This election year without a primary offers Livonia voters an opportunity to take the next five months and have a dialogue with new candidates seeking the office of City Council. Unfortunately, most if not all of the candidates will wait until the absentee ballots go out to communicate the tried and true campaign literature. The ones with the American flag, pictures of police and fire folks, a senior citizen. Oh, and add in the usual campaign mantra of supporting our seniors, support our first responders.

Sound cynical? Well, this typewriter has spent many hours pouring over election campaign literature and find few that break from that mold. Councilman Dale Juricsin when he ran for Mayor had a solid multipage platform. Actually, Maureen Brosnan in both her races for Mayor offered up a detailed platform.

In taking a look at the council candidates running this year the typewriter has decided to attend their campaign kickoffs as I have not spent much time with any of them in the past, if and when invited, to get a sense of who they are and what they stand for. Oh, and who is supporting them.

Talking about candidates running for what most perceive as the open seat. Not the incumbents, they come later.

Started out with Dan Centers. Came away amazed at the size and content of his Rolodex. Those attending were the type of people that he could pick up the phone and ask for help on issues affecting Livonia. From school board to Wayne County to Lansing. I will designate him as our Rolodex candidate. Would be a real benefit to Livonia.

Headed out to see and meet Ken Overwater. While chatting up the group gathered to support Ken there was a real commitment to a candidate that would listen and fight for the people. Certainly, as a Public Defender, he was coming across as an advocate. Oh, and working in community theatre at Divine Child he has a real affection for the arts. I will designate him as our advocacy candidate.

This Saturday will stop by the backyard of Carrie Budzinski to meet with Representative Haley Stevens and Laurie Pohutsky. Won't know

how to designate Carrie until after I visit her kickoff party. But for now, I have considered her, after personally adopting her compost idea and hazardous waste pick-up availability, I will designate her as Talk to Action candidate.

Didn't get invited to Scott Morgan's kick-off so will reserve designation until after I see more about his campaign.

So much for our challengers running for Council. Maybe down the road, we will come up with a designation for the three incumbents.

Organizations, volunteers, and honorary Corn Roasters are joining Honorary Chairman Brandon McCullough in setting up Livonia's Good Old-Fashioned Corn Roast to be one heck of a Livonia return to a normal family party on September 19th, 12:00 - 4:00, at our historic Greenmead Village.

As we get closer to September we are starting to line up more volunteers and if you would like to help drop me a note at [email protected]. Here is what we are looking for:

10 volunteers to help organizations set up their tables and display areas --9:00

30 volunteers to help shuck the corn--1000 ears--starting at 9:00

(perfect for students looking for community service credit)

10 volunteers to help organizations breakdown their tables and display areas--4:00

The banners can be purchased with a donation of $50 with a check, no cash please, made out to the high school of the banner you want. They can be picked up at Dan's office, 15855 Farmington Rd, 48154, just north of Five Mile Road on the west side of the road. Look for the Be Kind sign.