June 12, 2020       Your News source for All Livonia.    All the time.    All ways positive. 
Musings masthead website



Mayor  Maureen Miller Brosnan  joined councilman Rob Donovic in getting ready to hoist the  Congratulations  Class of 2020 banners along Five Mile and Farmington Roads. On hand as the banners were delivered to City Hall was project co-sponsor Dan MacIver, Clarenceville High School Principal Troy Nelson, Churchill High School Student Activities Director Paul Mercier, and Clarenceville students  Ashlyn MacIver , who will be attending Oakland University and Chase Kluesner, soon to start at Grand Valley State University. Donovic took his idea to MacIver and the rest is history. Add in the support of Brosnan along with the city employees who will put up the signs and soon another statement that underscores how proud Livonia is of the Class of 2020.
You don't have to look far to find neighbors applauding our hometown leaders 
for their efforts during this time of the current pandemic

I want to give a shoutout to our city's leadership over the past few months. The world has been faced with a pandemic but Livonia has been hit especially hard given our city's makeup. The Mayor's office immediately sprung into action to do everything within their capabilities to mitigate the risks and help those affected. Along with the pandemic came significant financial worry for the city, the businesses within the city, and the residents of the city.

Understanding that, t he city's leadership implemented many different initiatives aiming to mitigate those financial strains as much as possible. Many departments adjusted their plans for the next few years to only focus on the most necessary items to save items, while other departments put into effect initiatives directly helping residents and businesses. Some of those initiatives include the small business loans/grants program funded by the CARES Act and enabling restaurants to submit plans to open temporary patios (Thanks to the Mayor Brosnan, Council President McIntyre, and Planning and Economic Development Director Mark Toramina).

Over the past few months, I have watched every City Council Meeting. I have watched as our City Council has adjusted to holding meetings via Zoom and worked out the kinks that came with that. I have watched them discuss what they can do to help the city in such a fragile time. I have watched them preform their normal duties and debate issues, all with the residents best interest in mind. I have watched them send well wishes or ask for prayers for residents who are sick, and at times start the study meeting with a prayer centered around helping our community.

Livonia's leadership has done a lot of incredible things, and rest assured, everything they do is not for them, but for us. I feel confident in the future of Livonia knowing who is at the helm of it.
Christopher Boloven Has Been Named Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer at
Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs

One of Livonia's leading corporation, leading in their profession and leading in their commitment to the Livonia community, is Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs. When they make a major organizational change the news is huge. Today is one of those days when we take a step back and offer our congratulations as they transition to the future.

Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs is proud to announce that Christopher Boloven has been named the firm's managing partner and chief operating officer. Christopher also remains as the firm's chief legal officer as well as the managing member of CND Law. Arthur Cole will continue in the role of chief executive officer and will still be very much involved with client interaction, relationship building, and business development activities. 

Christopher holds a Juris Doctorate (cum laude) from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a Bachelor's in Business Administration in Accounting from Wayne State University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Law in Taxation at Wayne State University Law School. 

"On behalf of Cole, Newton & Duran, I am honored and excited to announce that the firm's partners unanimously elected Chris as CND's managing partner," said Cole, Newton & Duran's chief executive officer Arthur Cole. "I am excited to pass the torch off to Chris as he guides the firm to much success and growth. I am confident in Chris' abilities to oversee the direction of the firm for current and long-term profitability while developing leadership and managerial platforms for the success of CND's professionals. The future is very bright at CND. Our clients, people, community, and firm will benefit greatly from Chris' breadth of experience and leadership abilities."

Christopher has been with the Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs (CND) since August 2016. Prior to joining CND, he was an attorney at a law firm where he focused on taxation, business planning, and estate planning and administration. Christopher specializes in tax planning, succession planning, tax controversy, corporate, business and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, probate and estate planning law, including all forms of estate administration and litigation, and elder law.
It may be a small parcel of park land but it continues the removal of land from the Wayne County Park System. FridayMusings again takes the position that parkland should be protected.

On Tuesday, June 9th, members of Save Hines Park attended the Wayne County Commission Committee on Public Services Zoom meeting along with 70 participants.  The reason?

A 10 year lease, with perpetual renewal, of .86 acres of Hines Park to a developer on the table for consideration. The developer wants to build a parking lot on the property to serve his planned commercial development on the adjacent 1/2 acre parcel near the intersection of Warren Rd and Merriman. 
 
The Wayne County Parks director voiced support for the project saying it connected the community to the park, would benefit park users and provide $750/year for the county. Some Commissioners had questions and concerns. The Commissioner who represents the area, Glenn Anderson, pointed out that there was already a large parking lot off Merriman near the site and that he opposes the lease because parkland should be protected.   Letters to the commission were read and the public was allowed to speak for 2 minutes each.

Only one person from a property management company spoke in support. Many people saw more value in keeping the wooded green space. Most saw no need to clear and forever lose parkland for a parking lot which will primarily benefit the developer. The majority of Commissioners voted to move the item to the full Board of Commissioners for a final vote at their June 18th meeting.

