May 31, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia
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Tributes pour in for Gerald "Joe" Taylor
The typewriter is sad to report that Livonia has lost another giant whom we can credit with so much that is so good about Livonia. It will be hard to forget someone like Joe Taylor who gave us so much to remember. His good friend Mayor Jack Engebretson was the first to call the typewriter and he opened up by saying "we lost a good man."
Sentiments honoring Taylor began circulating on Facebook with the message posted by Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan summing up what many were thinking. The picture of Brosnan and Taylor was shared on the Facebook page of Brosnan:
"Livonia lost a great leader with the passing of Gerald “Joe” Taylor. From sidewalks to site plans, from serving on the Hearts of Livonia board to being the heart of Livonia, Joe Taylor represents all that is good and genteel about our city. As a councilman for 25 years, a member of the planning commission for eight years, a member of the ZBA for eight years and a member of the economic development commission for 30 years, Joe gave his life to Livonia, leading in the best way possible — with compassion and integrity.
"He was a mentor, friend and a champion, a true supporter at every stage of my life in public service. He taught me how to listen and ask the tough questions. He taught me how to do my homework and not make a decision without touring the site or talking to people. Joe even babysat my kids when I was needed at City Hall. But perhaps most importantly he taught me that my job as a leader is to weigh each decision on its own merits. I have no doubt that as the Good Lord weighs the merits of Joe Taylor’s life he will say, 'job well done my good and faithful servant.'"
Yes indeed, Livonia has lost another of our leaders who helped shape the town so many have come to call home. Taylor was inducted into the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2010.
Former Livonia State Senator and current County Commissioner Glenn S. Anderson expressed that he was "So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a great example of an honorable and dedicated public servant. I was proud to call him my friend and will miss him tremendously. May he Rest In Peace."
Former Livonia City Councilman Conrad Schwartz wrote "so many of Livonia's leaders have carried the heavy load (hours spent in meetings, making tough decisions, putting up with people that you didn't agree with, spending your own money etc.) that contributed to making Livonia great. Joe carried one of the heaviest loads for the longest time."
Judge Kathleen McCann commented that "Joe will be sorely missed, but there are a few guys waiting for him who will raise a toast when he joins them."
Retired Emerson Middle School teacher Linda Eagle-Trudell called him "A gentleman in every sense of the word. I still have one of his campaign magnets on my fridge! He will be missed."
Alan C. Helmkamp acknowledges that he was a "Class act; gentleman; loved our town. Will be long remembered."
Rick Hayes said that he "always ran into him at Joes Produce. Great man for sure...did good for our city!"
As funeral arrangements are announced FridayMusings will be sharing them with our readers.
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Time to schedule summertime
music "from the heart" and "summer fun"
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Time to Schedule Touch-a-Truck at Livonia's
Greenmead Historic Village August 28th
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Touch-a-Truck will take place on Saturday, August 28th from 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM at Greenmead Historic Village.
- The first two hours, 8:30 - 10:30, of the event will be "quiet time" where we request attendees refrain from sounding horns, sirens, etc in consideration of those sensitive to loud noises.
- Since this is a major fundraising event for our community, we are requesting donations at parking.
- The layout of the event will look slightly different this year to permit additional space between trucks. Because of this, parking will be located in a different location (details to be announced in mid-August).
- Since event guidelines have been relaxed, we are no longer required to pre-register guests as we had initially planned.
Grant Sobczak who came up with this program says that he is "absolutely thrilled to host this again and look forward to the date!"
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Time to Schedule the Livonia
Community Theatre's The Star Spangled Girl
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Join the Livonia Community Theatre August 12-14, for their first LIVE and IN-PERSON performance in 2021! It's Neil Simon's "The Star Spangled Girl"!
“Charm, brightness, deft inventiveness and capacity for good, honest hilarity.” – New York Post
“Mr. Simon can do wonders… with casually tossed-off fantasies that pop up from nowhere and whistle as they go by.” – The New York Times
Andy and Norman are two earnest young men using their apartment as a publishing office for a "protest" magazine in San Francisco. Sophie, an Olympic swimmer and all-American girl, moves into another apartment on the same floor. Sophie makes her first appearance paying a good-neighbor visit to the combination home and office of the two publishers. Her friendliness and charm leave Norman hopelessly smitten. Meanwhile, his partner is fielding telephone calls from the irate printer who wants to collect the money due him, and distracting the landlady from thoughts of back rent with motorcycle rides and surfing expeditions. And while she is convinced that they are editing a dangerously subversive magazine, Sophie soon finds that her real source of annoyance is that the wrong man is pressing his attentions on her. Happily this situation is reversed in time, as love and politics blend delightfully in a bubbling series of funny happenings, set forth with the masterly skill and inventiveness of Neil Simon.
