June 22 2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
August 4th Primary Endorsements for Wayne County Commissioner and Wayne County Circuit Court
David Knezek for Wayne County Commissioner--August 4th Primary
Since David M. Knezek , Jr. was appointed to the Wayne County Commission in February 2020, representing Dearborn Heights, Redford Township, and part of Livonia, Inkster to Middlebelt and Five Mile to Joy Road he has made it easy to understand why he deserves our support for a full term of the County Board.

A lifelong resident of Dearborn Heights, Knezek graduated from Crestwood High School and later earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. In 2006, Knezek enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of Sergeant while completing two tours of duty in Iraq as a Scout Sniper Platoon member.

In 2012, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives at the age of 26 and later elected to the Michigan Senate in 2014. Knezek has the distinction of being the first Iraq War Veteran elected to the Michigan House and Senate.

After leaving the Michigan Legislature, Knezek worked as the Director of Legislative Affairs for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. At 33, he is the youngest member of the County Board of Commissioners.

His involvement goes beyond that of being an elected official. Knezek has a track record of civic engagement in Southeast Michigan serving as a board member for Starfish Family Services in Inkster, a member of the Redford Township Jaycees, a Silver Life Member of the Detroit Branch NAACP, Vice President of the Dearborn Heights Goodfellows, a member of the Carl E. Stitt American Legion Post 232, and chairman of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Association Board.

Although he only represents a small portion of Livonia he brings to our hometown two members of the County Board where he serves along side Commissioner Terry Marecki. FridayMusings is encouraging your support and vote for David Knezek on August 4th as he has a primary campaign. His knowlege, willingness to work hard, and his ability to forge networks will benefit our hometown.

In the Democratic primary for Eastern Livonia, Inkster to Middlebelt and Five Mile to Joy Road, we are endorsing David Knezek.
Frank Simone for Wayne County Circuit Court--August 4th Primary
On August 4th voters will have an opportunity to vote for two open positions on the Wayne County Circuit Court. With multiple candidates running you can choose two candidates deserving your support.

FridayMusings is recommending Frank Simone for one of your two votes.

Frank Simone started earning respect for his colleagues, judges and law enforcement officials during law school where he was fortunate to be offered a position as a law clerk for Chief Judge James G. Fleming in Jackson County. At an early age he observed firsthand lawyers practicing law, which was an invaluable tool in his learning and growth as a lawyer. After passing the bar, he accepted a position in the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecuting attorney serving for fifteen years gaining experience both at the district and circuit court levels, as well as in the Court of Appeals. 

He is determined to say that the most important function in his role as an assistant prosecutor was his interaction with the victims of crime. These victims and their families looked to him as their lawyer who was trying to pursue justice on their behalf.

   Eventually, Simone accept a position in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in 2001. He immediately was assigned to the circuit court trial division to try capital felony offenses, including homicides and armed robberies. It didn't take long before he was transferred to a special unit prosecuting major drug offenses. He then was promoted to head the Major Drug Unit. In 2010, he was promoted once again to his current position as a Principal Attorney where he oversaw the daily operations of five courtrooms in the 3rd Circuit Court. His responsibilities include overseeing several thousand cases a year and making vital decisions on how to proceed in these cases. 

Frank Simone has a reputation as one who practices law with integrity and purpose, working hard to pursue justice for the victims of crime. He is one of those rare candidates who has worked alongside many judges as well as defense lawyers, building solid relationships with his superiors and law enforcement.  

Voters have an opportunity to vote for two candidates in the August 4th primary seeking a position on the Wayne County Circuit Court. Frank Simone's background is that of a candidate deserving one of your two votes in the primary. FridayMusings is urging your vote on August 4th for Frank Simone. Do not skip over the race for Wayne County Circuit Court and vote Frank Simone.
Automobile Insurance Law Changes Take Effect July 1…
If you have questions attend Zoom Meeting for Information on
How to Protect You and Your Family
Cole, Newton & Duran CPAs has invited Ronald Gaffney of Marsh & McLennan Agency, an auto insurance expert, to present on Governor Whitmer's new bipartisan auto no-fault legislation. The legislation is designed to lower costs for Michigan drivers, maintain the highest coverage options in the country, and strengthen consumer protections. These changes will apply to policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020.

Mr. Gaffney, also a member of the Livonia Rotary Club, will provide clarification and answers to questions drivers should be asking themselves such as:

 Should I maintain unlimited PIP benefits or select reduced limits? If you don’t make a selection, the carrier will continue to provide unlimited benefits.

 Which carrier should be my primary provider? Do you want your auto PIP or your group health insurance to pay first?

 Should I adjust my personal auto liability limit?