FridayMusings opposes the sale of this parcel to a private developer in a lease that in essence never ends. Allowing a parking lot is very short-sighted and another example of the Commission failing to protect our parks. 
Congresswoman Haley Stevens Statement on Justice in Policing Act
Thursday, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced her support for the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, a comprehensive approach to hold police accountable and build trust between law enforcement and our communities.

The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 will take key steps to achieve transformational, structural change, including:
  • removing barriers to prosecuting police misconduct and recovering damages from officers who have violated civilians' rights;
  • combating police brutality, including by requiring body and dashboard cameras, banning chokeholds, ending the use of no-knock warrants in drug cases and enacting steps to end racial profiling;
  • stepping up pressure on the Justice Department to address systemic racial discrimination by law enforcement;
  • and finally making lynching a federal hate crime, as the House did in passing H.R. 35 earlier this year. 
"This is an inflection point for our country, and Congress must act to address the issues of police brutality and racial discrimination," said Congresswoman Stevens.

 "The Justice in Policing Act will support additional training, community-oriented policing, body and dashboard cameras, and other measures to increase accountability and transparency for law enforcement. This legislation will also make lynching a federal crime, a long-overdue step that passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support earlier this year. We have to pursue real reform to build a strong basis of trust between police departments and the communities they serve."

 In addition to the Justice in Policing Act, Congresswoman Stevens cosponsored the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) to create a Commission to examine the social disparities that disproportionately affect black men and boys in America. The Commission, which will be housed within the United States Commission on Civil Rights, will propose measures to alleviate and remedy the underlying causes of the adverse social conditions that are a reality for too many black men and boys. These recommendations will be sent to the president, the president's cabinet, and to Congress and the relevant committees of jurisdiction.
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and Mercy Health
ease visitor policies for non-COVID patients
  As FridayMusings reported last week Livonia is moving back to normal at our hometown health care system. Musings is pleased to report that normalcy continues to be one step closer with this announcement from St. Mary Mercy hospital and we couldn't be happier:

After careful consideration and in alignment with government and health official guidance, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and Mercy Health have modified visitation rules at all eight Trinity Health Michigan hospitals to allow more flexibility for visits to non-COVID patients.
 
Effective immediately the eight hospitals will allow:  
  • One visitor, per patient, per day.
  • Two visitors per patient, per day for minors, and for patients in Birthing Centers.
  • No visitors for COVID-19 positive patients - unless there are extenuating circumstances.
 
Visitation rules for outpatient offices such as lab and radiology and cancer treatment areas are unchanged at this time. A No Visitor Policy remains in effect, with exceptions under certain circumstances. Visitor policy is subject to change based on specific department needs.
 
"Our doctors, nurses, and support teams remain committed to providing compassionate, high quality care in a safe environment," said  Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, M.D., Ph.D, MHSA, chief clinical officer for Trinity Health Michigan.  "We will continue to review and evaluate visitor policies on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and colleagues."
 
Trinity Health Michigan facilities will continue to enforce elevated safety measures to ensure the health and safety of all visitors, patients and staff.  These measures include screening all visitors at point of entry and denying entry to those individuals who do not meet the evaluation criteria.  Visitors will also be required to put on a mask or other cloth face covering if they are medically able.
 
Additionally, the hospitals will strongly discourage visitors from visiting patients at high risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19, including older adults and persons with underlying medical conditions.  The hospitals will continue to offer visitors alternatives to in-person visits, such as video or audio calls.
Musings follows our city elected officials

Livonia City Council Study Meeting - June 8, 2020
Livonia City Council Study Meeting -
June 8, 2020

Livonia City Council Regular Meeting - June 8, 2020
Livonia City Council Regular Meeting -
June 8, 2020

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
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)
Musings follows Livonia Happenings
June in Livonia
June 19 @ 7:00 - 9:00
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
Hall of Fame 2013
Presenting Sponsor:
Dan MacIver
Financial & Portfolio Advisors



Dan MacIver offers up a slice of Livonia history.


Matt Collins continues to support the call to service.
Public Service that is.


FridayMusings endorses Livonia Lions Club President Matt Collins, an inductee to the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame, on being elected as the 2nd Vice District Governor for the Lions.! Way to go, Matt!




Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe reopens
FridayMusings is happy to announce that Anastasia & Katie's Coffee Shop is open for curbside pickup.

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe is an employment program of the nonprofit Mi Work Matters. They provide employees with and without disabilities job training and onsite support, with a mission of acceptance and opportunity for ALL. Located at 19215 Merriman, north of Seven Mile and on the west side of Merriman

Voshon Announces Re-Opening!
Voshon Announces Re-Opening!
The Jaycees want to change the world by taking action
to ensure equality for all.


Proud sponsor of the   1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame
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."
Livonia continues communicating regarding COVID-19
You gotta love Livonia
Here's Thursday evening's report, the second one this week as Livonia moves to a twice-a-week format to keep folks updated. Livonia recorded 5 new cases and 2 new deaths over the past two days.
Hope you're all staying healthy and safe!