FridayMusings is endorsing a Yes  vote on Nov. 6th for Schoolcraft College which will restore the educational investment to 1986 levels  - before the state rolled them back - allowing our hometown community college to reduce student debt, keep class sizes at 17 with academic counseling for job placement, and provide a state of the art learning environment.

By creating great graduates and keeping them in the state, Michigan itself grows stronger. Schoolcraft College has been a cornerstone for the growth and respect provided our hometown of Livonia. 

We have an opportunity to vote YES for Schoolcraft this November and FridayMusings encourages your support for a college providing quality of education while enhancing our quality of hometown life. 

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FridayMusings is endorsing Proposal 2 from Voters Not Politicians, a nonpartisan, grassroots campaign to end partisan redistricting in Michigan through a state constitutional amendment to establish an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.

In Michigan, politicians draw voting maps behind closed doors that directly benefit themselves, instead of putting the interests of voters or communities of Michigan first. It's called gerrymandering and it's time we end it in Michigan.

Our current system is rigged in favor of special interests, who have the power to draw and manipulate maps behind closed doors. We need to safeguard the rights of all citizens to have a voice and input in their democracy. The Voters Not Politicians proposal will do that by bringing the entire redistricting process out into the open and requires that an unfair political advantage is not given to any incumbent, candidate or party.

VOTE YES ON PROPOSAL 2 to end partisan redistricting in Michigan. Help spread the word to your friends and neighbors. It is time election maps are drawn that cannot give one party or candidate a disproportionate advantage.

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FridayMusings is endorsing Liz Jarvis, Colleen Burton, Dave Johnson  for re-election to the Livonia Board of Education. It is important that with the uncertainty of state funding, state mandates and a push for increased for-profit charter schools that we maintain stability on the local level. That stability begins and ends with the residents we elect to the Board of Education.

It is unfortunate that the State of Michigan moved our school elections to November at the same time we are electing either our Governor or our President. Local issues that should be addressed, explored and debated are pushed to the side with limited attention to the single most important definer of local quality of life ignored.

We are fortunate to have three school board members who deserve to be re-elected. Yes, there are issues that I have with the philosophical outlook on how districts should be run, such as the power placed in the hands of school administrators without appropriate input and direction from the school board. I also take strong exception to the immediacy of a school district selling off large parcels of property without adequate cooperative long range planning between the city and the schools. Property that was purchased in the 1960's and incorporated as open space in master planning which went a long way toward defining Livonia quality of life.

But with the state of Michigan effectively removing local control hometown districts are often forced to make decisions in the short term without consideration for the long term effects on neighborhoods and the community. This is the fault of a legislature that values spending more money on for-profit charter schools and corresponding less money on our historic public schools. This must stop and our local school boards need to speak up and speak out on this major issue of our time.

Regardless, FridayMusings is endorsing Jarvis, Burton and Johnson to continue the stability of leadership that is vital to continuing the stability of our hometown. The 4th candidate in the race has done no campaigning and was encouraged to run for school board at the recommendation of a member of the Livonia city council as a way to get involved. A poor recommendation. Get involved first, then run for office.

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FridayMusings is endorsing Terry Marecki for Wayne County Commissioner. Marecki has an opponent, Jason Blakenship of Northville, who FridayMusings appreciates; for his being in the race, his willingness to try and get to know the portion of the district he is not familiar with, and his progressive views on a number of issues.

But Marecki knows Livonia, our neighbors, our leaders, our culture. Her service includes serving on the Livonia Board of Education, Livonia City Council, Livonia City Clerk, two terms as a member of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. On balance Marecki is one of us, visible at hometown activities for years, supportive of the organizations that define Livonia, and in the words of Mayor Dennis Wright, "she is dedicated to Livonia and has proven this over and over again through decisions she has made. Decisions that matter to this great city and its citizens. 

Marecki works well with our other Livonia County Commissioner, Diane Webb, giving Livonia a problem solving duo; a common sense approach to governance. With husband Mark, Marecki has raised raised 4 children and is the grandmother of 4 boys. All of her children have attended Livonia Public Schools.

The choice is clear. Livonia has a county commissioner that knows and understands Livonia. Terry Marecki deserves to be re-elected to continue seeing that Livonia receives the funding we deserve and to serve as our Wayne County watchdog.

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