Attend CND’s Zoom Meeting to Find Out How This New Law Affects You and Your Family

Cole, Newton & Duran is offering two Zoom sessions on Wednesday, June 24. The first Zoom meeting will take place at 12:00 p.m. and the second Zoom meeting will take place from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

You can join this special on no-fault auto insurance Zoom meeting by using the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84609616040?pwd=ODlBSWw1NitoUExkTTdjaEM2ajd0QT09

Meeting ID: 846 0961 6040
Password: 533485
Musings keeps you up to date with our school meetings
August 4
Friday Musings has endorsed a yes vote on the following Wayne County propositions

Proposition O
Wayne County Operating Millage Renewal
Prosition P
Wayne County Parks Millage Renewal


Donald J. Trump (I) (R)
Joe Biden (D)


Wayne County Circuit Court
You may vote for two in the August primary with the top 4 advancing to November with two being elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court

Simone, Frank (endorsed by FridayMusings)

United States Senate
Gary Peters (D-I)

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, Senate Coney Island
Lynn Mills, Right-to-life advocate
Canton Township Supervisor Pat Williams
Roger Little, owner of Shooters Service
Former State Senator Mike Kowall

Martha Ptashnik (R)
Endorsed by:
Primary endorsement by FridayMusings
City Council President Kathleen McIntyre
Former State Representative John Walsh
Former City Councilman Brian Meakin
Former City Councilman Jim McCann
Former State Representative John Pastor
Former State Senator Mike Kowall
Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki
Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP)
Michigan Freedom Network
Small Biz PAC


Wayne County Commissioner
Terry Marecki (R-I)
Nothville Supervisor Bob Nix

Nancy Darga (D)
Endorsed by
Former County Commissioner Lyn Bankes
AFSCME Council 25

Schoolcraft Trustee
Brian Broderick (I)
Joan Gebhardt (I)
Terry Gilligan (I)

Livonia School Trustee
FridayMusings endorses the following 4:
Dan Centers (I)
Karen Bradford (I)
Tammy Bonifield (I)
Crystal Frank (I)

Clarenceville School Trustee
Matt Boettcher (I)
Brenda Uren (I)
Shari Krazel (I) 
Jeffrey Bunker (I)
June in Livonia
June 24

Western Wayne County NAACP along with Western Wayne County Leaders have announced a  Partnerships for Progress Listening Tour.  

Livonia will host the first listening session on June 24 at 6:00 pm at Clarenceville High School Auditorium.  
July in Livonia
July 7

Join your neighbors for a free DRIVE-IN movie! Pre-Registration is required as they have limited spots available. https://secure.rec1.com/MI/livonia-mi/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTExNTc4NzU=
July 14

Bring your family out for some musical entertainment by Beverly The Music Lady. Check out her website for more information about this engaging performance: https://beverlythemusiclady.com/

When? Tuesday, July 14 at 6:00 -- 7:30
Where? Livonia Parks and Recreation
15100 Hubbard St.
July 6- Aug 21

Normalcy is back and Camp Swoosh is ready.

For more information go to the Parks and Recreation website at  https://livonia.gov/1451/Camp-Swoosh .
Dan MacIver offers up another slice
of Livonia history.
Wayne County Back to Work Grants
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Wayne County will allocate up to $50,000,000 in CARES Act funding for small business relief grants. These grants will be given to small businesses to assist in opening their facilities after the extended COVID-19 shut down. The CARES act gives Wayne County the opportunity to support small businesses as they face unprecedented financial hardship. Supporting small businesses and helping them operate through the crisis will benefit the business, the employees, the local community and ultimately the tax revenue for the county. 

Award Details 

Grants will be available in incremental amounts up to $10,000 dollars based on the reported losses of each applicant. Grant amount will be determined as a sum of losses for the months of April and May, 2020 and loss amount should be based on revenue from previous months or this time last year. Businesses that do not provide clear financial records for previous years and months will not be awarded. Grants are intended to provide funding to help small businesses reopen.

Eligibility Criteria
 
A business located in Wayne County that meets all the following requirements: 
● Business is identified as a small business, which is a business that employs less than 50 FTE employees. 
● Business has been in existence for over 1 year according to tax documentation. 
● Business is located in a brick and mortar commercial building and is unable to accommodate work from home. 
● Business is in good standing with the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). 
● Business total revenue that DOES NOT exceed $1 million dollars. 

Requirements from Businesses 

Businesses will be required to fill out an application and provide proof of financial harm from COVID-19 by providing financial statements from last year up to and through the months following the recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
In order to meet eligibility; businesses must be located in Wayne County, MI, must be considered a small business with less than 50 FTE employees, and must demonstrate it has become insolvent due to the loss of revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business chains are not eligible, however individually owned franchises are eligible. The exception being small local chains (less than 50 FTE employees in total) with multiple locations are eligible with separate applications for each location. 

Priority is given to service based businesses (eg. food, beverage, personal care, etc.) and small retailers who depend on daily patrons. 

Application Intake and Award: 

The application for the small business readiness grant will be posted on a website for a minimum of 12 days. Applicants that have completed applications and meet the criteria will then be randomly selected for processing in batches. Grants will be awarded in batches via a lottery system to ensure quick and fair distribution of funds.

Grant Application & Support: Grant application link will be posted on WayneCounty.com/BackToWork on June 29th. Business owners can reach out to our team with questions via the contact form on our website here: https://www.waynecounty.com/departments/econdev/contact-us 
Livonia shares continued discussion on police department reform taking place here in our hometown