June 11, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia
670,036 total words written since Mar 10, 2019
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Livonia Police Chief Curtis Caid sets retirement plan.
Captain Thomas Goralski will be next leader of LPD
After 10 years as Chief of Police and a 42-year career with the Livonia Police Department, Chief Curtis Caid is announcing his upcoming retirement.
“It’s been a true honor to serve the Livonia community for over four decades,” said Caid. “In my time as Police Chief, I have witnessed the incredible commitment of service by many elected leaders, fellow City department heads, and leaders in this community.”
“As for the sworn and civilian members of the Livonia Police Department,” Caid added, “I could not be more proud of each of them and their families. They are an amazing group of compassionate professionals dedicated to serve and protect while ensuring Livonia remains a safe community to live, work and play in. Tragically, this commitment comes at a cost. Livonia has lost four police officers in the line of duty, and we must always remember their sacrifice and service in keeping Livonia a Families First community.”
“Chief Caid will be retiring after 10 years of inspired leadership and a career of dedicated service for our community,” said Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan. “I am extremely grateful for his work in keeping Livonia safe while tackling new challenges such as the new Crisis Support Team, which adds social workers to assist police in mental health crises.”
Mayor Brosnan is excited to announce Livonia Police Captain Thomas Goralski has been selected to be the next Chief of Police, effective in January 2022.
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With the recent retirements of Police Captains Ron Taig and Daniel McKeon, who had 68 years of combined leadership experience, Mayor Brosnan has implemented an intentionally extended transition plan. Chief Caid’s retirement will be effective Jan 1, 2022, at which point Capt. Goralski will be promoted to Chief of Police. Until then, any time that Chief Caid is out of the office, Goralski will serve as Acting Chief of Police.
“As incoming chief, Capt. Goralski is a respected leader whose experience is key in this transition,” said Mayor Brosnan. “Capt. Goralski will continue our Police Department’s track record of exceptional leadership. As a longtime Livonia resident, Capt. Goralski is intimately familiar with our community and how essential the Police Department is to our community’s success.”
“I am honored to have Mayor Brosnan’s trust in my leadership ability,” said Capt. Goralski, “and I look forward to working with her, the entire Livonia Police Department family, and the City Council on the work of keeping our community safe and informed.”
Capt. Goralski is a graduate of Madonna University, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the prestigious FBI National Academy for Police Executives. He began his career in the Livonia Police Department in 1989 and has served more than five years on the administrative team.
“Capt. Goralski is the right choice as the next leader of the Livonia Police Department,” said Chief Caid. “He has the experience and perspective needed to continue the Department’s vital work for the Livonia Community.”
Capt. Goralski began his career in the Livonia Police Department 32 years ago and is currently the Support Services Division Commander. Over his career, Capt. Goralski has been assigned to several positions within the various Divisions of the Police Department, including Uniform Patrol Officer, Special Operations Unit, Intelligence Bureau, Uniform Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Operations Lieutenant, Patrol Commander, Officer in Charge of the Intelligence Bureau, and Officer in Charge of the Detective Bureau.
He has proudly served on the Livonia Police Honor Guard and has served as Driving Coordinator of the Emergency Vehicle Operation Training Unit. Capt. Goralski is currently the Commanding Officer of the Western Wayne County Crisis Negotiators Team.
He is a graduate of Madonna University and Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He has attended the Central Michigan University Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Institute, the FBI – Law Enforcement Executive Development Institute, and the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police New Chiefs School. Capt. Goralski is a graduate of the FBI National Academy for Police Executives, Class #268.
He is married with two children and a longtime resident of Livonia.
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Livonia Art Supporters are thrilled
that the Fine Arts Gallery is
once again open!
The first exhibit is titled “Let’s Zoom”. The installation was envisioned by Lincoln Park artist Marta Carvajal, curated by Amanda Koss, with support from Detroit Potter Debbie LaPratt.
The artists were requested to create self-portraits reflecting their experience living a year within a pandemic, going virtual and all of those zoom calls! They have responded and their work is incredible.
Some of the artists include: Rosemary Summers, Pat Baker, Ellen Doyle, Kelly O'Neill, Dione Tripp. We also have some promising up and coming young adult artists as well. Artists have come as far as Grand Rapids to be a part of this panel installation.
Together, through art, we are united!
