May 27, 2020         Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive. 
Musings masthead website

With proud hearts you are wished sincere congratulations on graduating. 
All your dreams can come true only if you have the courage to pursue them. May you always keep 
learning, growing, and realizing the best in yourself.
FridayMusings Survey of Leadership Performance and community satisfaction--
Take five and take part in the survey.
Joyner As Musings heads into our second decade, it could be third depending on how you look at it, I thought it might be interesting to look at developing a baseline of attitude on leadership and community. In this issue I have included a private survey to ask your opinions on some of our elected officials from the President through to our Mayor. Also let's take a look at how favorable you hold our community, city, state, county and schools.

Look forward to more occasional surveys.  And by all means please suggest topics or issues on which you would like to see what others are thinking.

Thank you for taking time to answer these opinion questions. Look for the results in FridayMusings on June 3rd. This will serve only to provide a snapshot in time of our readers thoughts on local and state leadership and community satisfaction. Only a snapshot.

Click here to be taken to the survey. I can't wait to see how our elected officials and communities rank in your opinion. Not my opinion. Yours !!

From Livonia to Midland with Love. Caitlin Jodway and Jessica Beaudoin making Livonia Proud.

Over the weekend 15 pallets filled with Livonia goodwill made its way to Midland. The trek to mid-Michigan was organized by Caitlin Jodway and Jessica Beaudoin with help from Two Men & A Truck.

Parked at Las Palapas on Plymouth Road people throughout the day Saturday stopped by with donated non-perishables and cash.

Over $1200 donated allowed more non perishables and hygiene items to be purchased at Aldi and Costco.

Feel good Livonia as when the truck arrived to help the Sandford/Edenville/Midland communities they were carrying the love of everyone calling Livonia home.

Caitlin Jodway  and  Jessica Beaudoin  are two of the many making and keeping Livonia Proud. Thanks for posting these pictures on Facebook so they could be shared with others who right now are reading with their mouths opened in amazement and pride.  
A Livonia Memorial Day Ceremony.  If you were at home all I can say is you missed a great one.
Maureen Miller Brosnan  summed up the feelings of many attending A Livonia Memorial Day Cerremony by acknowledging that it was " Such a beautiful tribute. Another example of Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church stepping in and doing what the community needs when it needs it. Thank you Rev. Kellie Whitlock and team."

People lined up in Mies Park, bringing their chairs with some sitting on the ground. Reverend Kellie Whitlock welcomed everyone to the Ceremony as first responders and retired military stood at attention next to the 23 crosses. Each representing one member of the armed services, retired or active, who commit suicide every day.
 
  
 Mayor Brosnan read off over 150 names of family  and friends, names that had been dropped off over the weekend as the display with bag pipes played every night.

As each name was read Sandra Main- Niemisto would ring a bell.

You looked around and saw faces that looked familiar, names read of parents of classmates. Two members of the city council, Cathy White and Brandon McCullough not in the spotlight but rather there just to be a part of an evening of appreciation for those who have passed away.

With a gentle breeze, the shade offered by the towering trees of Mies Park, the solemn atmosphere made for a special night as many had the name (s) of family members, friends and neighbors spoken by the Mayor. The typewriter smiled as Richard Joyner, US Army, was read off, memories cascading over me. The after dinner exercise routine on the front lawn--dad showing off the exercises he led the squad in every morning. Finding his diary of his tour in the Pacific Theatre. The stories of meeting his wife to be.

I know that the bodyguard was thinking the same about her father Louis Ventittelli, US Army. 

You could not participate in this without feeling a sense of remembrance. Remembrance of all those who came before us. Whether you served in the military or not there was a profound feeling of gratitude. And a hope that there would be a weekend like this the same time next year.  See you again Dad. 
Facebook helps the typewriter live vicariously--kayaking, hiking, bike riding.
Last week was the daily food of Cindy Immonen. Today the daily solitude of Mike Rudell.
The typewriter has been canoeing, never kayaking. Been hiking through New Mexico for three weeks. Okay I was 15 years old at Philmont Scout Ranch. Had a bike until the doctor said No, it would not be good for my back. So when I stumbled on Mike Rudell's Facebook page I knew that I had found my daily reading and living vicariously through the adventures of Mike who traveled through parks and lakes. From Livonia to the Detroit River to Walled Lake to Traverse Bay.