The LCT is incredibly excited to be able to present live theatre again and hope you will be able to join them! Tickets are a suggested donation of $15 each, but any additional donations are greatly appreciated and allow them to continue their social mission in the Livonia and surrounding communities.
CAST:
Andy ............ David Culliton Norman .... Matt Raybaud Sophie ....... Mei-Lin Wong
Tickets are available online at:
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With the passing of Joe Taylor it caused the typewriter to pause and reflect on the reason in 2005 the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame was founded.
The reason is best summed up in a posting by Jim McCann, former Councilman, who wrote that Joe Taylor was a "Part of a group of poor Detroit kids who grew up together, moved to Livonia and helped each achieve success. They bought cottages together and stayed close friends their entire lives. He is the last of that great generation. I will miss him dearly."
The sentiment is right on point and we need, as a community, to try and not forget those who helped put in place the infrastructure we take pride in.
Pride ranging from our quality parks, library system, volunteerism. Programs that communities to the west of Livonia have patterned and cpied.
Why copy Livonia? Because of, as Conrad Schwartz wrote, the leaders "spent hours in meetings, making tough decisions, putting up with people that you didn't agree with, spending your own money etc.) that contributed to making Livonia great."
We should all take a minute and realize that history is not just the past ten years and we need to remember and thank those who came before us. Leaders like Joe Taylor.
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In 1976 the Livonia Bicentennial Committee dedicated the Elm School Bell at the site of the Livonia YMCA. It was to symbolize those who helped build our hometown and those who continue to build Livonia.
When the typewriter toured the new Livonia Athletic District with Kristie Hardie I raised the subject of her company donating the Bell and plaque to Livonia Parks and Recreation, the department overseeing Greenmead.
Ted Davis, Superintendent of the Department emailed me the day after saying that he had "reached out to Kristie, and we are going to take the bell and plaque for Greenmead."
Awesome.
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Keeping up with the Council candidates |
As candidates have campaign announcements to make FridayMusings will include them as we keep up to date on the campaign. We will include all candidate information from all candidates as FridayMusings has not made any endorsements but will endorse in September. |
All RSVP'd attendees will receive a Zoom link to attend virtually. All in-person guests will follow CDC COVID safety guidelines.
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Scott Morgan for Livonia City Council has scheduled a Campaign Kickoff Breakfast at the Senate Coney Island, 34359 Plymouth Road, hosted by Kathleen McIntyre, Scott Bahr, Cathy White, and Lynda Scheel, this Thursday. June 3rd, from 7:30 - 9:30 AM. The suggested donation is $100.
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Dan Centers for Livonia City Council is announcing his latest list of organizations that are supporting the campaign:
Livonia Firefighters IAFF Local #1164, Greater Detroit Building Trades Council, AFSCME Council 25, Bricklayers Local 2, Ironworkers Local 25 Pipefitters Local 636, Sheetmetal Workers Local 80.
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Jim Jolly for Livonia City Council: "I grew up in a union house so representing the interests of hardworking people and union values is important to me.
"I am proud to announce that I have received endorsements from Pipefitters Local 636, Detroit Plumbers Local 98, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 80, Iron Workers Local 25, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25 - that represents City of Livonia general employees."
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Carrie Budzinski For Livonia City Council is announcing that on Friday, June 11, starting at 8:00 AM she will be assisting Livonia residents that have been collecting hazardous waste at home because you don't know how to dispose of it, can sign up on the google form below, leave a bag/box of items on your porch on Friday, June 11th and it will be collected by her team for deposit at ERG Environmental Services on Merriman Road.
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Acceptable Items List: Oil-based paints, Motor Oil, Brake Fluid, Stain, Pool Chemicals, Used Computers
Paint Thinners Medications, Printers, Herbicides
Ammonia, Aerosol Cans, Pesticides, Gasoline, Propane
Household Cleaners, Antifreeze, Solvents, Batteries
Transmission Fluid, Wood Stripper, Electronics
Livonia residents can also bring hazardous household items to ERG at 13040 Merriman Road (located on the east side of the street, just north of Industrial Drive), Monday - Friday. Each drop-off is a flat $5 rate for 100lbs.
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