July 8,2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
Mayor Maureen Brosnan "We will not tolerate racism in Livonia
Chief Curtis Caid "Racial profiling is not tolerated" in Livonia
The City of Livonia has issued the following statements from Mayor Maureen Brosnan and Chief Curtis Caid regarding the billboard claiming “racial profiling” in Livonia.

A statement from Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan:

“We WILL NOT tolerate racism in Livonia.

"In response to the George Floyd murder, I recommissioned the Livonia Human Relations Commission, providing them with a new vision and new appointees dedicated to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community.

"Less than two weeks ago, Livonia hosted the first Partnership for Progress Listening Session focused on frank conversations about race across our region. It was sponsored by the Western Wayne NAACP and the Conference of Western Wayne.

"We have been in touch with representatives of Livonia Citizens Caring about Black Lives, inviting them to join the Human Relations Commission conversations and their work.

"This billboard is counterproductive to these and other efforts we are taking to ensure Livonia is ‘a welcoming place for all’ – a goal that this group and I share. This billboard will not help advance the progress of diversity in our community, something to which I am committed.
Having just knocked on tens of thousands of doors last year during my campaign, I know that Livonia is more diverse than it was 10 years ago, which is a sign of progress. It is also a signal that more people feel safe and welcome in Livonia.

"I look forward to continuing to engage with the community to make progress on issues of racial justice.”
A statement from Police Chief Curtis Caid:

“The Livonia Police Department is a Constitutional law enforcement agency. Livonia Police officers do not target their enforcement actions to individuals based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, etc. Racial profiling is a serious allegation and is not tolerated. We are proud that Livonia has been consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the region.

"Livonia is a welcoming community to all regardless of one’s race. This billboard sends the exact opposite message of our values at the Livonia Police Department and of those in our community."
Schoolcraft College transitions to a new era of leadership
Dr. Glenn Cerny set to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Conway Jeffress
Schoolcraft College has announced that Dr. Glenn Cerny will be the College’s next President after a meeting of Schoolcraft College’s Board of Trustees and unanimous vote on Wednesday, July 1.

Cerny, who previously served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Schoolcraft College, succeeds Dr. Conway A. Jeffress. Jeffress, who, has served as president of the two-year community college since July of 2001, announced on Jan. 10 that he was retiring. Cerny’s first day as President will be Aug. 1.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Cerny as our next President of Schoolcraft College,” said Brian D. Broderick, Chair of Schoolcraft College’s Board of Trustees and leader of the presidential search committee. “Our rigorous and in-depth screening and interview process, which included valued input from Schoolcraft College faculty, staff, students, the Schoolcraft College Foundation board and the wider community, informed our decision. All of our finalists were of the highest quality, and in the end, we feel Dr. Cerny is the right choice to lead Schoolcraft College into the next era.”

Cerny has spent nearly his entire career in higher education in the business services area. Before coming to Schoolcraft College in 2010, Cerny had worked for North Central Michigan College, Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Lansing Community College and the University of Michigan.

As Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Cerny and his team were responsible for Schoolcraft College’s $90 million budget.

“First, I’d like to express my deep appreciation to the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees for their confidence in me to lead Schoolcraft College as the next president,” Cerny said. “I am grateful to have this opportunity and look forward to helping Schoolcraft College students, faculty and staff reach even greater heights while further strengthening our commitment to the community and our partners.”

Schoolcraft College faculty, staff, students, Foundation board members and community members have had the opportunity to meet Cerny as a candidate through virtual meetings. Additional opportunities to get to know Schoolcraft College’s new president will be planned as the College stabilizes its return to campus and can provide an environment to share time in person.
FridayMusings follows the discussion in our community on police policies:

In case you missed it, see the first Partnership for Progress event hosted by the Livonia Police Department, Conference of Western Wayne and the Western Wayne County Branch of the NAACP, held at Clarenceville High School.
FridayMusings follows the discussion by our
Livonia City Council
Regular Meeting July 6
July in Livonia

7 Drive in Movie @ 7:30
Livonia Parks and Recreation

9 Steve King and the Dittlies
Music from the Heart

Livonia Parks and Recreation ·

16 Major Woody
Music from the Heart

21 Summer Fun Series @ 6:00
Miss Paula and the Candy Bandits
Livonia Parks and Recreation

23 Weekend Comeback
Music from the Heart

28 Drive in Movie @ 7:30
Livonia Parks and Recreation

30 Toppermost Beatles Tribute
Music from the Heart

August in Livonia

4 Primary Election

6 Sinjon Smith
Music from the Heart

13 Devin Scillian and Arizona Sun
Music from the Heart

20 Cruzin Jupiter
Music from the Heart

27 Cosmic Groove Band
Music from the Heart

September in Livonia

12 Thomas A. Dooley Knights of Columbus Golf Classic @ Fox Hills $100
To sign up call John Glennon 734-968-2286 or Lou Fiorentino 248-808-3834
Journey Church extends a hand of caring
FridayMusings says here is another reason how Livonia is a community of which to be proud, reaching out and extending the hand of caring to those in need. Thank you Journey Church for your Drive-thru food giveaway happening in your parking lot at 31100 Plymouth Rd. Friday, 6:30 pm.