If only I could. Those who can't, Read. That's me. Thanks Mike for the whistful thoughts of the solitude found in hiking and boating.

In the woods on Old Mission Peninsula in Grand Traverse Bay
Tucked away off Old Novi Road on the shores of Walled Lake, there are miles of trails for bikers and hikers and it's supremely quiet
A beautiful evening on the Detroit River!

Wow! Kayaking around the tip of this peninsula was magical! I found a beutiful, secluded kayak launch into the west arm of Grand Travers Bay. I was isolated and felt the quietness and solitude of the moment deeply. An amazing experience I'll never forget.









Let's have Mike Rudell explain his 20 combination of biking, kayaking and hiking:

Today I biked 20 miles, kayaked 10 miles and hiked 5 miles! I also managed to take some photos on Grassy Island and at Elizabeth Park (which it technically an island too!).

I found a brick from 1901 on Grassy Island; made by the Bessemer Company. How cool is that? I photographed a Mama goose going after a poor pair of Mallard Ducks that accidentally drifted too close to her babies. I was happy to get a couple pictures of a cardinal and bluejay. Elizabeth Park is flooded due to high water and I actually had to take off my shoes and walk through part of the river that had overflowed into the park!  It was a fabulous day to be in nature.

To follow Mike Rudell's experience in parks wide and far during this pandemic check out his Facebook page. 
 
Announcing more endorsements for Penny Crider, Martha Ptashnik, Laurie Pohutsky

FridayMusings has been sharing endorsements by the three candidates seeking the Republican nomination for State Representative, Martha Ptashnik, Penny Crider and Regina Gargus.

The winner will square off against the Democratic incumbent State Representative Laurie Pohutsky.

Penny Crider, Republican

Penny Crider shares the endorsements of two prominent Livonia businessmen and one former State Representative.s

Crider says that she is "So appreciative of this incredible endorsement from Pastor and former Michigan State Representative Jeff Noble."


She also comments that she is proud to announce the endorsement of George Dimopoulos owner of George's Senate Restaurant's. "In 1969, Dimopoulos immigrated to Detroit from his native Greece. George Dimopolous brought the chain to Plymouth Road in Livonia in 1985, which is primarily run today by his sons, Niko and Steven. He has made many donations to churches, schools, nonprofit organizations and needy families for decades. His effort to provide free meals to hundreds of people who are alone each Thanksgiving garnered national media attention in recent years. Dimopoulos said his personal experience moves him to provide these meals. The Livonia Chamber of Commerce recognized the Plymouth Road location as its outstanding small business of the year in 2010. Thank you George for your support."

Crider is also "happy to announce that Roger Little, the owner of Shooters Service has endorsed my campaign for State Rep. Shooters Service has called Livonia it's home since 1977 and I pray that they come out of this lock down stronger than ever."

Martha Ptashnik, Republican

And while Crider has picked up these three endorsements Martha Ptashnik says she is "honored to have been endorsed by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan PAC. Let's get Michigan back to work, safely!"

At the same time Ptashnik is "
honored to have been named the "Freedom Fighter of the Month" by the Michigan Freedom Fund." The "Freedom Fighter of the Month" is an award created by the Freedom Fund to recognize those individuals who are diligently working to defend taxpayers and protect our Constitutional freedoms.

In making the Freedom Fund announcement Tony Daunt, Executive Director, says that Ptashnik has been a strong advocate for her students and her community."

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) in endorsing Ptashnik says that "now more than ever (we) are looking for leaders who will defend freedom in the marketplace, promote fair and open competition."

Laurie Pohutsky, incumbent. State Representative, Democrat

I ncumbent State Representative Laurie Pohutsky has also picked up several endorsements, the SEIU Michigan State Council, the 
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, Congresswoman Haley Stevens and The Sierra Club.





