September 25,2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
Livonia Symphony Orchestra asking support for what would have been an outstanding golf outing

Make your support known by signing up today. Next Wednesday stay tuned as FridayMusings dedicates the entire issue to our Livonia Symphony Orchestra.

Livonia is known for support for the arts and that is why we are the cultural heartbeat of southeast Michigan.
Scrapbook Day Fundraiser for Anastasia and Katie's

On October 17, there will be a scrapbooking day fundraiser held via Zoom benefiting Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop! Check out our event here for more information: Scrapbook Day Fundraiser.
 House Adopts Stevens Vehicle Research and Development Amendment to H.R. 4447

The U.S. House of Representatives adopted Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ amendment to H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. H.R. 4447 a package of bipartisan bills to put the United States on the path to achieve a clean energy future by making long-overdue reforms to U.S. energy policy and authorizing major investments in the transition to a low-carbon future.

Congresswoman Stevens’ amendment, which she introduced along with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), would establish research and development programs focused on advanced vehicle technology, including the development of more efficient and sustainable materials and processes with the potential to substantially reduce emissions from passenger and commercial vehicles. The amendment also calls for interagency research in a number of areas including the cybersecurity of internet-connected automobiles, energy storage and battery technology, and remanufacturing.

The research and development programs would be spearheaded by the Department of Energy in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Science Foundation, and other federal agencies as necessary.
Good news for our schools. Better than most had hoped for.
State Senator Dayna Polehhanki provides us with K-12 Budget Update: While a $65 increase per pupil is slim, the massive cuts that were predicted just a few months ago failed to materialize thanks to the great work of the K-12 Education Appropriations Committee.

The $3 million increase in early literacy is also significant. I believe that investing in best teaching practices in reading is vastly preferable to flunking 3rd graders based on one standardized test score, which is still slated to happen this spring.
Livonia lost another good one
Sue Gniewek - a great volunteer
For years when community groups were working on a project the refrain was always let's call the Gniewek's. Conrad and Sue epitomized the concept of Livonia volunteerism.

On September 2nd Sue Colling Gniewek passed away. She died peacefully at home with her family surrounding her after suffering many years with Alzheimer’s.

She was predeceased by her husband, Conrad Gniewek, son, Lane Jae, brother, Elliott Colling and sisters Colleen Reisig and Joan Colling.

She was an amazing mother to Jolie (Ed) Snow, Kyle and Torin, loving Grammy to Kori and Kendal Snow, Gramma-in-law to Alex Hill, Owen and Jocelyn Snow.

Sue participated in many aspects of her community before her illness. She was a para-pro in the Special Ed department at Stevenson High School for many years. When her children were young she served on the PTA, Arts Commission and assisted with local political campaigns. She was an avid gardener and creative cook. She had a special knack for making everyone feel welcome and loved.

A celebration of her life will be held outside in the garden of Jolie and Ed Snow, Saturday, September 26 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Friends are invited to share your stories and memories starting at 3:00 p.m. Light hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served. The celebration will be COVID cautious.

Please RSVP to Jolie. Email: [email protected]
Livonia Parks & Recreation
Kids Night Out moves to Rotary Park in October. More information can be found: 
It's time for a
Friday Smile
The typewriter having gone on my first bike ride in 35 years on my old Raleigh bike I smiled reading the post of Lisa Marie Beach Amin who went for her first bike ride in 25 +years on her Dad’s old Raleigh bike, circa 1980. "It was a little wobbly. Or maybe I’m wobbly. Either way, I’ll sleep good tonight. I’m looking forward to getting lights for nighttime rides."

Congratulations to Lisa Marie Beach Amin. It can be done as the typewriter is now up to 2 miles. A bit wobbly is an understatement.
Livonia Parks & Recreation
Spooky Swim is back this fall! Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 2 PM – 4 PM

Pre-registration is required for this spooktacular event in the Leisure Pool.

Crafts, games, and a floating pumpkin patch will get you in the Halloween spirit.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

Death by suicide remains the 10th leading cause of death in the United States year-after-year. In 2018 many people took the Yellow Rose Campaign pledge affirming their concern and compassion for the well-being of brothers and sisters in the fire service across Michigan.
The Yellow Rose Task Force encouraged fire departments across Michigan to wear the YR Suicide Prevention Tee Shirt. Our Livonia Fire & Rescue have changed their daily uniform to the navy blue tee with yellow silk screening for the month of September. From department to department across our State, firefighters will extinguish the stigma associated with reaching out for emotional support and care.

Let's take a look at the race for
 State Representative.
The positions of Martha Ptashnik.
Martha Ptashnik describes herself as representing Livonia values but yet her positions seem out of the mainstream of the moderate views of the majority of Livonia residents.

She says when asked that she is very conservative on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration.

The typewriter has many friends who describe themselves as conservative but they appear to be more tolerant on some issues than Ptashnik appears to adhere to in statements she has put out and questionnaires she answered.
Let's take a look at her own stated positions to see if you agree that she should be elected to represent Michigan House District #19 replacing incumbent Laurie Pohutsky.

Gun ownership: She feels there should be no restrictions on gun ownership and teachers should be allowed to have weapons in their classrooms. Most teachers disagree with her on this issue.

She says that she does not want any restrictions on gun ownership to protect public safety.

Public schools: Her campaign is heavily financed by Betsy DeVos' lobbying group, Great Lakes Education Project. She agrees with their position in support of for-profit charter schools and it is not a leap to see that she supports the position of Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos in support of vouchers for private schools.

Healthcare: she believes that the government has no place in healthcare.

Marriage: She strongly supports the position that government should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized.

She does not support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.

Woman's right to choose: She strongly believes that human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death. When asked under what circumstances should abortion be allowed, she answers under no circumstances.

Immigration: She strongly agrees that there should be construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border.
These positions seem outside the mainstream of most Livonia residents. Some will agree but most will disagree.

 For that reason FridayMusings strongly supports and endorses the re-election of Representative Laurie Pohutsky. She was right on environmental and education issues in 2018 when first elected. She has followed through on support of those issues she ran on. She will continue that support after being re-elected.
Candidates continue to pick up endorsements as ballots are being mailed to Livonia voters
Nancy Darga, candidate for Wayne County Commissioner says "Thank you Rep. Haley Stevens for endorsing my campaign. I look forward to representing the residents of Livonia, Northville, and Northville Township and working with you to create a better Wayne County."
Terry Marecki, candidate for re-election as Wayne County Commissioner lists her endorsements: