June 3, 2020      FridayMusings.com       Your News source for All Livonia.    All the time.    All ways positive. 

Congratulations Livonia Class of 2020
Reaching out and extending a hand of help. Another church in our faith community stands tall.

FridayMusings has found yet another member of our Livonia faith community that is reaching out to help those in need. 

Christ our Savior Lutheran Church on Farmington Road about 1/4 mile north of I-96. The pantry is open on Fridays from 10-12. 

They have food to help people with no residency requirement. If you have children or family members living outside of Livonia then by all means have them stop by Christ our Savior Lutheran Church this Friday.

 Thank you Christ our Savior for reaching out. Musings will help you spread the word. And thank you Cynthia Windecker for dropping a dime on the typewriter to make him aware of this generous church reaching out program.
Chief Curtis Caid saddened by the death of George Floyd. He respects peaceful protests.
This letter from Livonia Police Chief Curtis Caid was posted Monday on the Livonia Police Department Facebook page:

Like all of you, we at the Livonia Police Department are shocked and saddened by the loss of George Floyd's life in Minneapolis. As we have seen across the nation, many protests have occurred in response to this and yesterday, a peaceful group assembled at the Livonia Police Department and Livonia City Hall.

I had the opportunity to meet with this group and discuss the training and community outreach efforts conducted by Livonia PD, one of which is "Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust" (ALPACT). ALPACT is a great group where community leaders and law enforcement come together to increase communication and understanding. As we serve our community, and as a regional partner in Southeast Michigan, the members of the Livonia PD are committed to these ideals. Even though this tragedy occurred in Minnesota, this incident has done tremendous damage to the relationships that we have fostered. Know that we are committed to re-building those relationships and creating an even stronger bond.

We respect the rights of those who wish to protest in a peaceful manner, however, violence or destruction of property is unacceptable and undermine the message. If you intend to organize a demonstration/protest, we can assist to help provide a safe and legal event. Our contact is Lt. Petsch at 734-466-2387. As demonstrated in the video clips from Sunday's protest, dialogue and conversation are the best methods to express your views and get through these challenging times, together. Stay Safe.
Livonia Citizens Caring About Black Lives schedule a hometown demonstration this Sunday
In keeping up to speed on current Livonia activities FridayMusings is sharing that a newly formed group, Livonia Citizens Caring About Black Lives  is organizing a peaceful demonstration for this Sunday at 4:00 pm. 

The demonstration is to begin at the Livonia City Hall.

Natalie Whitbread Barnes, one of the moderators of the groups Facebook page explains that "we have made it very clear to our members that this will be a PEACEFUL protest. We will have speakers, people who will share their personal stories. This is NOT an attack on the Livonia Police Department.

"We respect all the hardworking police officers, and the work they do to keep our community safe. However, something in the system is broken and we need to fix it. I hope you will join us."
Readers of FridayMusings express their views on our elected officials and our communities
When Musings readers were asked to rate elected officials on a scale of 1 -- 5 with one being the lowest and five being the best the cumulative ranking from the highest to the lowest was:

4.6     Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan
4.1     Congresswoman Haley Stevens

3.9     Governor Gretchen Whitmer
3.9     State Senator Dayna Polehanki
3.8     Representative Laurie Pohutsky
3.6     U.S. Senator Gary Peters

1.7     President Donald Trump


Some of the comments (merely a representative sample) left by those who completed the above survey included:

I'm glad our state and local leaders represent all their constituents w/o malice!
Mayor Brosnan is doing a very good job. Very innovative.
  Not at all satisfied with Trump is not strong enough language.

Trump must go! 
Maureen needs more time to evaluate.
We need more women

Officials should be public servants, not self-interested, with concern for those in need at this difficult time. 

Politics aside, 45 (Trump) is a public health and national security menace (it's like the mafia is in the White House). He and his hangers-on are personally responsible for having divided this country more than since the Civil War. I weep for Republicans of conscience in these days of their party being hijacked by corporate oligarchy and the religious right. I cringe that the MAGA crowd cannot or will not see the racism and misogyny inherent in their party message and "governance". 

The current public health crisis was not on anyone's radar last year. if it had been, with the need for a crisis manager skill set an issue in the mayor's race, I suspect Maureen would have won by a larger margin. She's done a fabulous job as a dynamic and proactive leader.

