- Rachel Zuckerman – Director
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L.E.A.R.N. asks your help to create a
garland for their
"Dec the Rec" Tree
Livonia Equity & Anti Racism Network (L.E A.R.N.) will have a holiday tree in the Rec Center as part of "Dec the Rec!" starting November 30.
LEARN is inviting Livonia residents to write messages of unity for Livonia on paper strips to create the unity garland.
To create a garland to wrap around the tree stop by the Livonia Civic Center Library lobby on these dates to be a part of the L.E.A.R.N. garland:
Friday, 11/19, 1:00 - 4:00
Saturday, 11/20, Noon - 3:00
Sunday, 11/21, 1:00 - 3:00
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Greenmead holiday gathering takes next step with more lights, activities
The Livonia Night of Lights program initiated last winter to brighten the Greenmead Historic Village will grow to provide more lights, more activities, and more fun this upcoming holiday season.
Thanks to business sponsorships, the Alexander Blue House and surrounding yards were colorfully decorated throughout December which created a great stage for Santa to meet people on the porch of the House for Saturday and Sunday evening.
This December, the effort will expand to add lights to five more historic structures and numerous trees on the Greenmead campus, located on Newburgh south of Eight Mile.
There will be new weekend activities designed to entertain people of all ages. New this year will be children’s arts and crafts inside Newburg School, and a heated hospitality tent with outside firepits for sales of alcoholic beverages, snacks, warm beverages, and soft drinks for public gatherings on the weekends. There will be street hockey rinks in the parking lot, and choir performances at Newburg Church at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.
Admission will be a $10 suggested donation per vehicle for the activities during the weekend evenings of December 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19. Some event proceeds will be used to support Friends of Greenmead and the Livonia Anniversary Committee. The activities will be open from 5-10 p.m. on the Friday and Saturday dates and 5-8 p.m. on the Sunday dates.
The community holiday festivities will shift to the Livonia Civic Center area on Sunday, December 5, starting with the annual parade at 4 p.m.
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Typewriter Movie Scores:
Dune 4/4 typewriters
No Time to Die 3/4 typewriters
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Livonia Pickleball League Registration |
Coming to a MAC Gym near you this winter will be the debut of our Pickleball Ladder Leagues! The six-week league will have participants playing four games per night from 8-10 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays starting Jan. 3. It will be a doubles league, with pairings changing each week based on past weeks’ results. A sub list is also available. Contact Ethan at eengel@livonia.gov for more information or register at https://secure.rec1.com/.../e4861227360927c1f3e704954368a...
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We want to see all our senior friends for Thanksgiving, so we are hosting TWO Thanksgiving Gatherings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each Tuesday, Nov. 23, and Wednesday, Nov. 24, at the Civic Park Senior Center. You may only attend one of the two, so collaborate with your friends and join us for a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings. Register at
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FootGolf coming to Livonia in January |
If you like soccer and golf, or even just one or the other, you may enjoy our new Frozen FootGolf Tour this winter. Imagine going hole to hole like a golf course, but by kicking a soccer ball into large holes instead of hitting a golf ball into small holes with a club. That’s FootGolf.
We’ll have three courses set up at Bicentennial Park Dec. 11, Ford Field Jan. 15 and Rotary Park Feb. 5. Register for one Saturday or all three and vie for prizes, awarded to the top finishers in each age bracket for each park and for the overall tour.
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