June 10, 2020 Your News source for All Livonia. All the time. All ways positive.
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What a difference just one hometown historic* public schools principal can make.
Monday was his lunch time singing and today it is his night time reading adventures. |
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Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Oquist speaks up on the strife and sadness of many in our school community following the death of George Floyd.
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Local leaders continue to speak out on the pain and suffering following the death of George Floyd. FridayMusings has received this letter from Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Oquist. She joins Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan, Councilmen Jim Jolly and Brandon McCullough, Clarenceville Public Schools Superintendent, St. Nancy Jamroz, Felician Sisters, Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church who have issued statements and which were reported in FridayMusings, June 5th:
 I write to you at the end of a week which has brought strife and sadness to the hearts and minds of many within our school community, following the tragic death of George Floyd, the aftermath of which has continued to unfold throughout our nation. For some, the focus has been on talking and sharing a passionate message with others about the injustices before us in our country. For others, the focus has been on listening, learning and leaning in to better understand.
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
~ Maya Angelou
For many years, this has been an impactful message to me as a leader. Never more so than now.
In a conversation with a colleague today, he shared, "The only thing I ask of others is that they lead with an open mind and an open heart." How impactful it would be if the interactions between individuals throughout our world followed this mantra? The intention of our Community with Character work within our district is to bring this forth as a foundation of our interactions with one another.
Over the past two years, our district's Engagement in Equity committee has worked to better understand the needs of all our students, specifically our students of color. The events that have transpired over these past days have shown us the importance of this work continuing, and growing. In our work, we have engaged in dialogue that has spanned a continuum surrounding the remarkable responsibility we have within our school community. Our responsibility to be places where every child, parent and member of our staff is welcomed and cared for; is treated with dignity and respect; is valued and understood for the individual they are. This past year, our work extended into ongoing training with Dr. Virginia Winters and Dr. Alyn Moore from Wayne County RESA, who have facilitated our learning and our dialogue in very powerful ways. We are eager to move forward together so as we know better, we do better.
"Far too often, people think of themselves as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity
." Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
We seek the opportunity to learn, grow and make meaningful change that supports the wonderful and amazing students entrusted to us, because each step taken within ourselves, within our community, strengthens us all.
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| Livonia resident made an impact on the anti-slavery movement in the 1850's. Thanks again to Kathy Bilger for detailing the involvement of Harriet deGarmo Fuller in the anti-slavery movement. |
 Livonia resident and teacher at the Log Seminary School just west of Newburgh on Six Mile, actually Waterford Street as it was named at the time, Harriet deGarmo Fuller was a tireless worker for the abolition of slavery and the rights of women, standing with her husband, Edwin, and other members of her family at countless meetings and fairs.
 In 1853 Harriet and her husband were founders in the formation of the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society with Harriet serving as a vice president of the Society at its founding. The Fullers traveled throughout southern Michigan and northern Indiana and Ohio, organizing antislavery meetings, fund raising events, and giving lectures.
Edwin and Cyrus Fuller were part of the group of men that petitioned the Michigan Legislature for the incorporation of the Union Society of Livonia in 1850. The society sold shares and built the Union Society building in 1851 for the sum of $571. This building is a Greek Revival building currently in use by the Trinity Theater.
The Union Society building was believed by many to be a part of the Underground Railroad.
An antislavery newspaper mentions that the meeting of the Antislavery society took place 3 miles outside of Plymouth. This could be on the farms of Edwin and Cyrus or at the Union Society building. The article mentions that Sojourner Truth was there and sang a song.
The Anti-Slavery Society newspaper, The Bugle, lists Harriet Fuller as the agent for the newspaper in Livonia on March 14, 1857
Harriet De Garmo Fuller was inducted into the Livonia City 1835 Hall of Fame Class of 2018 for her work locally, statewide and nationally for the antislavery movement.
As a leader in the movement, she worked tirelessly to free slaves, to bring attention to the cause and to aid people in securing their freedom. She risked herself, her family and their property in order to help those whose lives were at great risk.
As the Antislavery Society recording secretary, she could have destroyed the records of the organization but kept them safe so that generations after her can gain an understanding of the work and times. While many of her neighbors were in sympathy for her cause, working on a national level, she was bound to attract those who would silence all abolitionists.
Harriet made a difference in Livonia as she brought the cause of the Anti-Slavery movement to the township. Livonia became known as a center for the movement through Harriet's speeches around the state and country.
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Livonia's historian Kathy Bilger fills us in on the first protest to denounce
treatment of blacks in Livonia. 1841. |
2000 people took to the streets of Livonia Sunday to make a statement that Black Lives Matter but this wasn't the first time they did it.
Surprised?
Almost exactly 179 years to the day, Livonia stood strong for the same reason. June 6, 1841 was the date.
Rev. Marcus Swift, the circuit preacher and well-known abolitionist, whose church is at Greenmead, sent a letter signed by his members to the Methodist church. The Methodist Church refused to denounce sl
avery, so the people quit.
Many other Methodist churches did the same. The letter calls out the bishops for " A direct contribution to the oppression of the poor of Christ's flock on account of their colour and the wickedness of their laws..." It cites "our views of religion, the principles of justice and humanity" and the people will continue as a church but will join the Wesleyan movement.
Livonia started out protesting black lives matter in 1841 and continued with a protest in 2020.
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Eating out on the first day. So many options. So welcomed.
