Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 12/05/2022

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What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.

FridayMusings Monday, December 5, 2022 Helping define Livonia Quality of Life

City Council Agenda Monday 12/5 includes a motion to

approve Non Discrimination Ordinance

With hope, we will see on Monday a statement of support for the passage of a new Livonia non-discrimination ordinance and that in the next edition of FridayMusings we will be reporting that the NDO passed on a vote of 7-0. With hope. If not we should be prepared for more money being collected, neighbors mobilizing and discussions continuing for another year as a rumored citizen petition drive is implemented placing the issue on the ballot. On the same ballot as our city elections.

Voters in Livonia have a city council of which we have expectations that they will take the lead in creating a hometown of which we are proud, that does all in its power to create an environment that is inclusive, protecting the values of diversity that set Livonia at the pinnacle of excellence.

That excellence includes providing services while making sure that no part of Livonia feels left out, whether a person works in Livonia, shops in our hometown, or lives and pays taxes in the town they call home.

We must continue to be vigilant and defend democracy that includes all people at every opportunity. Livonia is watching with expectations that our community elected leaders do the right thing and support the new Non-discrimination Ordinance.

FridayMusings readers poll. Non-Discrimination poll results.

Should our City Council vote to approve a Non-Discrimination Ordinace at the Dec. 5 meeting?

YES 85.9% NO 14.1%

End of an Era as Livonia Observer stops publishing print edition

Livonia resident David Veselenak, Staff Reporter at Hometownlife.com posted Sunday morning that "After decades of publishing printed newspapers, this is the last copy of the Livonia Observer after Gannett decided to end printing physical papers in Livonia, Westland, Farmington, Plymouth, Canton and Birmingham. Several other papers we have, including in South Lyon, Milford, Novi and Northville will continue to print.

"I’m sad to see this happen in some of Michigan’s largest communities. Despite the ceasing of print papers, my colleagues and I continue to cover these towns to the best of our ability, because we know how important local news is, especially in Detroit’s suburbs. Make sure to bookmark hometownlife.com, where we continue to post local news, photos and more of the happenings in our towns."

Dan West who came to the Livonia Chamber of Commerce after a tour of duty in journalism at the Observer sums up the feelings of this typewriter who has valued the Observer going back to the days that Phil Power purchased the paper in 1965, saying that "It is truly tragic for a community like Livonia that was well-served for so many years by the community journalism the Observer provided, but personally, it is difficult for all of us who worked for that publication."

Proud of Livonia and our impact supporting women's civil rights.

Head for the ice as our

Livonia All-stars ready to skate with Detroit Red Wings Alumni.

Lace up those skates. Our Livonia All-stars are ready to challenge the Detroit Red Wings Alumni on January 29th. Head over to the Kirksey Recreation Center to pick up your $10 tickets or scan the QR code on this image. Perfect for stocking stuffers.

Proceeds for this sure-to-be sell-out crowd benefit Livonia Kids and Families.

Avatar is back. Only 13 years since the first. Can't wait for December 16th.

The first Avatar was released in the United States in 2009 with positive reviews including from the typewriter, with critics effusive in their praise for the groundbreaking visual effects.

In the new Avatar, slated for release December 16, on which date you will find the typewriter at the first showing of the day at the Phoenix Theatre, my go-to entertainment venue, Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the planet of Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na'vi race to protect their planet.

Cory Jacobson, owner of the Livonia Phoenix Theatre tells the typewriter that they just put in a new 3-D screen in theatre #2 "and a new server and will have two auditoriums featuring 3-D with James Cameron's new 48 frames per second high frame rate presentation. It should be absolutely spectacular."

The first Avatar managed to break multiple box office records worldwide with a $2.85 billion gross take.

The next three in the Avatar series are slated for 2024, 2026, 2028. That's right three more. YES!

A Professional Soccer Stadium coming to Livonia at Madonna University

Gold Star Detroit FC, in collaboration with Madonna University, will construct a 5,000-seat, professional soccer stadium opening in spring of 2023. The stadium approval process concluded at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. The stadium will host Gold Star Detroit FC, Madonna sports and top entertainment events including concerts.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Madonna University and the city of Livonia,” says Ian Day, president of Madonna University. “We are thrilled to welcome Gold Star FC to campus. I want to thank Dan Milstein, Alex Lubyansky and everyone at Gold Star.”

“The stadium project represents the beginning of a long-term relationship. We look forward to a world-class experience for all current and future Crusaders,” he adds.

Gold Star Detroit FC partnered with Sogility to bring their technology driven soccer training to the new complex. Sogility leverages a data-driven training model which allows players and coaches to monitor performance through their unique training technology which includes rebound boards with LED lights and neurological equipment.

