May 1, 2020 Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive.
Some things just make me smile as I realize life goes on and normal will return
Alan Brooks posted his picture of the day. "Can you see the electricity flowing from this generator?" I am hooked on his photography. It just leaves a smile on my face each time I see his creativity.
This typewriter loves another form of creativity, this by the
Kiwanis Early Risers. 10 - 15 $1,000 scholarships named in honor of Mr. Sunshine, the late City Councilman Fernon Feenstra. You gotta love our service clubs giving back to our hometown. Deadline May 15th. Spread the word.
Talk about creativity.
The Livonia Jaycees say "isolate not isolation." So what do they do? They have a Thirsty Thursday on Zoom. If I could just figure out how to Zoom I would join them.
Livonia's Mr. Entertainment
Tim Klisz who is known to travel to New York to camp out for 2-3 days in order to get tickets for Saturday Night Live, or head to Chicago for a concert at the drop of a hat.
How about a good discussion on the power of the executive branch in Michigan Scott Bahr and Alan Helmkamp provide a framework for a serious discussion without guns
Scott Bahr, Vice Chairman of the Livonia City Council recently spoke up about the need to check Governor Whitmer's power. He wrote a letter to the editor published Monday in the Detroit News and posted the letter on his Councilman Scott Bahr Facebook Page. The typewriter enjoys solid discussions that do not veer into sophistry or personal attacks. With that in mind Musings is offering up Bahr's letter unedited along with a letter on the same subject written on Wednesday and provided to FridayMusings for publication from Livonia attorney Alan Helmkamp.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated:
Scott Bahr:
When Gov. Whitmer presents her case for social distancing and asks for citizens' cooperation, I think most people are willing and even eager to comply. We want to help protect ourselves and our fellow citizens.
However, when she dictates the specifics of what we can do, where we can travel, and what we can buy without any regard for our ability to make responsible decisions, she engenders a feeling of resentment rather than cooperation.
It is one thing to ask for a voluntary constraint of personal liberties. It is another to command and control. The difference is where political sovereignty lies. Under our Constitution, we the people are sovereign, not the governor - even when we temporarily grant her expanded authority.
That's why I am grateful that the Michigan Legislature is discussing oversight of the governor's authority. Regardless of one's opinion about the right way to address this pandemic, we must recognize and restore the critical role of checks and balances in our state government.
Nobody - no matter how well intentioned - is immune from the temptations that come with unchecked power. The first step to shielding oneself from corruption is to admit one's susceptibility to corruption. That's why leaders of integrity welcome accountability.
While delivering her latest executive order, the governor defiantly vowed to "not sign any bill that takes authority away from me or any future governor." Again, emergency executive power has a role, but if it's true, as she believes, that a 1945 law grants her this power without time constraints, then our legislators must move quickly to impose proper limits on that power.
Let's not forget that when she talks about the Legislature, she is talking about our elected representatives. Her characterization of their meeting (where they take even greater social distancing precautions than we observe in the grocery store) as an "unnecessary trip" to Lansing equates to calling our right to debate her actions "unnecessary," as well.
That mindset is exactly why her power needs to be checked.
Alan Helmkamp:
This week's episode of the on-going coronavirus tragicomedy playing out in Washington and Lansing has focused on the power of the Executive versus the Legislative branch of state government.
Majority leaders have called legislators back to the Capitol this Thursday to establish a "special oversight committee" on the Governor's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reportedly are prepared to attempt to limit the emergency authority of her office.
Our own Livonia City Council Vice-President has weighed in with an opinion piece entitled, "Legislature must check the governor's power," published in The Detroit News earlier this week. A political bias is discernable though his use of characterizations attributable to the Governor's motives and actions ("dictates," "defiantly" and even "corruption" ). That aside, his central premise is, "if it's true, as she believes, that a 1945 law grants her this (emergency) power without time constraints, then our legislature must move quickly to impose proper limits on that power."
For those interested in a substantive context to interpret that statement, immediately following the first confirmed COVID-19 positives in the state, the Governor on March 10, 2020 in Executive Order No. 2020-4 declared a state of emergency. The legal basis for that declaration was The Emergency Management Act of 1976, and The Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945.
Contrary to the assertion ascribing to the Governor a belief of power "without time constraints," the Governor's order acknowledges "limits on duration" of the exercise of authority by her under those laws. In fact, the 1945 Act expressly provides that emergency orders, rules and regulations issued by the Governor "shall cease to be in effect upon declaration by the governor that the emergency no longer exists."