Musings follows the 2020 elections
Vote
None have been certified by Board of Canvassers


Donald J. Trump (I) (R)

Joe Biden (D)


United States Senate
Gary Peters (D-I)

Bob Carr (R)

John James (R)

United States House of Representatives
Haley Stevens (D-I)
Endorsed by:
Michigan Education Association

Frank Acosta (R)

Kerry Bentivolio (R)


Whitney Williams (R)
Endorsed by:

Eric Esshaki (R)

Michigan House of Representatives
Laurie Pohutsky (D-I)
Endorsed by:
Sierra Club
Clean Water Action
SEIU
Emily's List
 Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan
Michigan Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
Congresswoman Haley Stevens

Endorsed by:
Former State Representative Jerry Vorva
Former State Representative Kurt Heise
Former State Representative Jeff Noble
George Dimopoulos owner of George's Senate
Lynn Mills
Canton Township Supervisor Pat Williams
Roger Little, owner of Shooters Service

Martha Ptashnik (R)
Endorsed by:
City Council President Kathleen McIntyre
Former State Representative John Walsh
Former Livonia City Councilman Brian Meakin
Former State Representative John Pastor
Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki
Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP)
Michigan Freedom Network

Wayne County Commissioner
Terry Marecki (R-I)

Nancy Darga (D)

Schoolcraft College Trustee
Brian Broderick (I)
Joan Gebhardt (I)
Terry Gilligan (I)

Livonia Board of Education
FridayMusings endorses the following  4:
Dan Centers (I)
Karen Bradford (I)
Tammy Bonifield (I)
Crystal Frank (I)

Clarenceville Board of Education
Matt Boettcher (I)
Brenda Uren (I)
Shari Krazel (I) 
Jeffrey Bunker (I)
Musings follows Livonia Happenings
May in Livonia
Every night M-F @ 7:00
Every Tuesday @ 12:00 - 12:00

June in Livonia
June 19 @ 7:00 - 9:00
Angela Hospice Rock n' Raffle
Virtual Concert


July in Livonia
July 13

July 25 @ 9:00 -- 2:00
Touch-a-Truck sponsored by 
Rotary AM is cancelled

August in Livonia
Livonia All-stars v Red Wings Alumni
is cancelled

Scottish Highland Games
Greenmead Historic Village
cancelled
September in Livonia
Bob Bennett Memorial Golf Outing
Date to be determined

September 13 @ 12:00
September 16 @ 10:30 -- 1:30
Livonia Town Hall Series
St. Mary Cultural Center
Gioia Diliberto 
a journalist/biographer/novelist

October in Livonia
October 1 @ 7:00
Hall of Fame 2013
Presenting Sponsor:
Dan MacIver
Financial & Portfolio Advisors
Proud sponsor of the 
1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame
Another creative fundraiser. This time for Angela Hospice.
































Ford Motor Company says thank you.
Executives of Ford Motor Company recently recognized AlphaUSA for its role in company's efforts to serve frontline workers. We are proud of our AlphaUSA team and appreciate the acknowledgement and the chance to do our part.

In an email to the AlphaUSA team, Ford executives commented that...
"All of us at Ford Motor Company appreciate the hard work done to bring our humanitarian objectives to fruition"

Later,in a letter from Ford, it was written....
"We are so proud that, as a team, we turned incredible challenges into opportunities and now reality. We want to personally recognize you and your teams for your tremendous accomplishments. We again salute you and all the goodness you helped create."

AlphaUSA is always ready to serve its community, and is honored to have a role in Ford's current humanitarian mission.










Dan MacIver offers up a slice of Livonia History. 

YOU GOTTA LOVE LIVONIA.
Communication and update from Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan 
The State of Michigan is expanding who can qualify for COVID-19 testing. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who is, have been working out of your home for more than 10 days or live in a congregate care setting, you now qualify to be tested.

You can find more information about testing facilities and other resources on our COVID-19 information page:

https://www.livonia.gov/1825/COVID-19-Information

Our neighbors react to some of the articles in Musings
Reaction to Dan MacIver and the Best Kept Secrets -- John Dufour 

Robert Biga Livonia had its highest population of 110,109 in 1970. Median age was under 18. John was a remarkable individual. One of two Dearborn employees who left to help shape Livonia. Harry Tatigian city Attorney was the other. Both made significant contributions to what we enjoy today.

Brandon McCullough Could use a few more ice arenas!