They will have food ready for 450 families. The only qualification is to show up. If you or someone that you know needs a little extra help with groceries please share this information and let them know that Journey Church is there to help.

*distancing guidelines and PPE will be in place. All food will be pre-sorted and ready to be placed in the trunk or back of vehicles as they drive thru*

For questions you can message their team via email at info@forlivonia.com
Another slice of history from Dan MacIver
Nationally recognized Motor City Youth Theatre, one of the gems of the Livonia theatre scene is asking for help. So here--Help!
This note, is sent from Nancy Florkowski, founder of Livonia's Motor City Youth Theatre:

Those of you who know me are aware of the fact that we at MCYT do not like asking for donations or starting fundraisers. Our last fundraiser, which was very successful, thanks to many very generous donors like you and Ethical Exteriors (who didn't charge for labor) was held in 2016.

At that time we were required to install a new roof on our theatre in order to keep our insurance. Like all theatres, we have no shows and, therefore, no income coming in. But the bills have not gone away. We are still responsible for utilities, lawn care, mortgage, insurance and upkeep of the building.

We also know that many people are out of work and are struggling to feed their families at this time.

This request is for people who feel comfortable donating $5 or whatever can be given.

MCYT has a PayPal account that accepts donations. If there are no services or products involved we hope there will not be a fee to donate. I believe it has to be paid as "to a friend."

Please do not feel pressured but if you choose to participate, please go to Pay Pal and choose motorcityoutheatre@gmail.com

It must be spelled correctly or it will not go through.

Thanks so very much!
If there are elections there are bound to be fundraisers. And here are two.
The Livonia Democratic Club is hosting an old fashioned fund raiser, definitely of the retail variety, this Thursday to Saturday. Louise Weller explains:

"The Livonia Democratic Club is having a garage sale Thursday to Saturday, July 9-11, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Location would be Louise's garage on Hubbard Street, south of 5 Mile, between Barkley and Oakley, just north of Lyndon.

"We have kids toys and games, small appliances, golf clubs, art work, tons of books, too much to list! We will also have the District 11 t-shirts for Haley 2020 for sale!"


Penny Crider is opening up her home this coming Saturday for a fundraiser to help her campaign for State Representative.

"The COVID crisis has severely limited our ability to raise money for this campaign.

"Finally, we have the opportunity to meet with you face-to-face and share our vision for representing Livonia in the legislature, as well as giving you to opportunity in any way you can, to support our efforts.

"Please mark your calendars and join us at our home on July 11th!"
Pohutsky, Ptashnik and Crider speak out on the racial profile billboard
With increased conversation, pro and con, on the topic of the racial profiling billboard the typewriter thought he would check in to to find out how the candidates running for State Representative feel about the billboard.
Penny Crider: I love this community and have lived here for most of my life. I know the people of Livonia and in my experience they are caring, giving and compassionate. I also know that there probably have been some who have come here and had a different experience than I have. That's probably the case in every town in the state. But to place a divisive billboard entering town puts a stigma on Livonia that we're ALL probably racist.

The people who raised money for this certainly have a right to do it and it will be located in Redford at our border, because we don't allow billboards. But my concern is that the inaccurate stigma that this could place on Livonia could affect home values, the respect we have for our wonderful police force and actually deter what should come from this conversation -- the future diversification of Livonia. Do you think anyone of color would, in the future, want to move here when they see that billboard? How does this help?

We have a great city. Those who truly love Livonia need to speak out for it and our public service front liners. Not against it and those who put their life on the line every day for us.
Martha Ptashnik: Thank you to Chief Caid for your leadership and thank you to all of the men and women who serve our community on the Livonia PD. I urge all of our citizens to thank the LPD for their commitment to transparency and inclusion, and for keeping our community safe. Please share stories about a positive interaction that you have had with the LPD on your social media to let them know how much we appreciate their service. Most importantly if you see a Livonia police officer, thank a Livonia police officer.
Laurie Pohutsky: Regarding the billboard, I think we need to be less critical around how black people and people of color in general raise awareness around the issues they face.

The billboard can be viewed as a form of peaceful protest, and whether you agree with it or not, the conversation it has generated between citizens and law enforcement has been productive and I think it’s important we focus on that.
‌