In a thoughtful post on March 19, 2020 by Michael Van Beck, pictured right, Director of Research for the Mackinac Center For Public Policy ( a conservative "think-tank"), entitled "Emergency Powers Under Michigan Law," he wrote:
"Michigan law does grant the governor these emergency powers in certain circumstances. In those times, the governor may legislate and exercise his or her power without the Legislature's approval. These emergency powers are limited and temporary, however."
The authority that state Governors have in times of public health emergency are extensive, although admittedly, not unlimited. Professor of Law Bernadette Meyler, pictured left, of Stanford Law School recently wrote:
"The power to quarantine has traditionally been one of the primary state 'police powers,' a set of powers over health, safety, and the public welfare...Even in the earliest decisions...the Supreme Court acknowledged the states' authority to engage in quarantines and interpreted the Commerce Clause to protect that."
On April 16, 2020, (three days after claiming his "total" and "unlimited" power to order the relaxing of social distancing and re-opening of the economy in the states), no less an authority than the President back-tracked and acknowledged that these decisions belong to the Governors, and they're "going to be calling the shots."
It is fair to debate the specifics of what the Governor has ordered, and many of us welcome modifications from earlier orders that provide some additional flexibility in the exercise of our day-to-day lives, and more importantly, the layered re-opening of businesses necessary to restoring our economic vitality, which needs to be done thoughtfully and safely.
But make no mistake- that our Governor may "call the shots" is well-authorized in law. Those that question those decisions in the name of "checks and balances" fail to recognize that the legislature is limited to nibbling around the edges of the legal parameters of the emergency orders. The realty is that those attacks mostly reflect a partisan motivation in this current election cycle.
Haley Stevens Urges Treasury, Federal Reserve to Support Struggling Child Care Providers
Wednesday, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, urging the U.S. Treasury to work with the Federal Reserve to make federal assistance available to struggling child care providers.
According to a recent survey by the Early Care and Education Consortium, major child care providers have experienced a near 75% drop in attendance due to state and local stay-at-home orders, resulting in closures of about 65% of programs. Some of the larger providers have seen an 85% to 90% decline in enrollment. An estimated 3.5 million children of healthcare industry workers need access to childcare, making the child care sector essential to the fight against COVID-19. Widespread permanent closures of child care centers will also hinder economic recovery efforts by making it harder for parents to re-enter the workforce.
In the letter, Congresswoman Stevens asks the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve to expand eligibility criteria to make new loan programs established by the CARES Act, such as the Main Street Loan Facilities and the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility, accessible tochild care providers.
"Child care services are absolutely critical to our economy during this crisis as well as the post-crisis recovery phase," said Congresswoman Stevens. "We need to ensure that businesses like the Learning Care Group, which is headquartered in Michigan's 11th District, are able to survive this economic shutdown and can continue to provide child care services to Michigan families. The U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve should provide the necessary financial support to protect the child care sector from total devastation."
"We applaud Rep. Stevens for her leadership to support the child care industry. We're doing our utmost to continue providing families with exceptional child care in a safe learning environment, also giving children a sense of comfort and stability in these uncertain times," said Mark Bierley, Chief Executive Officer, Learning Care Group. "As we're enabling those in essential roles to continue their critical work, we urge our lawmakers to help us ensure that all families will have access to the high-quality child care needed to help support the path to economic recovery.
A portion of the letter sent by Congresswoman Haley Stevens:
I write today to urge you to work with the Federal Reserve to enable providers of early childhood education and childcare services to access programs and facilities established under section 4003(b)(4) of Title IV of the CARES Act.
. . . .the child care sector provides crucial services to over 11 million families across America and has a $99 billion economic impact on our nation annually. The loss of major providers of child care services will hinder the ability of parents and guardians to re-enter the workforce once the pandemic ends, and will lead to a significantly slower recovery for the U.S. economy.
. . . .Already, the childcare sector is collapsing due to this unprecedented crisis . . . . Many child care providers will close for good without federal assistance. Without quality child care options, American workers will not be able to readily return to the workforce during our recovery efforts.
. . . .Mid-to-large child care providers unfortunately have limited access to the programs previously authorized under prior COVID-19 stimulus packages. For many, the only source of federal assistance available may be under Title IV of the CARES Act.
Musings follows Our
Livonia City Council
Livonia City Council Regular Meeting - April 27, 2020
Livonia City Council Study Meeting - April 27, 2020
Armand Vigna helped build a school district while motivating students
Coach Armand Vigna passed away yesterday from complications from COVID-19. His wife Ruthie also passed away 12 hours later. Without him the Franklin Football program would not be what it is. What made Coach Vigna so special was his ability to mentor and motivate kids in the 1970's as well as players in the 2000's.