Stadium naming rights and corporate sponsorship opportunities will be handled by Gemini Sports. Gemini Sports has worked in this capacity for some of the world’s top venues, including Oracle Arena in Oakland, Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and Estadio Omnilife in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico – home to Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara.

“We are excited to help bring a first-class venue and organization to Detroit and believe Gold Star will be an attractive property for corporate partners,” says Rob Yowell, president of Gemini Sports. “Soccer fans in Michigan are going to be thrilled with the new stadium's atmosphere and to have a hometown club with a direct line to a Champions League club in Europe.”

About Gold Star FC

Gold Star FC owns and manages professional football clubs worldwide. FC Santa Coloma is the winningest club in Andorran history with thirteen UEFA Champions League appearances. Learn more at

goldstarfootballclub.com

facebook.com/goldstarfootballclub.

About Dan Milstein

Dan Milstein is the Founder and Chairman of the Gold Star Group - which operates 49 offices worldwide in mortgages, sports management, films and publishing. Notable clients include two-time Stanley Cup Champions Pavel Datsyuk, Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Mikhail Sergachev, and Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane – in addition to numerous others.

Livonia's First Annual Shakespeare in the Park continues to impress

Livonia Parks and Recreation's Shakespeare in the Park production of 'Romeo & Juliet' is up for several BroadwayWorld Magazine Regional Awards. Joe Johnston was nominated for Best Supporting Performance, along with Cristina Kenyon and Philip Butler, and Scott Harman for his role in 'Othello' this summer at Interlochen,

The leads Jacquie Jones and Olivia Deane are up for Best Performance, director Kyle Fisher-Grant is up for Best Direction, along with James Kuhl for 'Patrick Barlow's A Christmas Carol' at Tipping Point, and Romeo and Juliet itself is up for Best Play!

Livonia also has Motor City Youth Theatre nominated in a variety of categories and Ken Overwater for his performance with the Farmington Players.

Joe Johnston describes this as "a lot of damn talented names and I am honestly shocked, honored, humbled, and excited to be in their company."

If you saw the play and enjoyed it and feel like sharing the love, you can vote here:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/michigan/voteregion.cfm

Here is hoping that we bring it back again.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

Mental Health Matters

Tom Watkins, Deputy, and Director, Michigan Department of Mental Health 1983-90, President and CEO, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, 2013-17, submitted his take on what he calls a "misguided attempt to fix" our public mental health system:

Congrats to the Michigan Legislature for seeing through term-limited Senate Majority Leader, Mike Shirkey’s insurance companies' money grab and defeating his two sweetheart bills that would have begun the process of transferring $3 billion tax dollars to insurance companies under the misguided guise of fixing the public mental health system. The profit Insuance industry solution, backed by Senator Shirkey, would Increase administrative costs and profits while doing nothing to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable citizens (persons with serious mental illness, children with emotional challenges, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities) in Michigan.

The Senate on Tuesday voted 15-17 against SB 597 and 15-19 against SB 598. The bills saw bipartisan votes against both. Mr. Shirkey spearheaded the effort on the bills since their introduction in July 2021, with the bills being substituted several times before being soundly defeated.

Another battle has been won, the war over profit and greed vs care, service, and compassion continues. Congrats to the County Sheriffs, and County Board of Commissioners. Police Officers Associations, local hospitals, the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, NAMI, and other consumer organizations opposed placing profits over people and continue to fight to improve the mental health system of care.

The Bills were never about bringing forward solutions to the real issues facing a system of care that needs additional support and sensible consumer-focused reforms.

Be clear, with $3 billion of taxpayers' money on the line annually, you can count on the profit-making insurance companies to continue to attack the public system.

Now, let’s find ways to come together under Gov Whitmer, the newly elected legislature, the Michigan Department of Health and Human leaders and work with the Michigan Association of Health Plans, Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, parents, and advocacy organizations to enhance and improve the behavioral mental health system in Michigan in ways that impact care. We can and must do better.

SEIZURE SAFE SCHOOLS ACTION ALERT. You are needed.

Calling all advocates! The Michigan PTSA wants to see HB 4970 reach the finish line before this year ends! The bill has already passed out of the House and we now need the Senate to take up a vote ASAP! Please click through the link to connect with your state Senator and request that they vote on HB 4970 during lame duck! This bill will allow for a safe and secure learning environment for students with epilepsy. This bill has passed in 19 other States and we want Michigan to be the next one!

You don't have to be a PTA member, and it's for everyone, not just those affected by a seizure disorder.

https://www.votervoice.net/MIPTA/Campaigns/98913/Respond