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Chuck and Renee Dardas

"The best city in a huge metropolitan area in our nation."

On Valentine's Day, Musings will present a special

Love Livonia edition featuring 16 hometown residents answering the question, "Why Love Livonia?"

To start Valentine's Week, we're happy to share Chuck and Renee Dardas' reasons for loving Livonia which first appeared in the 2023 special Valentine edition. Below the fold today, we include three more anecdotes from last year.

I have been working in Livonia for close to 20 years as an employee. I have been asked why I do not live here, which came from a family decision made years ago when we moved back to Michigan. I was not working in Livonia when we moved back, and we have stayed in our home in Rochester for reasons that certainly have nothing to do with my love of Livonia.

Many years ago, in the 1980’s I was working at an auto supplier in Michigan where we worked with a Livonia-based business that we did a significant amount of business. I became enamored with Livonia that long ago and always saw it as a gateway city in the Detroit area. I also passed through it many times when on my way to the Ford Motor Company by taking I-96 to Southfield. Livonia always called to me, so to speak.

After several career moves, to Canada, South Carolina, and Buffalo NY we (my family and I) had the opportunity to come to work for the Strumbos Family at Alpha Stamping (now AlphaUSA). I was thrilled for many reasons, one of the main ones being it was in Livonia. Livonia is so ideally located from a business perspective, and this was certainly a huge draw for us.

Livonia also meant that I was able to work in a smaller company after years in much larger enterprises. I felt I could make a difference which is what our true goal in life should be. That we were kind and made a difference.

Once I started working in Livonia our CEO, Nick Strumbos asked if I thought our company could engage in the community on a much higher level as his father had done many years before. I said certainly but I knew no one. Then I found out what Livonia was like. How engaging it is and can be if you wish to find this out.

Livonia is embracing from the governmental side, certainly the Police and Fire departments as well as the City Administration, Mayor, and City council. The Chamber under Dan West is a powerhouse. The public school system is likewise embracing, and Schoolcraft is so incredibly warm and engaging.

The local businesses, restaurants, dealerships, and service businesses embrace you. Archies Restaurant, Thomas’, Mama Mia’s, Luigi’s, and on and on. You become family.

The service clubs, the arts that are flourishing, and the growing workforce development efforts in the public school system are vital to the future success of our community. When you look at all of this it is an amazing and wonderful community, a community of people that care.

I come from a smaller town north of Livonia (I have been told that I am from the sticks), so I was used to a hometown feel. Livonia dwarfs the town I grew up in, how it “feels”.

I love Livonia. I love the opportunity that was presented to me by the Strumbos family and I just plain love being here. Thank you, Livonia, for the opportunities you have given to my family (and me), and to AlphaUSA, and thank you for letting us be part of the best city in a huge metropolitan area in our nation.

You gotta Love the front row seat afforded Livonia in this years Governor's race.

Livonia has always been the epicenter of political power--Ed McNamara was elected as County Executive. Robert Ficano another Livonia resident elected as County Sheriff and then County Executive. Raphael Washington was elected Wayne County Sheriff, and Mike Cox was elected as Michigan's Attorney General, and Laura Cox as Chair of the Michigan Republican Party.

Now you gotta love having two Livonia favorite sons seeking the office of Michigan Governor. We can either pull up a chair and watch or we can pick a candidate, jump in, and become a part of the process.

Democrat Jocelyn Benson is another candidate no stranger to Livonia and while not totally a hometown favorite, she has played a major role in local elections over the past several election cycles. She has to be considered the Democratic frontrunner regardless of who else gets into that primary.

The Livonia Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon last week with over 300 attendees to hear former Livonia resident, Inductee 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame, and current Detroit Mayor, Mike Duggan, share his success story. This event sparked the realization that a significant race, hopefully one addressing real and substantive issues, could very well involve former Michigan Attorney General and Livonia resident, Mike Cox.

On Facebook Cox confirms that he is indeed in the race and has kickstarted his campaign with one million dollars in his campaign coffers. ""I'm ready to put my own skin in the race before asking others to join me."

Mike Cox says he is "exploring a run for Governor because the Michigan that once allowed a carpenter’s son to achieve anything is slipping away—and if I decide to run, I’m ready to put my own skin in the race before asking others to join me in fighting for our state’s future."

Social media is already the method of communication in today's world and Mike Cox is taking to it with issues stated, like his position on DEI when he writes "How can you take seriously someone titled a professor of “University Diversity & Social Transformation Professor of Psychology, Women’s & Gender Studies?

"Do you think UM grad Larry Page and MSU grad Sergei Brinn were able to change the world when they created Google because they had been hectored by DEI informed professors who told them how to think? Or did they do so because they were grounded in math and science and the ethic of challenging assumptions?

"DEI is an ideology with all the credibility of those who think the world is flat."

This race has the potential to be exciting, but it unfortunately seems like a repeat of the 2024 issues. We encourage all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to adopt the Duggan campaign message, sharing success stories and answering the question, "What have you accomplished?" and "What will you do if elected?"



We are looking for a gubernatorial candidate who is positive, not divisive, and has a success story to share. Ask for it. Demand it. Vote like you mean it. We hope that the capable and well-liked front-runners will take this message to heart moving forward.

We often hear of the gathering place that is Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church with so many activities and community support programs. One other way that they give back is through their Stephen Ministry.

Life is hard for many of us, and our hearts can feel heavy with burdens. When we're carrying worries, sometimes talking to someone who listens without judgment and provides compassionate care is just what we need.

Stephen Ministers are there:

• After the phone call you hoped you'd never get.
• After the funeral, when everyone has left, and emotions crash in.
• After the relationship falls apart, and life feels empty.
• After the doctor says, "There's nothing more we can do."
• After the nursing home director says, "Welcome to your new home."
• After the last child leaves, and the house feels empty.
• After the gavel falls, and your loved one is led away.
• After the baby arrives, demanding more than you ever imagined.
• After you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.
• After your family and friends have heard your story one too many times.

A Stephen Minister is a highly trained pastoral care provider who will meet with you once a week for as long as it takes to work through your struggles. They are not therapists but can supplement professional therapy. They are a free alternative worth considering.

A care receiver recently wrote about her experience with a Stephen Minister:

"On November 7, a Stephen Minister showed up at my door. I was still in my hole and wasn't sure I would ever see daylight again. During our first meeting, I cried a lot and told her how I felt about God. At the end of our session, I was surprised she said she would be back next week. It took several sessions, but I knew I could see daylight. After 7 sessions, I was now standing on the edge of my hole, looking up, believing God forgave me, and I was able to forgive myself. I know now if I start to look down, I can call on my friend, and she will be there for me. I will always be eternally grateful for Stephen Ministry."

Call Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church to request a Stephen Minister at 734-422-0494 or Lorraine Paffenroth at 734-455-8213 (text or call). You can also email lorrainepaffenrothsm@yahoo.com.