In my 60 years of involvement in politics, I have witnessed two types of candidates: one who is simply out for themselves or one who is actively supportive of the community as the primary reason they are running.

Residents of Livonia should closely follow the highly contentious local election to determine the future direction of our hometown's jewel, Schoolcraft College.

A lively debate has sprung up in social media about the Joan Gebhardt-Candy Little contest for Schoolcraft College Trustee. Both opponents and supporters of Joan weigh in, including some that are critical of Friday Musings for my coverage of the college’s investigation of Gebhardt’s conduct, which found her to have been responsible for bullying, intimidating, and harassing subordinate staff and leadership alike before she resigned in early 2023 to avoid an investigation. 

But it’s still a fair question to ask why the other 6 Trustees, and the Executive Board of the Faculty Forum, representing Schoolcraft’s teachers, are unanimously supporting Candy Little?

In a recent communication, additional anecdotes were shared by two college officials, who requested anonymity out of concern for retribution by Gebhardt should she be re-elected. When the Child Care Center on campus was closed in the summer of 2021, then Chair of the Board of Trustees Joan Gebhardt imposed her will and received reluctant permission for her to take two SUVs- loads of toys, games, and furniture from the Center, ostensibly because her son and grandson were moving back to Michigan. Also, when the renovation of the Vista Tech Building and American Harvest Restaurant was starting, Gebhardt took tables and chairs before the other furniture was moved to the Jeffries Center.

The obvious point to be made of this, and as also revealed in the Investigation Report concerning other situations, is that Gephardt often pursued a personal agenda by using her authority as Trustee and sometimes Chair of the Board, and imposed her will for personal benefit. 

These examples have prompted the college to review and update college policies, procedures, and its Code of Conduct to prevent such self-dealing in the future.

These additional disappointing stories provide further compelling reasons why Candy Little enjoys widespread bi-partisan support and is a part of helping Schoolcraft move on from the controversies of one candidate who has disrupted the smooth operation of a topnotch college recognized across the state as one of if not the best in Michigan.

But as always the ultimate choice is yours. Study. Engage. Vote. FridayMusings will be voting for Candy Little. The choice is yours.

What an amazing accomplishment for Dr. Kate Mackie! A story of persistence in following a passion!

Sunday, September 29th, Dr. Kate Mackie, along with friends, family, and community members from throughout Livonia and the congregation of Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church, was installed and ordained.

Kate Mackie grew up in Farmington Hills as the youngest of 5 children to Jim and Lois Mackie and was raised at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Livonia. Kate attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and playing varsity softball all four years. She then pursued a Master of Science in Sports Management from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. After spending a few years as a college softball and basketball coach, Kate soon responded to the call into the seminary, beginning her pre-doctoral work in 2008 in the Master of Divinity program at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. She eventually earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from ETS in 2014 and has served as adjunct faculty in the Doctoral Program since 2015.

Kate is an ordained Elder and Deacon in the PC(USA). She completed her Commissioned Pastor certification through the Presbytery of Detroit and was commissioned to the ministry of Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church (RGPC) in March 2018. Kate had been serving the RGPC congregation since 2013, when she was hired as their Director of Youth Ministries, and she still maintains that title to this day.

Feeling somewhat incomplete in her call, Kate once again went under the care of the Detroit Presbytery in 2019, where she completed the final requirements to become eligible to receive a call to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

Aside from her ministerial duties, Kate also serves the City of Livonia as a Member of their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Chaplain to the Livonia Fire Department. She is also trained and certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and is a member of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Kate also serves as a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Trinity Health- Livonia (St. Mary’s Hospital).

Kate can be found working in her yard, cooking for family and friends, reading, or backpacking on her beloved Isle Royale in Lake Superior when not serving her congregation or the city.

An incredible milestone for an incredible lady. Congratulations Dr. Kate Mackie.