Bill Joyner's FridayMusings December 16, 2024

FridayMusings providing Livonia happenings since 2003.

Monday, December 16, 2024

This picture does not do justice to the light show that wraps completely around the house, front year, back yard, and side yards at 19520 Hillcrest, East of Merriman, North of Seven Mile. Light Up Livonia 2024 is now live! There are some incredibly festive homes this year, and you can find them all on this Light Up Livonia Map: tinyurl.com/m8sh7t72

In a positive sign for Livonia, 32 residents apply for the City Council vacancy.

Applicants will appear before Council at their meeting Monday night.

Griffin Cartier,

Joseph J. Stefanov,

Tyler McCann,

Betsy Calhoun,

Dominic Freda,

Lucas C. McGrail

James Baringhaus,

Gerald A. Perez,

John A. Szewc,

Emily Keith,

Megan Edmonds,

Eileen McDonnell,

Lynda Scheel,

Josh Flack,

Torion Bridges,

Philip Sattler,

Jacki Graham Karns,

Marlene Katafias,

Steve Alexander,

Nicholas Pickard,

Joshua Earles,

Justin Gooch,

Kylie Nielsen,

Kayleigh Reid,

Alex King,

Conrad Schwartz,

Chris Lenoir,

Jacob Butkiewicz,

Carl Deal,

Adam Stathakis,

Michael Mullis,

Brian Meagher

When Council President Brandon McCullough established the process for appointing a replacement for Councilman Jim Jolly, who resigned upon his election as Livonia District Court Judge, there was no indication of how many individuals would apply for the interviews scheduled to take place on Monday, December 16th, at a meeting of the Council.

Musings supports Council President McCullough's position on promoting an open and transparent application process. It is beneficial for the city to encourage residents to become involved in the decision-making process, now and in the future.

Musings asserts that any opportunity to engage residents in contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of Livonia as an outstanding hometown is worth our time, as it allows us to listen to their ideas and suggestions.

According to McCullough, this Monday's meeting is not a regular meeting of the Council; therefore, it will not be broadcast on television. It is the understanding of Musings that at a regularly scheduled meeting early in January, the 6th has been mentioned, a vote will take place on the appointment.

If the Council does not appoint a replacement within 45 days the position will remain vacant until the next City election. The next primary is August 2025 with the general election scheduled for November, the same ballot as the Michigan Governor's election.

Upon reviewing the list of applicants, Musings is impressed with the quality of those who have taken the time to apply. It is hoped that some will consider running in the 2025 city election, as retail politics with numerous candidates sharing ideas and suggestions will contribute to a better hometown as we move into the future.

The residents who applied are listed here, some with familiar names, some who previously ran for Council, and some who have expressed interest in running in the past, are all eager to contribute their time, energy, and ideas to help identify the best options for Livonia.

You never know what you will find or where you will find it

When you just look around, no matter where you are in Livonia you are bound to find something new. At the Sunday LCC concert at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bette Clary showed the typewriter around highlighting several items that were moved from the Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 4461 Twenty-Eighth Street in Detroit. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1980 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Items like several stained glass windows, the pulpit, and the baptism font, were moved to Livonia, stored in a funeral home, and eventually found a new home at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Bette Clary, pictured here, was baptized in 1949 in this font.

The Livonia Civic Chorus continues to excel, providing yet another reason why Livonia

is regarded as the cultural heartbeat of

Southeast Michigan

Ever since their first concert under the sponsorship of the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department the Livonia Civic Chorus has been providing entertainment bringing crowds back year after year.

ln 1965 the choir of St. Maurice Church of Livonia was disbanded. The members, however, shared a love of choral music and continued singing in members’ homes. One of the members heard that the Livonia Department of Parks and Recreation was considering sponsoring a mixed singing group. The director of the department was approached with the proposal that the former choir could form the nucleus of that group. A public notice announcing the formation of the group and inviting new members was published. Thus, the Livonia Civic Chorus, as it came to be known, was born.

The Chorus prepares for two main Concerts a year. In addition, there are about 15 performances each season out in the community known as "Outreach Performances" or the "Musical Interlude for Seniors."

Sunday's holiday concert at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church was no exception to the quality expected from this volunteer-member chorus. This concert saw two new professionals drawing out the chorus musical; Ryan Lakanen taking over as Music Director and Sara Jakubiec as Accompanist.