Franklin High School will be honoring Coach Armand Vigna. Friday night 9-10 pm the school will be turning on the stadium lights for that hour. Turning on the stadium lights is a great way to honor his passion for Franklin Football. Friends and graduates should feel free to drive by but you must stay in your vehicles. Due to COVID people congregating is not recommended or allowed.
The former Livonia Franklin head coach, who coached football for more than 40 years, helped the Patriots to its only state title in 1975, the first Division 1 state title in the history of Michigan high school football.
Vigna and his wife Ruthie died Tuesday from the coronavirus within 12 hours of each other.
In his head coaching career at Livonia Franklin, Cherry Hill and Ravenna, Vigna posted a record of 157-114-2, according to the Michigan High School Football Association Coaches Hall of Fame, earning regional coach of the year honors in 1975 and 1982.
"I have never heard anyone say ill words toward Armand Vigna. He was intense, he was competitive to the nth degree," Livonia Franklin athletic director Ron Hammye said. "Just a person who motivated young people."
The time we live in. Our State Capitol Thursday.
State Senator Dayna Polehanki will be on CNN Friday morning in the 7:00. She has also been invited to appear on MSNBC Friday evening in the 8:00 hour of All in with Chris Hayes.
YOU GOTTA LOVE LIVONIA. Communication and update from Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan
For daily updates check out the City of Livonia
Covid-19 page
Just a reminder that the City continues to seek contributions of personal protective equipment and other supplies for first responders and medical personnel. Donations can be dropped off weekdays at the
Kirksey Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
As a reminder, the City has prepared a resources guide for residents, including food and nutrition, education, sanitation, among other areas.
Dan MacIver offers up a slice of Livonia History. Cheese.
Time to recognize our graduating seniors
This group has been inspired by other Adopt a Senior 2020 groups around the nation. Adopt a Livonia Senior- class of 2020 group has been created to give focus on all Livonia Seniors.This is a fun and safe way for our community to honor our seniors.
Here is how it works:
1. Create a post recognizing your Senior and all their accomplishments. At the top of your post put��NOT ADOPTED��, once they have been adopted please edit the top of your post to say��ADOPTED�� You can add photos and a description showcasing all they have accomplished in their last 4 years. Feel free to brag, they deserve to be recognized for all they have worked for.
2. Please make sure it is only Legal guardians of the Senior creating the post. We want to make sure only information they want shared is posted.
3. To adopt a member of the Senior Class of 2020, you simply comment on their post "I would like to adopt your Senior", or something along those lines.
4. If you have adopted a Senior, please reach out to the individual who made the post via personal messenger to get their address and find out any information you are looking for. If anyone is uncomfortable sharing their address there is the option of an amazon wishlist. If you are unwilling to share address please add this to your post so that the adopter will know they are limited to the amazon wishlist before they commit to adopting your senior!
5. SUGGESTED ITEMS: letters, cards, gift cards, mementos, snacks, yard sign, gift baskets, freshman/college dorm needs, college swag, alumni Swag, etc. The opportunities are endless.
6. You may adopt as many Seniors as you would like.
7. Your Senior can be adopted by multiple individuals with parents permission.
8. We will keep this group private for the safety of all our students. Please Invite FRIENDS, FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, ETC.
9. If you would just like to make a monetary donation these will be accepted as well. They will be used to sponsor unadopted seniors and I will do the shopping. Donations can be made via Venmo. I will also work on getting a go fund me organized but this platform does take a percentage of the proceeds.
This group is completely voluntary, and as with any facebook group, please use your best judgement when sharing personal information. Please keep all posts POSITIVE. Anything not pertaining to the SENIOR CLASS OF 2020 will be deleted from the forum.
Proud sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings v Livonia All-stars coming to town Aug 16, 3:00.
Livonia's Mr. Entertainment
Tim Klisz who is known to travel to New York to camp out for 2-3 days in order to get tickets for Saturday Night Live, or head to Chicago for a concert at the drop of a hat.
The authority that state Governors have in times of public health emergency are extensive, although admittedly, not unlimited. Professor of Law Bernadette Meyler, pictured left, of Stanford Law School recently wrote:
Wednesday, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, urging the U.S. Treasury to work with the Federal Reserve to make federal assistance available to struggling child care providers.
necessary financial support to protect the child care sector from total devastation."
This group has been inspired by other Adopt a Senior 2020 groups around the nation. Adopt a Livonia Senior- class of 2020 group has been created to give focus on all Livonia Seniors.This is a fun and safe way for our community to honor our seniors. 
