August 26,2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
LAWSUIT BY COUNTY COMMISSION AND COMMISSIONER TERRY MARECKI STOPS NEW TAX
Throughout this year we have been following the story about the Wayne Kids Win! Committee’s attempt to have the county’s voters pass a petition initiative for a new 1 mill tax for afterschool programs for Wayne County children. When we last reported on April 15, the Wayne County Commission had passed a resolution by a vote of 13-2, with all western Wayne County Commissioners voting with the majority, to reject this proposal. The petition was then returned to the Wayne County Clerk for possible consideration whether it could be lawfully placed on the general election ballot.

When the Clerk and Wayne County Election Commission failed to act upon legal objections to the petition submitted last December, the County Commission was forced to have its attorneys file a lawsuit to keep the proposed tax and ordinance off the November 3, 2020 ballot. This will provide an update on that legal challenge.
Although the WKW Committee has its offices in Detroit, this story has a distinctly Livonia flavor, with four residents playing central roles. As reported earlier, Dr. Randy Liepa (pictured left), Superintendent of the Wayne Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESA), is the Treasurer of the WKW Committee, which raised almost $500,000 to gather signatures and promote this initiative. Commissioner Terry Marecki (pictured top), who helped lead Commission opposition to the new proposed tax, joined the lawsuit as the only individual party Plaintiff. The lawsuit was primarily prepared and argued for the Plaintiffs by Asst. Commission Counsel Alan Helmkamp (pictured below left), and it was assigned to Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Kenny (pictured bottom left).

After extensive briefing and argument by the respective attorneys, Judge Kenny ruled earlier this month in a strong Opinion that the proposed millage and ordinance not be submitted to the voters at the November 3 election. The Court cited several serious defects in the form and content of WKW’s petition and found that it violated numerous provisions of election law.

The defendants chose not to appeal Judge Kenny’s decision, as the appeal period ran out on August 24, so this proposed new tax is finally dead, at least in its current form.
In an ironic and unintented twist, Judge Kenny apparently did Dr. Liepa a huge favor with this ruling. That’s because the county RESA has placed the renewal of its 2 mill enhancement millage on the November 3 ballot, and it might have been seen as a complicating embarrassment for Dr. Liepa if a request for another 1 mill tax by a group he was helping lead had been on the same ballot. Apparently, Dr. Liepa had joined the WKW effort with the expectation that it would easily pass on the initially intended March 10 Presidential primary ballot. If passed, it would have produced yet another revenue stream for RESA, as the proposed implementing ordinance provided that school districts could participate in partnerships to receive funding.

Friday Musings reached out to Dr. Liepa in early July and inquired whether the WKW proposal would be seen as a political problem and perhaps a conflict if it went head to head with the RESA millage on the November 3 ballot. He replied that he was “stepping away” from the WKW proposal as a result of this development. However, curiously, a couple weeks later on July 23, WKW filed two quarterly reports required by the Michigan Campaign Finance law, and they still showed Dr. Liepa as the Treasurer of the Committee.
Judge Kenny, pictured left, unintentionally saved Dr. Liepa from this predicament of his own making by ordering the WKW proposal off the general election ballot, leaving the RESA millage renewal without that competition.

Although funding for after-school youth programs has merit theoretically, in this situation Friday Musings noted earlier that it had serious concerns about this particular proposal. If passed, it would have collected an estimated $250 million over six years, but there was no distribution formula for those tax dollars collected in Livonia to be used for programs in Livonia. Those dollars would have been allocated by an appointed board not answerable to the taxpayers, while circumventing the County Commission’s authority to expend county tax dollars.

Friday Musings applauds the County Commission and Commissioner Marecki for their successful effort on behalf of the taxpayers, and Chief Judge Kenny for his well-reasoned ruling. Commissioner Marecki was understandably pleased about the successful result and remarked: “The last thing our people need right now is another new tax for after school programs when they’re worried about challenges and expenses associated with their children safely returning to school to receive their basic education. Also, we have to make sure the county utilizes its resources to provide mandated services and address the needs caused by the continuing public health and economic emergency.”
Livonia Parks and Recreation has re-scheduled the Drive-In showing of
Spies In Disguise to Sept. 12.

Pre-registration is required,
one per car.
If It's Wednesday
Livonia's Gotta Smile
Livonia Kids & Families met up at Mama Mia's for lunch Monday. A fun luncheon with some great people talking about making an impact in our hometown.

Tracey Stevenson, Assistant Principal, Clarenceville High School, Denise Scall, CPA, Cole, Newton, Durand cpa's, Veronica Cruz, AlphaUSA, Kacie McCullough, teacher, Franklin High School, Harps McCullough, Livonia's favorite smile maker, Robb Drzewicki, Community Living Services, Kathy Ventittelli, Think Ink, Gary Selesko, retired, Chuck Dardas, AlphaUSA.

Over 900 book bags provided to students Saturday. Wow. 900.

937 book bags were prepared for students and families in Wayne and Oakland counties. The book bags were distributed at Northville High School, Novi United Methodist Church, and El Bethel Baptist Church this past Saturday.

Tracey Stevenson, Assistant Principal at Clarenceville High School, chaired the project coordinated through El Bethel Baptist Church in Redford. "Most of the book bags, nearly 900, were given away with the remaining book bags donated to local schools in need of school supplies. 

Stevenson was most excited with the turn out of those needing school supplies and that the community was able to meet the need. "Thank you to all the volunteers and the donors that helped us fill over 900 book bags, and donated the bags as well."

Shown here working at Northville is Monifa Henry, President of NPAAS (Northville Parents of African American Students) and parent of two former Northville High School alumni.  
Candidates lining up for your vote--District 19
Martha Ptashnik, Republican candidate, and Math teacher at Churchill High School, is seeking the office of State Representative in District 19, posts on Facebook on the need for health and safety of students and teachers:

As an educator and a mother, I believe that the health and safety of our students and staff must be of paramount importance as we head toward a goal of reopening our schools sensibly and responsibly. We all know that the goal of in-person instruction is in the best interest of our children both academically and socially, in fact 75% of Livonia parents have indicated that they would prefer in-person instruction but we must do it safely and this deal sets that tone. I am also a proponent that the state is allowing local districts to address the concerns of their districts.
State Representative and Millennial microbiologist elected to represent Livonia (District 19) in the Michigan House of Representatives, 2018 is seeking re-election. Laurie Pohutsky releases the first campaign video of the fall election season. With more to come from both State Representative candidates in the coming weeks:
Gotta love it when Livonian's share their thoughts
FridayMusings endorsements:

Charlie Mahoney I know it was a tough choice - but think they are good choices - Isn’t it great to have so many qualified candidates for school board?

Louise Weller I don't think I've ever seen a congressional representative who is out in the community talking to constituents more than Haley. She is such a hard worker and caring person.

Kathleen Bilger I agree with your endorsement of Halley Stevens. She has proven to be very effective in Congress on multiple issues. I contacted her office on an historic preservation issue, they were back to me in less than a day.

Campers hiking from Detroit to California:

Rick Hayes I saw them on my way to Joes Produce....I waved....they waved...cool stuff!!

Thomas Portney Proud to be from Livonia.
It is time to celebrate art again.
Julie Cassar has an idea for September 20.
YOU KNOW WHAT WE'VE ALL MISSED THIS SEASON?!? ART FAIRS AND BOOK SIGNINGS!

Julie Cassar is inviting you, Sunday, September 20, at 1 PM – 6 PM, 29627 Robert Dr, Livonia, 48150.

"Original art, prints, drawings, crafts, and both of my book series will be on display and available for purchase. Please stop by for a cocktail and fun snacks, enter to win some give-aways, and peruse the art and books for sale!"
FridayMusings working with you in the community
And your help is needed.
Graduation Banners still available

There are still a few graduation banners available as a keepsake for that 2020 graduate. Sure to put a smile on their face. A smile this year and again in 10 years and again in 20 years. Email the typewriter at [email protected] to get your reservation in before they are gone.

In the meantime if you have ordered a banner you can pick it up from Dan MacIver at his office 15855 Farmington Rd.
Still time to help Kids and Family purchase student computers

Livonia Kids and Families is still looking for donations to purchase the final 100 computers for Clarenceville High School. After donating $52,000 to Clarenceville every teacher has been provided a state of the art computer for the coming virtual school year.

The 100 computers being used by the teachers, Chromebooks, have been repurposed for use by the students leaving a need for the final 100 so that every student has one for the school year.

Your donation of $20, 50, 100 or whatever you would like to donate will be greatly appreciated. Drop a note to the typewriter at rwilliamjoyner.com to find out how you can help Kids & Family.
Okay Livonia. Enough Talk. Let's Just do it
How about Livonia taking charge, have some fun, stand on our front porch, play some songs, enjoy some music.

The typewriter plays no instrument but I do have a boom box and the bodyguard does have a guitar and is willing to give it a try.

Let's look for 100 porch musicians on August 29th. How great would that be if 100 porches have music playing. Are you ready?

It works very simply. At some point on Saturday, August 29th, go out to your front porch and start playing an instrument. Could be noon. 3:00. 7:00. Surprise your neighbors and showcase your musical abilities on the front porch.