With a festive holiday crowd anticipating the Scenes of December they were not disappointed as the Chorus shared some holiday-spirited songs like There's No Place Like Home which included soloists Sharon Krol and Andrew Palmer, Here We Come A Wassailing, Twas the Night Before Christmas featuring the Livonia Youth Choir, and one of my favorites The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

In a unique ending to the concert the audience and chorus combined for a Sing Along; Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard on High.

Who better to learn about local government than from the Mayor and Council President

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan and Council President Brandon McCullough had the honor of speaking with Riley Wildcats Upper Elementary School students last week.

McCullough says that there were "some great questions! I Can't wait to watch this generation grow!"

Seven Mile & Victor Parkway

proposal up for

consideration by the City Council

A request was submitted to approve a Brownfield Plan for a 100-townhome development at 7 Mile and Victor Parkway.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority recommended approving a plan that would allow the developer to be reimbursed for eligible activities not exceeding $1,985,199 for a 10-year period. It is moving forward with an approving motion from Council.

Livonia Youth Symphony Orchestra of Michigan providing music since 1958 all set to entertain December 21st

Detroit Red Wings Alumni versus Livonia All Stars January 26th

Tickets are available through the QR code.

Ticket sales, which are only $10 a ticket, are ahead of the sold-out sales one year ago. They make perfect stocking stuffers.

100% of the proceeds from the McCullough Charity Hockey Game go directly to Breaking Barriers for Kids & Families

Nearly $40,000 has been raised in the first three years.

Senator Polehanki says it is wrong when elected officials do not show up to vote

Senator Dayna Polehanki spent her first four years in the Michigan Senate as part of the Minority Party. Something happened this week causing her to send out this statement:

"The Republican Majority at the time kept us in the capitol after midnight many times—voting on bills that we didn’t like.

"Never. Not once—did any Democratic senator leave the Senate floor or the building while voting was still happening. Our votes didn’t matter—yet we stayed because our constituents demanded that of us.

"In our marathon 20-hour session on Thursday, five Senate Republicans went home. No reason was given.

"And yesterday, in the House of Representatives, literally every Republican went home. They say it is “in protest” but I don’t believe that.

"Remember who stays and fights and who tucks tail and runs."

The Bob Dylan biopic is receiving acclaim from critics across the nation and generating huge anticipation from this 60-year Dylan fan

A new biopic about Bob Dylan is days away from its nationwide premiere, directed by James Mangold and featuring Timothée Chalamet as young Dylan. The film will portray the era during which Dylan rose to fame and subsequently embraced electric music, transforming folk music forever. Additionally, Benedict Cumberbatch will star as the folk legend Pete Seeger.

I apologize to Cory Jacobson and the dedicated staff at Livonia Phoenix Theatre; however, I will be in Colorado when the film premieres on Christmas Eve. I have eagerly awaited this movie's release for six months and will instead view it on the 27th in Colorado.

Just can't wait.

In 1964 Hal Waller, my speech teacher at Franklin High School, assigned the class an interpretive reading of a work of our choice. I brought my guitar, sat on a stool in front of the class, and gave an interpretive reading of Blowing in the Wind.

Did not play the guitar. Didn't know how. Tom Portney and I had teamed up to form a duo We Too. Ended after 1 lesson. Didn't stop me from being hooked on the transformation Dylan brought to my generation, raised in the 60's.

In 2021 Drew Wardle shared his opinion of the impact Dylan had on humankind. In paraphrasing his description it finds me shaking my head in agreement:

Dylan’s early folk records served as the soundtrack for the collective fears, hopes,, and struggles of his time, a sentiment that remains true to this day. Songs as ‘Blowin’ the Wind’ addressed some of the most profound questions that confront humankind: Dylan posed the question to his audience, “How many roads must a man walk down/Before you can call him a man?”

These types of inquiries stimulate the imagination, only to be met with elusive answers, as any skilled poet would provide: “The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.” Dylan possessed an extraordinary ability to invite his listeners on a journey into the ethereal, often encouraging them to embark on their quest for self-discovery.

From the previews that I have seen Timothee Chalamet should be a lock for Best Actor.

This is a Christmas present I am looking forward to. Maybe Movie of the year.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

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Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.