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Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan: When it's the first day restaurants are open in a post-COVID world you gotta head to  your favorite Livonia eatery, order your favorite wine with cheese tortellini and palomino sauce topped off with a lemon tiaramisu. Thanks Tommy. You always make it special.
The typewriter:
FridayMusings drove wide and far to find a cafe open for customers to come inside and order. Found The Tuscan. One entrance door. One exit only door. Masks everywhere. 50% occupancy. And my favorite green tea. Felt real comfortable. Only 1 person inside. I set outside. Had to try it on Day
number one. Thanks Will. You made my day.
Brandon and Kacie McCullough picked their favorable and this picture shows it, "Glad to be back
Wintergarden Tavern Livonia
! It's been too long!"
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Musings follows our city elected officials
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Livonia City Council Study Meeting -
June 8, 2020
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Livonia City Council Regular Meeting -
June 8, 2020
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Musings follows the 2020 elections
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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
Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43
Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union
Michigan Nurses Association
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)
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| Musings follows Livonia Happenings |
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June in Livonia
Angela Hospice Rock n' Raffle
Virtual Concert
July in Livonia
July 13
July 20 @ 5:00
Deadline for Zonta Scholarship
Click on flyer for contact information
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
Presenting Sponsor:
Dan MacIver
Financial & Portfolio Advisors
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| Livonia Citizens Black Books Drive Fundraiser |
Carrie Budzinski is organizing a Livonia Citizens Black Books Drive fundraiser. Donate by clicking here.
 Let's put the passion of Livonia Citizens Caring About Black Lives to good and immediate use. Money used from this fundraiser will be used to purchase children's books with black characters and/or black authors, purchased from the black-owned book stores listed below. The books will be donated to the Livonia Public Library to expand its offering of diverse stories.
When books are donated to the library, they put a sticker on the inside cover recognizing the donor and we will ask it to read 'Livonia Citizens Caring About Black Lives'.
Small steps make a big difference and by expanding the number of books featuring black characters in the library's collection we can help normalize diversity for children who may not otherwise be exposed to it.
Carrie Budzinski explains here involvement by saying that she doesn't normally jump into the pot but I feel the call to take a more active leadership role these days, especially in my community. Livonia is a predominately white city with a complicated past and present. The library is close to my heart and I want to help it increase the number of books with black characters/authors in the Children's Department. When it's normal to see someone who looks different, there's less of a difference. I believe diverse stories can help kids and parents see themselves and, more so in Livonia, see other people more clearly. If you have $5 or $10 to donate I believe this is a small way we could make a bigger difference, I'll be buying the books from black-owned booksellers too."
Maureen Miller Brosnan was quick to respond, "I'm in! Hoping others see this as one small, yet effective way of promoting diversity and inclusion in our community. Thank you Carrie Budzinski for organizing this. Proud to have appointed you to the Livonia Library Commission." |
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The Klisz Little Library that could. Is.
This Thursday hundreds of free books. For real.
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The Klisz Family Little Library is hosting a Free Book Fair. Seems that a friend donated a few hundred books (mostly new). They include Fiction, non-Fiction, Children's, Young adult, and inspirational.
Where: 34780 Perth
When: This Thursday June 11th
Time: 9:00-4:00
In their garage.
She promised she would find these books a good home!
They are FREE! Join the fun!
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Dan MacIver offers up a slice of Livonia history.
If you don't like them, those are fightin words. |
Just a few thoughts from Musings readers on our last issue.
The rest are all over social media. And there are a lot. |
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Lyn Bankes, former Wayne County Commissioner: I am excited to endorse Nancy Darga for Wayne County Commission. She clearly has the proven experience and vision to move Wayne county forward. Many residents from Livonia, Plymouth, and Northville went on my Wayne County bus tours, created by Nancy, to learn the history of Hines Park, the Ford Village industries and Schools. She also would not have allowed Parrenville school basement to have been covered with dirt with all the historical artifacts in it. There was a great deal of Pewabic tile that was not retrieved so I've been told.
Stephanie Allen Thanks for your insightful reporting. I was at the march and it was wonderful.
Richard H Woltman Social Change isn't easy. To some it is too uncertain. To others it hopefully means progress for all. Tolerance is key and humanity is Not perfect.
Barbara Harlow Thank you for bringing the images of the walk to those of us who could not be there.
Heather Douglas Some people will fight back at the idea of any and all change. They are satisfied with things the way they are... Same people different issue. So proud of my hometown right now, sorry I missed it!
Sherry Klisz What a inspiring column this week! Sorry Tom and I were unable to participate in the walk but we were there in spirit! Tell Kathy I ❤️ her posing with Big Boy to honor Cancer survivors. Hope to see both of you this summer!
Tamara Oliverio Beautiful write up Bill. Curious with all your historical connections...are you aware of any other protests / rallies of this size in the city's history? (typewriter: certainly not of this magnitude)
Kathleen Bilger My favorite sign is vote here. Vote, vote and vote. Vote for the next president but also vote for your next school board. Local elections determine so much of how you live.
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Livonia continues communicating regarding COVID-19
You gotta love Livonia |
The CVS at Nine Mile and Haggerty Road is now a drive-up coronavirus testing facility. An online screening is available at the location's website, which also allows you to schedule an appointment.
The Livonia Fire Department continues to provide COVID-19 antibodies testing to City employees, including members of the engineering, inspection and public works departments.
To view our Situation Report online, please visit by clicking here.
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| Commissioner Marercki announces another Livonia paving project |
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Proud sponsor of the
1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame
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