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It’s coming. No Cook Monday's
Starting this coming Monday June 14 (running through the end of September) there will be food trucks parked in the parking lot of Grace Church on Lyndon and Harrison from 4:30-7:30.
It is set up to have different trucks each week (including dessert trucks!! Yum!!) with hopefully a minimum of two trucks every week if not more.
Please spread the word and feel free to invite anyone you would like!! The better turn out they get hopefully even more trucks will want to show up for the next week.
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Today's Snapshot of the Council race |
Not a week goes by that I am not asked who I think will win the November Council election.
Well, first, the election is nearly 5 months away. Way too early.
And, second, we need to wait and see the type of campaigning the candidates will do.
But, if you were to ask my opinion it would be relatively easy to offer up the first three at this snapshot in time 5 months before the election.
Incumbents Jolly, Toy and Donovic should coast to the top three positions with Jolly and Toy fighting it out for the top job of Council President. Donovic could be the outsider looking in after his one year call-up in the Army. But for now he is on the inside for re-election.
That leaves, at this point, two candidates lining up for the 4th spot and the two year term. Dan Centers who has key name recognition and the ability to raise money with significant support from organizations and hometown leaders, past and present.
Carrie Budzinski is shaping up as the best retail candidate in the field, working the street and netowrking with residents, seeking more endorsements of residents and not of elected officials. She has been putting into practice her policies. A real positive.
Bet on these two in the race for #4. Remember that is at this point in time.
If Donovic falters as he did 2 years ago, spending over $30,00, and nearly losing to a candidate who spent $5,000, then look for Centers and Budzinski taking #3 ane #4.
Ken Overwater is an impressive candidate but it remains to be seen if he can raise the money and with grassroots support move up to challenge Centers or Budzinski.
Scott Morgan, past President of the police union, stands a chance to move up and battle for the #4 position. He could parlay support from the conservative city officials, Scheel, Bahr and MacIntyre. It is not clear how his strong and active support of Mayor Brosnan in the last election will play out. Not enough is yet known about Morgan.
The race is crowded for the four positions up for grabs. At this point it is shaping up with two candidates in the hunt for #4 and two candidates on the outside looking to move up.
Only a snapshot and the picture could change as we get closer to the September mailing of Absentee Ballots.
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State Senator, (D-Livonia) says protecting our environment and Great Lakes will always be a top priority." |
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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 information from all candidates. FridayMusings has not made any endorsements but will in September.
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Dan Centers for Livonia City Council:
"Come knock some doors with Team Centers to ensure we have enough votes to cross the finish line successful on November 2nd."
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Ken Overwater for Livonia City Council:
"As Livonia is poised to recover from the COVID pandemic, I want our small businesses and workers to have the support they need to thrive. It is essential that we get folks back to work safely.
"Over the past year, our resilient small business community has stepped up, found creative solutions, and kept our city moving.
"I want to make sure Livonia is a place where entrepreneurs can bring their dreams to life. That means fair zoning decisions, building community coalitions, and incentives that make sense for Livonia."
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Rob Donovic for Livonia City Council:
"Very happy to return from the Middle East and be home with family and friends. I’m very grateful for the amount of support I’ve received from our city, Livonia truly is a family's first community.
"I was able to serve with dedicated soldiers who love our country and all came home safe to their families and communities, which is most important."
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Carrie Budzinski for Livonia City Council:
"On Sundays, we knock doors in different neighborhoods for our family walk time. Let me know if you want to join us, can do your neighborhood on your walks, or simply want us to come say hi."
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Meet up with these honorary corn roasters
Madeline Costa, Brandon McCullough, Laurie Pohutsky, Dan Centers
Dayna Polehanki, Rob Donovic, Susan Nash, Lynda Scheel, Liz Jarvis
Jim Jolly, Terry Marecki
Meet up with these community organizations
Blessings in a BackPack, Livonia Save our Youth, Seedlings
Livonia Rotary AM Club, The ARC NW. Red Wings v Livonia All-Stars
Rosedale Presbyterian Church, Livonia Civic Chorus,
Livonia Republican Club, Livonia PFLAG, Livonia Symphony Orchestra
Livonia Community Foundation, Livonia Education Foundation
Livonia Visual Arts Association, Livonia Parks and Recreation
Livonia Democratic Club, Community Financial Credit Union
Livonia Sustainability Comm, Livonia Be Kind, Wayne County/Terry Marecki
State of Michigan/Dayna Polehanki
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