When Musings readers were asked to rate various governmental units on a scale of 1 -- 5 with one being the lowest and give being the best the cumulative ranking from the highest to the lowest was:

4.6     City of Livonia
4.3     Clarenceville Public Schools
4.1     State of Michigan
4.1     Livonia Public Schools

2.9     Wayne County

Some of the comments (merely a representative sample) left by those who completed the above survey included:

The Governor is doing a good job, all things considered. 
Even though there are those who strongly disagree with the governor's stay at home plan, I think she's really looking out for us. I've learned a new way to shop and visit my doctor. We've been quarantined since February. It's annoying, but we're still alive. 

Livonia is in a slow death spiral brought on by Republican domination of every public entity. Council, School board,   Until that stranglehold can be broken it is dark days ahead. 

Demonstrators in Lansing have embarrassed our state.

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
UniteHere! Local 24
Iron Workers Local Union No. 25 
 Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan
Michigan Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
Congresswoman Haley Stevens

Endorsed by:
Former State Senator Patrick Colbeck
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
Former State Senator Mike Kowall

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
Former State Senator Mike Kowall

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
June in Livonia

Every Tuesday 11:00 -- - 1:00
June 6 @1:00 - 2:30
Nancy Darga is running for Wayne County Board of Commissioners and wants to hear what you want to see in Wayne County.

June 7 @ 4:00

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

July in Livonia
July 13
July 25 -- August 8
Summer MT Intensive High School Students

August in Livonia
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


COVID-19 does not get in the way of love or celebrating birthdays


Love beats COVID-19 every time! One of the authorities vested in our mayor is marrying people. 

This past weekend she pronounced David Kingston and her Bookclub girlfriend  Jill Johnson Sochor  husband and wife in her first ever marriage ceremony. 

Her wish for them "is that the sunshine and deep, determined love they felt that day remains in their hearts forever. Congratulations Jill & David!"

No way was COVID-19 going to get in the way of love and marriage. No way.


Happy birthday to active Livonia resident Marge Roach. On Monday Marge turned 83 and her granddaughter arranged a  drive-by birthday parade. 

Mayor Maureen Brosnan commented that "Marge has seen a lot as a 12-year veteran of the Livonia Public Schools Board of Trustees. Bet Marge never thought she'd see that in her lifetime."

Eileen Matzelt McDonnell added that "It was a very nice surprise for Marge. I know she appreciated everyone who stopped by. Marge is a wonderful woman."
Livonia Park Playground equipment now open.
And so too is the dog park. Not wow. BOW WOW.
Your Town - Livonia Dog Park Grand Opening
Your Town - Livonia Dog Park Grand Opening
On Tuesday, June 1, the City of Livonia Dog Park and playgrounds opened for your use. 

With the reopening of the Dog Park lets also take a look back on the Grand Opening of the Park in June, 2018 with Ted Davis, Superintendent of Livonia Parks and Recreation and then Mayor Dennis Wright.

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan comments on the opening of the Dog Park after it was closed for nearly 3 months. "Thank you for your continued patience during this unprecedented time. We are all continually learning and re-learning during this initial period of adjustment. We are asking that participants follow some additional safety measures for yourself, your child and your four-legged friends."

COVID-19 GUIDELINES FOR DOG PARK AND PLAYGROUNDS:
  • Practice social distancing - remain 6 feet apart
  • We ask that users abide by one person/one dog, to limit gatherings at the dog park
  • Masks recommended for all park users
  • Practice good hygiene, wash your hands after visiting the dog park and playgrounds
  • Stay home if you, your child or your dog are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19
Questions/Concerns? Call (734) 466-2298



Dan MacIver offers up a slice of Livonia History.
Livonia roads Part Two 



YOU GOTTA LOVE LIVONIA.
Communication and update from Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan 
The Livonia City Council unanimously approves a temporary ordinance change allowing Livonia restaurants to submit plans to expand outdoor seating. The ordinance would expire Oct. 31 and would take effect when Gov. Whitmer allows restaurants to open for in-person dining.  Look for information on applications soon.

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


Proud sponsor of the   1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame
Endorsements picking up for Ptashnik and Crider.
But this one is confusing. One man endorsing both.


Two candidates each announcing the endorsement of Mike Kowall candidate for Oakland County Executive. This is one that the typewriter really doesn't understand.
Do You?